Please help with bit suggestions for fussy mouth

[muffinthemule]

Any suggestions gratefully received! Pone is 7yo eventer, currently doing BSJA and BD over winter. Can be quite fussy to the contact - shows his resistance via the bit - open mouth, crunching, tilting head etc. and has a tendancy to "bear down" and get heavy in the canter. Back, teeth etc all checked and aok.

Have tried a KK, loose ring french link, loose ring single joint, happy mouth etc etc.

Goes best in Nathe loose ring but this can rub his mouth at times (very soft) or sometimes in the JP bits but still not as settles as he is in the hackamore (no fuss at all).

Thanks

 

[teddyt]

Look at his mouth conformation and then look for a bit. He may have a very fat tongue, low roof of mouth, etc which you need to know before you can try a bit. By knowing his mouth conformation you will be making a more informed choice.

Also, could he have wolf teeth under the gum or bone spurs on the bars of his mouth? Would need a good equine vet or dentist to check this.

 

[scm]

We have a similar 5yo and have had some sucess with a happy mouth loose ring with the little lozenge in the middle,with rubber bit guards (except for dressage)...But as above ours had 2 blind wolf teeth that had to be removed that were spotted on the vetting.

 

[peanut]

My fussy mouthed mare goes best in a straight bar loose ring happy mouth. She doesn't like jointed bits but its all down to size of the tongue/mouth etc.

 

[MardyMare]

no help sorry - but my mare is the same and also found the nathe to be the best. she does tend to get a bit heavy sometimes but this is def the best bit. I share your frustration

 

[Cyberchick]

I have found Myler helped tremendously with my horse due to shape. I would see if you could borrow a Myler or similar bit that is shaped to the mouth and gives room for the tongue and see what happens to start with.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

my boy will only go in the neue schule team up bit.anything else and he goes REALLY behind the contact (and thus eventually, behind the leg) and gets really sucked back at me.

 

[FriendlyGinger]

Myler snaffle worked wonders with my little mare. She is strong but she has calmed down so much. When I need extra hold, I swop nosebands now rather than bits.

 

[dkwp]

Try phoning the neue schule bit helpline. I found the lady really helpful and the bit she suggested has worked really well. My horse used to pull his head back to his chest to avoid the bit but he know takes it happily and is much more relaxed.