oh for bits sake !!!

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gwniver

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I have tried every bit under the sun !!
Loose rings
Eggbuts
French link
Happy mouths
Mullun mouths
Full cheek
Copper mouth
I even tried a gag yesterday and he went well in it but I want to try to keep his mouth light
He love hackamore's but he is to strong for them
He likes a gag
He was driven when he was younger so I was thinking about trying a driveing bit
Sorry iam just kinda frustrated
Tea for anyone who got though that
 
What is the problem bitting wise/what are you wanting the bit to achieve? What noseband is he in? Has he had his teeth checked? How old is he?
 
have you considered a peewee bit. They are a little different to regular bits and you might find it works (and even if it doesnt they hold their price brillianly for resale)
 
What does the horse do to make you think he doesn't like the bits you are trying? IMO a horse that won't 'accept' a list of bits like that has another issue - either physical or schooling.

Remember gags and driving bits just multiply the strength you use - you pulling the reins with 2lb of force on a gag will feel like 50lb of force to the horse. Usually it's not that a horse 'prefers' them, it's that it makes the riders rein aids much stronger.
 
He has just turned 5 I have tried a magic snaffle but kept throwing his head , he did this in all straight bar snaffles.
He has had his teeth checked and just has a loose caveson as a noseband .
I would like to do a bit of everything , he is quiet strong and will try to tank of home (I am working on this)
I just want to find a bit that he is comfortable in :-)
 
What does he do to make you think he is not comfortable in any of the one's you've tried so far?
 
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also I do want to do a bit of dressage and am looking at getting a classical instructor in
I know gag bit are harsh that's why I am trying to keep away from them =)
 
Try a myler comfort snaffle with a 04 mouth, it has a very small port to make room for his tongue and can't collapse in his mouth and pinch his tongue. My 6 year old goes well in hers. I use the top hooks to hold it in position and if I need a little bit more control use the bottom hooks for a little leverage.
 
aren't Waterford's really harsh ( sorry must sound like I am just saying no to everyone suggestions , I am not honest =~)

I am looking at a peewee bit
 
I am sad to say the last time I rode with 2 reins I somehow managed to tie them in a knot :o
(que my old pony giving me a strange look and a long suffering sigh
 
Some horses really, really object to metal bits. Have you tried a rubber or nylon bit? Or bit wrap a metal one to see if it makes a difference.

I used a copper full cheek waterford on my youngster, she loved it. I ride very light though. Any bit is only as harsh as the rider's hands.
 
Have you tried a hanging cheek? if your horse likes gags it may be the bits positioning in his mouth. Mine hated eggbutt cheeks but settled straight away with hanging cheeks. These both had French link mouth pieces.

I now alternate between a Cambridge mouth Pelham with two reins and a French link hanging cheek depending on what we are doing, though I have to say she prefers the Pelham. Hth
 
is riding on the big ring of a gag the same as a hanging cheek ??

I have tried : rubber happy mouth, copper sweet iron and plain old metel
 
Have you had him checked by a physio/chiro to look at potential poll/neck issues? If he's been driven in the past his musculature will be quite different to that required when riding so may need to be taken right back to basics to slowly redevelop his muscles.

In your shoes, I'd contact your nearest bit bank after physio checks and get advice from them & take a number of bits on trial - think they're 30 days to plenty of time to see what works.

Try a driving bit and see what he's like in that as it may give you some clues as to whether it's the bit that's the issue or something else.
 
yeah I was coming to that conclusion as well , I will get a phyiso out asap , oh just another thing , he hasn't had his wolf teeth out could that effect things ??
 
Depends I think - one if mine has tiny wolf teeth tucked up inside the others and apparently will never need those out

The other had huge great wolf teeth and had his out - before he chomped on his bit madly - after he was as sweet as a nut - I felt terribly guilty for not having them out before a bit went near him
 
Driving horses tend to have quite strong bits which a fair amount of curb action, such as this:

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Liverpool_Driving_Bit_with_2_Slots-(485).aspx

It is possible that having been driven in a strong bit, that he does not respond to the soft action of a snaffle because he is not used to it, and it is easier to get away with being disobedient.

You mentioned that he went well in gag, which suggests that it might not be a physical problem, but rather that he needs to be re-trained to accept a softer bit. What type of training do you do with him normally? Have you tried lunging him with side reins?
 
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I would think training or pain issue as well.

Personally, I use a sweet iron D ring snaffle with lozenge, pricey but I don't think I will ever need another bit:
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=192&xSec=43
You can probably find similar one from a less expensive brand, I got mine second hand from e-bay.

What do you do when he throws his head? If not already doing it, you need to teach him to give and soften, so not release the pressure before he has given to you. My mare is not mega strong, but when she tries to tank off hacking out, I sort of use lateral work, it is much harder work for her to gallop askew so she has to slow down. I change the bend every now and then so she does not get stronger on one side.
 
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