Re-training Racer - bit and noseband query.

[EMC]

Hey all,

I've had Freddie now for a month and now we have a suitable saddle I have started some basic ridden work, walk/trot/halt transitions and some bending.

I've had him in his old bridle which I used when he was in training. It has no noseband and I use a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge and the little rubber round bits to stop the bit being pulled through his mouth.

Whilst riding the other day it was noted that when we halted he was very quick to put his tongue over the bit and generally mouthing around. I have been riding him on a relatively loose contact to keep him relaxed but a little tighter than I would have done when in the pointing yard.

I have been told a noseband with either a flash or grackle would solve this .....what are your recommendations? What are the merits of each noseband? Would an alternative bit encourage him to keep his tongue in the right place? Is there anything I should be doing differently?

I'm reluctant to strap his mouth shut as we never needed it before but obviously we are not going up the gallops now and both have to learn to do things differently!

Thank-you in advance.

 

[montysmum1]

I'd want to get his teeth checked first to see if he's putting his tongue over the bit to ease any discomfort. If he is sore, strapping his mouth shut will make it worse x

 

[Cuppatea]

if he is doing it that quickli i would wonder whether the bit is high enough in his mouth..

 

[JB George]

Hi,
I've had my ex racer (National Hunt) for a year now and the best thing i did on the advice of my trainer was to stop using a loose ring snaffle (what he was trained in) and try a french link, which was a revelation as it had a much better action than the snaffle .
I now have him in a Neu Schule team up/lozenge bit, which is similar but is made of salox which is meant to help salivation, which he loves and does unaffiliated dressage, ROR showing, showjumping and hacking in and he has never bogged off in ( i have deffo just jinxed myself!)
As regards everything else, keep in simple, due to me spending a lot of time doing flat work/hacking before i started the fun stuff i.e. jumping, he is balanced and relatively straight and so apart from the Neu Schule bit, he's in a cavesson noseband and no martingale. Hope this helps!

 

[Cazzah]

I have my ex racer in a full cheek snaffle with a copper roller which he goes well in for everything from dressage to xc. I use a drop noseband which has been a revelation - only comes into action if he sets against it or opens his mouth.

 

[zaminda]

I would look at whether the bit was high enough, and have teeth checked. Did he used to put his tongue over the bit when in training?I like french links,and do like nosebands, a cross is my preference, but only when teeth etc checked.

 

[Ibblebibble]

if he is doing it that quickli i would wonder whether the bit is high enough in his mouth..

my first thoughts too, getting his teeth checked can never be a bad thing either unless you know they were done in the last few months

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Whoever suggested strapping the horses mouth shut with a Grackle or Flash Strap needs a kick up the bum! Yes it is a short term solution to a long term problem! Check teeth and then play around with various bits until you find one he likes. Mine go quite nicely in Jointed Full cheek snaffles and the other prefers a French Link.

 

[chestnutmarelover]

Defo get teeth checked first. Despite having tried many bits with my ex racer he is not happy with any of them and hates having his mouth strapped shut, is very very stressy/fussy with mouth. Last try was a leather covered loose ring snaffle with worcester noseband to stop him gettin tongue over but now I am sticking with Rambo Micklem bridle (with 2nd bitless option) which he is soooo much happier with If he has a stressy moment he just flaps his lips around then the moment passes (usually causes alot of amusement if with another rider but I think this helps him chill again ) I love my strange tb

 

[Carefreegirl]

Mines in a NS hanging cheek lozenge snaffle and a micklem bridle. For showing NS jointed Pelham and plain cavesson.

 

[EMC]

Thank you all for your replies, some great bits of advice.

Rode again last night and re-checked his bridle to ensure the bit was high enough and ended up putting it up a hole higher than normal. This seemed to work well so hopefully that is our (simple) answer.

I have booked him for an 'MOT' so he will be having his teeth done shortly as well as the physio out to check for any other problems he may have.

I've heard great things about these NS bits, where do you buy yours? They look lovely but are mega expensive in our local tack shop!

Just out of interest - what are the noseband rules for ridden or working hunter? I've been told he looks the part and that this may be a good class for us to gain experience in.