Recommend a bit for a horse with its head between its knees?

K

kit279

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 January 2008
Messages
3,612
Visit site
I could do with some advice on what bit would be best for my TB.

Ottie is a funny horse. He feels like he has been schooled but badly and I think he's had draw reins used on him because he absolutely trails his nose along the ground, leaning heavily. When I first got him, he was being ridden in a Myler but nobody had noticed that it was upside down in his mouth
frown.gif
I changed him straight away to an eggbutt hollow snaffle as he was understandably very sensitive in his mouth and I wanted him to have confidence in me and my hands! He is much better now but I would like to really get the best out of him and use the right bit for him.

Ottie is also a very balanced horse and incredibly flexible, he can bury his head at all paces, in a very tight circle, in counter canter on both reins. Downward transitions leave something to be desired (to say the least) and I really hate having to haul him up when he tanks off. I know transitions/schooling will help but he's very forward.

So I'm not looking to bit for brakes but I am looking for a bit that encourages him not to lean, but to trust me and relax! I've always been a fan of keeping it simple bit-wise but I've kept it really simple with this lad and he's not getting any worse but not really any better!

Any advice welcome!
 
maybe something like a french link as it has more joints in it, or a bit made out of sweet iron as it makes them relax their mouth. Someone may have a better suggestion then me lol as i havent really had that problem
x
 
I know many people on here seem not to like them but I would maybe try a 3 rung (dutch gag). I had a pony years ago who was very strong and head on the floor type of thing. He had a pekham when I first got him but it had a huge port in (never seen one like that since) so I didn't really like it and he seemed pretty unhappy in his mouth. I tried a kimblewick but his head was just on the floor half the time. The dutch gag had just come in at the time so I tried it and he seemed very happy in it, it helped keep his head up and he just seemed a lot more comfortable in himself. My horse has been in one for years, it is the only one he is consistenly good in and I ride him in the second ring although now he could probably just go on the big snaffle ring to be honest.

I think some horses like some bits and some don't. My horse just is built quite on his forehand so this bit really helps lift him up and has helped lighten him so I can do dressage etc now in a snaffle. See if you can borrow as many different bits as possible before you buy one.
 
a three ring gag isn't a proper gag therefore doesn't lift the head, and actually uses poll action so would probably make the horse lower his head even more. I'd use anything that doesn't have a fixed mouthpiece etc the waterford as they can't grab it and lean, good luck!
 
depends what Myler bit he had previously but the Myler comfort snaffle is very good for this problem and it is very mild as it is classed as a stage 1 for babies and early training stage. I have an Anglo (dressage horse) which had exactly the same problem, I tried a multitude of snaffles which didn't help so I rang Heather at the Myler bit bank and she advised me to try the comfort snaffle, it rotates at each ring edge plus in the middle so the horse cant hang on it at all as it can just be tilted from them, my horse has been the happiest he has ever been in his mouth and now goes along in a light uphill frame and whats more - it is dressage legal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top