Myler combination bits

[MummyEms]

Any reviews please good or bad?
My horse and I love bitless but sometimes need that extra brake power when jumping... this seems to use a bitless ask first and then the bit (comfy ported myler in her situation) kicks in if she ignores it.
She's an ex racer ex NH horse who I've had for years and do a bit of everything with. She's my forever horse and very forward

 

[TheMule]

I like them, have worked well for a couple of mine

 

[MummyEms]

I like them, have worked well for a couple of mine

Thanks so much. Can you tell much of a difference when the bit kicks in or does it feel the same to the rider?

 

[TheMule]

Thanks so much. Can you tell much of a difference when the bit kicks in or does it feel the same to the rider?

Feels the same- they can be a bit 'blunt' in terms of fine tuned steering but I've found the short shank a nice step up from a snaffle if just needing a fraction more. I pad the nose part as it's quite hard- either sheepskin or a prolite gel pad

 

[gryff]

I've ridden my Welsh Cob in one for about 18 years now. I absolutely love it and it definitely made the difference between me having to sell him and, now, having had him for nearly 20 years.
He developed, as a 6 year old, an awful habit of spinning sharply and buggering off home at speed. Sometimes with me aboard, sometimes not. I tried lots of different things, but massively lost my confidence. Spent many a ride hunched over his neck, my partner at my side with a lead rope attached to the bit, terrified.
Bought Myler Combination after reading about them, put it on, took him out and when he tried to spin, just a little bit of opposite hand stopped him in his tracks completely. Was an absolute miracle worker.
Every now and then I take him out of it, as I think about the lovely Bridles that I've got so put the noseband on, and almost straightaway, he tries his old trick.
Best buy ever for me.

 

[MummyEms]

I've ridden my Welsh Cob in one for about 18 years now. I absolutely love it and it definitely made the difference between me having to sell him and, now, having had him for nearly 20 years.
He developed, as a 6 year old, an awful habit of spinning sharply and buggering off home at speed. Sometimes with me aboard, sometimes not. I tried lots of different things, but massively lost my confidence. Spent many a ride hunched over his neck, my partner at my side with a lead rope attached to the bit, terrified.
Bought Myler Combination after reading about them, put it on, took him out and when he tried to spin, just a little bit of opposite hand stopped him in his tracks completely. Was an absolute miracle worker.
Every now and then I take him out of it, as I think about the lovely Bridles that I've got so put the noseband on, and almost straightaway, he tries his old trick.
Best buy ever for me.

Wow that's great for you then. Did you try many other bits before? What do you think it is about it that helps so much? Xx

 

[Caol Ila]

I bought one because my Highland had no steering in a normal bit when I first bought him. He would (and sometimes still does when schooling) plough down on your hand or turn through it. I knew that he had been initially backed in a Dually and he was good to handle on the ground in a rope halter, so hoped the combination effect would explain what the bit meant. It made a huge difference. He went well in it. Responsive. Had steering and brakes. Once he was established in the Myler, I changed him to more a standard bit because I wanted him to learn how to come into the contact, and I am not sure that the Myler combination does that. As far as I understand how it works, the noseband always engages first, then the bit kicks in if you put on more pressure. I couldn't see how that would encourage the horse to actually seek contact, as the noseband makes them (well, it made mine) want to back off the hand.

 

[MummyEms]

I bought one because my Highland had no steering in a normal bit when I first bought him. He would (and sometimes still does when schooling) plough down on your hand or turn through it. I knew that he had been initially backed in a Dually and he was good to handle on the ground in a rope halter, so hoped the combination effect would explain what the bit meant. It made a huge difference. He went well in it. Responsive. Had steering and brakes. Once he was established in the Myler, I changed him to more a standard bit because I wanted him to learn how to come into the contact, and I am not sure that the Myler combination does that. As far as I understand how it works, the noseband always engages first, then the bit kicks in if you put on more pressure. I couldn't see how that would encourage the horse to actually seek contact, as the noseband makes them (well, it made mine) want to back off the hand.

In what way did yours back off the hand? Light in hand or behind vertical?

 

[MummyEms]

Can it go on to any bridle? For instance a micklem bridle?

 

[dixie]

I used one many years ago.
my horse was quite heavy in the hand and low in his head carriage. He felt lovely and light in this but totally backed off his jumps and didn’t take me forward as he normally did. As I mostly jumped in those days, I ditched the bit.
I can see that it would be useful in other situations.

 

[Caol Ila]

In what way did yours back off the hand? Light in hand or behind vertical?

Light in the hand. It felt nice, to be honest, but if you wanted him to stretch his neck down and forward to seek contact or follow it as you lengthened the reins, no chance.

He has quite a high neck set and a beautiful arched neck, so he can fake roundness with the best of them. Being in a beautiful, elevated frame but feeling like a plywood board through his back is his signature move. Trying to get him to stretch his topline is therefore my current challenge. The Myler did a good job establishing steering and reliable brakes, but it is totally useless at encouraging stretching and softness.

 

[Caol Ila]

Can it go on to any bridle? For instance a micklem bridle?

It can go on any bridle without a noseband. The noseband or cavesson on a bridle will get in the way.

 

[gryff]

Tried loads of other bits first and bit less. Nothing stopped him from spinning and then having no brakes whatsoever. The Myler was just so effective as it works in multiple ways, so the nose pressure, then chin. Then the bit and pressure on the poll. The longer cheeks just applied the right sort of pressure in mine.

 

[MummyEms]

I've ordered one. Hope it works for jumping like yours have

 

[ponios]

I have a horse that is really fussy in the mouth and he loves it- I think he likes that its a combination rather than just pressure in the mouth. He isn't in it for needing extra control or anything though so cant comment on that front

 

[9tails]

Can it go on to any bridle? For instance a micklem bridle?

It won't fit a micklem because the combi bit has a noseband and chin strap that the micklem bridle will interfere with. So don't be surprised to find you need a new bridle.