Mikmar bits - anybody used one??

[sfward]

Just been reading about the Mikmar bits on www.mikmar.com - has anybody out there used one or know of anyone who has? In particular the short shank/pelham/snaffles as opposed to the combination bit...

If so I would be very interested to know how you found them, and whether there is a particular style which might help get a horse off its forehand facilitating more engagement and a lighter contact?

 

[mat]

I have only seen the combination ones, they look really scary but the horse it was on looked very happy in it!

I think they are expensive though!

 

[dixie]

I found the Myler combinatiion bit helped a lot with the lighter contact and getting the horse of the forehand but I have no experience of the Mikmar. No help at all really!

 

[Peanot]

My friend used one on her horse for a couple of months, then changed back to her old bit as it was too strong for her horse and it started backing off its fences. Might have something to do with her way of riding though.

 

[sfward]

Out of interest I emailed them to ask what they would recommend, here's the reply:

"The Watson 3 Ring is very good for elevating in the front. Also, the one we just call the Short Shank is a good all-around solution to similar situations. But by far the most interesting choice would be our Flexion Combo. It is the ultimate in lateral and vertical flexion. You would probably want a 5" in the jointed mouthpiece, which are 2 weeks on back order. We do ship direct to the UK now off the website."

There's a picture of the last one here: http://www.mikmar.com/bit-pages/flexioncombo-bit.html
(I can't work out how to paste photos into posts...?!) I'm not sure it's available to hire over here though and it's $174, bit expensive for an experiment methinks!

 

[the watcher]

I do have some experience of these bits and have sold them in the past. However I am no longer involved in sales so what you get is my opinion and not a sales pitch!

For a greater understanding of how the Mikmar works you could ask Mikmar or one of their UK outlets to send you a DVD (there might be a small charge). This is very comprehensive, of course it is a selling tool, but does explain very well how the mouth piece and various cheek options can work for you and your horse. Although at first sight the bits appear to be bulky and a bit mediaeval, there is some real common sense in the designs. The mouthpiece is a lightweight broad plate, designed on a tilt to lay diagonally in the mouth along the tongue, presenting a broad bar on the bars, therefore it can be a mild bit - there are curved and jointed options depending on your discipline and the shape of your horse's mouth. The combination bit aims to provide mild pressure across the poll, over the nose, through the bars and through the curb, there is no one single point of resistance. The only observation I would make about this bit is that you need to be as lighthanded as if you were using a hackamore, as you must give the rein with compliance to release pressure over the nose. Ideally this bit is used with two reins, one in a snaffle position and one attached to the nose rope. I would discourage any novice rider from buying one of these as they simply are unlikely to be independent enough in their hands.

The combination was the original bit, those with more conventional cheek arrangements were introduced to satisfy a market that demanded more conventional bits for showing and equitation classes. The mouthpiece is the same broad bar with a copper roller and the cheeks would give you much the same action as any other bit you use now. Personally I think they are a bit of a compromise, however horses seem to be happy in them (as long as the bars in the mouth are wide enough)

The only problem I have noticed with use is that they must be washed thoroughly after every use, there are a lot of moving parts in the mouthpiece and they can get grubby and a bit stuck if you aren't scrupulous about bit cleaning.

There are several outlets, you could try here for more information, she may do a 48 hours trial on a bit too (ie you pay in full but get a refund minus p+p if not suitable)

 

[sfward]

Hi, thanks very much for your reply, really appreciate it. They have some videos on their website which I've watched, all the horses do seem very happy and nice and wet in their mouths which appealed to me; guess the copper roller helps with that. It's good to get people's opinions though as it's such a 'different' style and they are very expensive. Which one do you think might be suitable for a youngster with a small mouth and low palate who likes to lean on your hands?!
Also do you know if they are dressage legal in the snaffle versions? I suspect not due to the roller...?!

 

[the watcher]

Correct, not dressage legal - for starters you have 3 different metals, copper roller, alloy mouthpiece and stainless steel cheeks (except the combo which is all alloy to keep it light) One dressage rider has got round this by having the roller removed, he trains with a conventional Mikmar, and then just pops in the one without the roller for the test. The same principle can apply with the combo - use that for all your schooling then pop in a Mikmar with more conventional cheek pieces for your show - the horse has the same feeling in the mouth and by the time it has worked out that the nose rope isn't there your round is finished anyway. Can get expensive though!

As for the youngster that leans, I would go for a D cheek, something very simple, and a jointed mouthpiece..although it looks bulky because it lays flat on the tongue if you look at the profile of the mouthpiece it can occupy less space than many more conventional snaffles. You will find that your horse is so engrossed in playing with the copper roller it becomes lighter in front.

Good luck, let us know how you get on (and speak to Leslie, she has many years of experience)