Really struggling with a bit for my New Forest

[peanutsmumma]

My boy is 6yrs old, I've had him from 7 months so broke him in myself.
He was broken in a decathlon bridle and a sweet iron lozenge snaffle.
I always felt the bit was too chunky for him.

I tried him in a few different bits but never felt anything really suited him.

This year I decided to get a bit specialist out, we tried various different bits and she suggested a single jointed, curved bar loose ring. He went awful in it but she thought it was best suited to his mouth confirmation (low palate, big tounge)
she also suggested getting his 'tiny' wolf tooth removed, which I did.

I hacked him out for a few weeks so he could get used to the bit and then gradually started schooling him .......he hated it!!

I then changed his bridle to a horsemanship anatomical one.

I was recommended to try a bomber happy tongue, tried it ....he hated it.

I then contacted expert bits who have been brilliant with trying to help me.
They suggested trying their comfy mouth barrel, tried it last night, again, my boy hated it.

he goes around with his mouth wide open and rolls his tongue back and forth.

Does anyone have any other suggestions I can try?

I wanted to enter him in to a low level dressage comp at the end of the month but It would be a waste of time at the moment with the way he is.

 

[rabatsa]

I would try a plain mullen mouthpiece, your horse may not like jointed bits.

 

[dixie]

Have you tried a different material such as rubber or Nathe?
Have you tried bitless to see if it’s the actual bit or not ?

 

[horses for life]

You said that your horse, when he is ridden opens his mouth. Have you tried a flash on him before? The flash might help close his mouth so he isn't opening it when he his ridden.

 

[webble]

Mine hated every bit I ever tried him in and would curl up, he also hated bitless! I had a bitting lady out and we tried a few options including a sprenger duo which he is great in, no curling up and it doesnt splinter or go brittle or get chew marks the way a happy mouth does

 

[dixie]

Also you could try another bit specialist.

I tried one who mainly did Bombers and we settled on a single jointed bit but I didn’t last long with it. Like your horse mine would roll his tongue back and twist his head.

I had another bit specialist who had a lot more variety and we settled on a Nueue Schule Tranz Angled and he was much better.
He was also better in a Micklem bridle.

 

[follysienna]

What cheeks have you tried? My mare will only go in a hanging cheek, I think she likes the stability of it. She hates eggbuts, loose rings etc.

 

[Clodagh]

You said that your horse, when he is ridden opens his mouth. Have you tried a flash on him before? The flash might help close his mouth so he isn't opening it when he his ridden.

Please no! Strapping their mouth shut may hide the problem but best to try and fix it.

 

[Hallo2012]

i have a tricky mouthed one (Teeny head, takes a 4 or 4.25 bit, big tongue and fleshy cheeks)

try a narrow plastic nathe (not a thick rubber one)

Bomber blue plastic ported -its a diff shape to the bomber happy togue (forelock and load trial these, the only people that do)

little magic snaffle-the small ringed small ported one, normally £12 off ebay. this is my boys ultimate favourite he goes beautifully in it.

 

[peanutsmumma]

I would try a plain mullen mouthpiece, your horse may not like jointed bits.

I've tried one.....still the same!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You said that your horse, when he is ridden opens his mouth. Have you tried a flash on him before? The flash might help close his mouth so he isn't opening it when he his ridden.

This is not a good idea his opening his mouth for a reason clamping it shut does not solve the issue it just makes the horse even more uncomfortable.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

i have a tricky mouthed one (Teeny head, takes a 4 or 4.25 bit, big tongue and fleshy cheeks)

try a narrow plastic nathe (not a thick rubber one)

Bomber blue plastic ported -its a diff shape to the bomber happy togue (forelock and load trial these, the only people that do)

little magic snaffle-the small ringed small ported one, normally £12 off ebay. this is my boys ultimate favourite he goes beautifully in it.

Yes magic snaffle it was the only thing Arabi liked as a young horse he also went so well in it lovely cheap little bits definitely worked for us.

Now his older his more tolerant and he likes a hanging cheek lozenge or a barrel type bit.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

You said that your horse, when he is ridden opens his mouth. Have you tried a flash on him before? The flash might help close his mouth so he isn't opening it when he his ridden.

How about you put your hand on the hot stove top, and then when you go to remove your hand as a reaction to the pain, you get someone to tie your hand down to it so you have no choice.

That is about what you have just suggested

 

[Bobthecob15]

I was going to suggest expert bits as they are fantastic, will they not come out to you? Could try a few then?

 

[Barton Bounty]

@Peregrine Falcon is a guru. She will be along soon with an idea

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I was going to suggest expert bits as they are fantastic, will they not come out to you? Could try a few then?

She has had one bit person out but the bit didn't work pony hates it

 

[Bobthecob15]

She has had one bit person out but the bit didn't work pony hates it

No I think they did an online consultation from what she said...depending on where you are they can come out in person. Expert bits only sell their own, the bit person who came won't have had their bits I don't think x

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

OK so your pony is 6yo.

I was rather expecting someone on here to suggest having your pony's teeth checked. Also I'd recommend a saddle-fitting check and a back check as well. This pony is probably going through a growth spurt; mine did at this time, and between the ages of 4yo (just backed) and 10yo which she is now, we've outgrown two bridles and had to change saddles three times!!

I feel that before doing anything about the bitting situation, you need to check if there is any discomfort anywhere, especially the teeth, yes, but also head, neck, shoulders & back area. If he is uncomfortable in his mouth for whatever reason then he will be holding himself tensely, and this can then affect other areas too.

Also your saddle may be pinching him now that he will be growing and developing topline.

(Edited: PLEASE please pleese do not even think about clamping his mouth shut. It won't help, it will make things a lot worse. I betcha this issue is a pain/discomfort one and if you find the root of that, you will have gone a long way to solving the issue).

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

No I think they did an online consultation from what she said...depending on where you are they can come out in person. Expert bits only sell their own, the bit person who came won't have had their bits I don't think x

Oh ok I didn't know it was an online consultation not heard of those bits am off to look now thank you

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

OK so your pony is 6yo.

I was rather expecting someone on here to suggest having your pony's teeth checked. Also I'd recommend a saddle-fitting check and a back check as well. This pony is probably going through a growth spurt; mine did at this time, and between the ages of 4yo (just backed) and 10yo which she is now, we've outgrown two bridles and had to change saddles three times!!

I feel that before doing anything about the bitting situation, you need to check if there is any discomfort anywhere, especially the teeth, yes, but also head, neck, shoulders & back area. If he is uncomfortable in his mouth for whatever reason then he will be holding himself tensely, and this can then affect other areas too.

Also your saddle may be pinching him now that he will be growing and developing topline.

(Edited: PLEASE please pleese do not even think about clamping his mouth shut. It won't help, it will make things a lot worse. I betcha this issue is a pain/discomfort one and if you find the root of that, you will have gone a long way to solving the issue).

I did think about teeth check as well and often back or saddle issues can translate through the mouth good shout.

 

[Ouch05]

I have had two recommend bit people to my 6 year old. Both where excellent first time horse was 4 and we found one that he liked but he suggest that the saddle was not helping. Changed the saddle and also the bridle to a horsemanship one. Roll on two years and I felt he was not happy again. A different lady this time who took ages with us we tried loads and worked out quickly what he hated. We found one I tried for a month but not right we tried another which is the one he is currently in. On paper it is totally wrong for his month shape but he likes it. He does open his mouth a little but he is relaxed through his neck and body. I have never been marked down or even had it commented on in dressage.

My point being a) just because the science states it is the correct size, shape etc does mean they will like it and b) please do not add a flash these are cruel when clearly your lovely horse is trying to say hey mum this is not comfortable.

 

[peanutsmumma]

OK so your pony is 6yo.

I was rather expecting someone on here to suggest having your pony's teeth checked. Also I'd recommend a saddle-fitting check and a back check as well. This pony is probably going through a growth spurt; mine did at this time, and between the ages of 4yo (just backed) and 10yo which she is now, we've outgrown two bridles and had to change saddles three times!!

I feel that before doing anything about the bitting situation, you need to check if there is any discomfort anywhere, especially the teeth, yes, but also head, neck, shoulders & back area. If he is uncomfortable in his mouth for whatever reason then he will be holding himself tensely, and this can then affect other areas too.

Also your saddle may be pinching him now that he will be growing and developing topline.

(Edited: PLEASE please pleese do not even think about clamping his mouth shut. It won't help, it will make things a lot worse. I betcha this issue is a pain/discomfort one and if you find the root of that, you will have gone a long way to solving the issue).

He had his teeth done in April, his saddle checked last week and the physio in June. All were absolutely fine!

 

[Clodagh]

He had his teeth done in April, his saddle checked last week and the physio in June. All were absolutely fine!

Have you tried bitless? Just to confirm that it is the bit?

 

[peanutsmumma]

Have you tried bitless? Just to confirm that it is the bit?

No....this is my next option to try at the weekend

 

[Clodagh]

No....this is my next option to try at the weekend

Worth a go. Good luck.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Hasn't got a wolf tooth has he??

 

[peanutsmumma]

Hasn't got a wolf tooth has he??

He had a teeny tiny one that I had removed in may

 

[Tarragon]

I do wonder if it is the contact they are evading sometimes, rather than the bit per sae. Perhaps you do have a good bit for him, but he just hasn't learnt to really accept the bit and the contact?

 

[tda]

OK so your pony is 6yo.

I was rather expecting someone on here to suggest having your pony's teeth checked. Also I'd recommend a saddle-fitting check and a back check as well. This pony is probably going through a growth spurt; mine did at this time, and between the ages of 4yo (just backed) and 10yo which she is now, we've outgrown two bridles and had to change saddles three times!!

I feel that before doing anything about the bitting situation, you need to check if there is any discomfort anywhere, especially the teeth, yes, but also head, neck, shoulders & back area. If he is uncomfortable in his mouth for whatever reason then he will be holding himself tensely, and this can then affect other areas too.

Also your saddle may be pinching him now that he will be growing and developing topline.

(Edited: PLEASE please pleese do not even think about clamping his mouth shut. It won't help, it will make things a lot worse. I betcha this issue is a pain/discomfort one and if you find the root of that, you will have gone a long way to solving the issue).

All the above

I have had a couple of natives that have not been happy in a jointed bit, so I used either a Pelham or a Mullen mouth eggbut. Later in life one of them settled with a jointed bit but only with a micklem bridle.
If you have brakes just go bitless

 

[Bobthecob15]

He had a teeny tiny one that I had removed in may

Did it heal up OK? Just wondering if he's still sore from the surgery? Possibly infection or something post removal? I'm sure you've checked but could be related?