Myler combination Bit

[basilbrush2009]

what are your thoughts and experiences on the Myler combination bit?

Would you say it is a severe bit?

are they Cross country and showjumping legal?

 

[gryff]

I LOVE mine. Really helped with steering and control. I think it's effective rather than harsh as the action is spread over different areas.

 

[Enfys]

I have no idea about the legality of them, I can't see why they should be illegal, there are more severe combo bits used I am sure. If a Rockwell or Citation can be used (at least it used too be legal, I think Murphy Himself was just about holdable in one) then a myler combination certainly should be.

My opinions, some horses like them, others don't - same as always, any bit is harsh in harsh hands I hunted an arab in a LS because it was the only bit that seemed to connect his brain to his legs at parties. God knows I tried plenty of others. I will be eternally grateful to the friend who suggested it as I had dismissed it as looking too severe.

I like them personally, the stopper on the top ring is very good. I padded the nose and chinbands with sheepskin as my horse found the rawhide too hard, and I rode with double reins too.

2002 Article in H&H about combination bits:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1370/35596.html

 

[Daytona]

Yes you can use them BS and XC BE. I used one on my mare, it's harsh in the wrong hands, but then so can a snaffle be.

I took a good few bits till I tried this and if something was too strong simples she would refuse to go forward and would rear. Eventually tried this and it really helped my control , I had to take a gentle check and she would come back to me. For her I think it was the fact the nose action come in first before mouth, I think she would if liked a hack more but never tried one as lack of steering. For me and my horse it worked well. And in a snaffle she was a tank.

 

[Daytona]

Ps I actually happened to ring Myler up when one if the brothers was there and spoke to him about it, make SURE you tie a bit of string from centre nose band to brown band to stop the nose band falling down, as you can do alot of damage if it slips down nose on to soft part and you pull the reins, it shows you on website how to do it, and because it rope it will work its ways down. I see so many folks using it without doing this and it makes me cringe. He told me its a must..! I was lucky as he was here doing promo work, the reason I rang as after a month the mouth bit went rusty looking so I rang them to ask if it was faulty turns out the short shank combi is meant to go rusty looking its oxidising or something along that lines, and he explained all about it and its fitting.

 

[Rebels]

Pony club illegal last time I checked.

 

[Enfys]

Ps I actually happened to ring Myler up when one if the brothers was there and spoke to him about it, make SURE you tie a bit of string from centre nose band to brown band to stop the nose band falling down, as you can do alot of damage if it slips down nose on to soft part and you pull the reins, it shows you on website how to do it, and because it rope it will work its ways down. I see so many folks using it without doing this and it makes me cringe. He told me its a must..! I was lucky as he was here doing promo work, the reason I rang as after a month the mouth bit went rusty looking so I rang them to ask if it was faulty turns out the short shank combi is meant to go rusty looking its oxidising or something along that lines, and he explained all about it and its fitting.

Interesting, and logical, but, unless things have changed since I bought my bit 10 odd years ago, why ever is this not part of the design?

 

[Daytona]

I'm not sure enfys ..?? Makes sense to be. I think that you can shape the raw hide nose part to fit very tight around the nose which would hopefully keep it in place but gosh I'd not take the risk, he said potentially you could suffocate the horse :-(