Recommend a bit for us!

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nato

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Still don't feel like I've nailed the right bit for my horse! Would appreciate any input and suggestions.

16.2 with a 5" mouth (teeny!), dentist has advised there isn't a whole pile of room in there! He came to me with ulcers on one side of his mouth and sharp ridges, which we treated immediately and have had to have him done every 6months since to gently reshape how he uses his mouth.

Naturally on his forehand and likes to lean, particularly on the right rein - biggest struggle is getting him to 'let go' on the right side of his mouth. He crosses his jaw and can grab the bit, and when standing still can chomp on the bit sometimes. I can struggle with steering sometimes as I am still teaching him to turn off my leg and he is long in the body!

So far have tried him in:
- Eggbutt french link snaffle - he seemed to like this the best as there was lots of foam at the mouth, but found him very heavy in my hand
- Sprenger KK Eggbutt - rode too deep in this and really leaned
- NS Verbindend - HATED this and backed off the contact completely
- D Ring Copper Roller - Less leaning but a bit too strong IMO and caused him to back off contact a bit
- NS Turtle Top - currently in this, seems to go the best but still grabs the bit on the right and leans. Not much foam!

He has very sensitive lips and I have to be careful about this, he is ridden in Acavallo Gel Bit Guards to prevent any sores or rubbing.

Physio has seen to him and noted he is uneven and needs to use his left hind more which will help the leaning but he does need to let go at the jaw too so we can encourage him to use himself. He is getting much better and the schooling is all going in the right direction, but would appreciate any help to make sure he is comfortable in his mouth too as I want to give him and me no excuses to get our schooling right!

I know myself I am weak on my right side which doesn't help, I have become better at learning a 'take and release' in our schooling which has really helped me - I just want to make sure that there isn't a trick I'm missing with the bit before I put it down to pure diligence in my schooling!
 
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mmmm....... just a suggestion, and do with it what you will, but have you thought about a French Link Rugby Pelham? As yours seemed to like the feel of a French Link, the mouthpiece of this is a French Link, but it is a Pelham basically and is supposed to replicate the action of a double bridle but without the additional bit, especially helpful on a smaller mouth. To be correct, and get the best results, you would ride with double reins on it. I've found it ideal on my boy, who's a very honest horse and will tell you if he doesn't like something.

You will need another headpiece as there is an additional ring - with mine, I'd tried a lot of things including a Waterford, but this bit he really liked as it gave him a bit more movement and stopped him trying to evade the bit by hollowing his back and poking out his nose. You might need a loriner such as "The Bit Lady" (on FB) to advise you on the correct fitting - OR......... another thought, get her to come out to you as (don't know where you are) I understand she travels about the country a good deal and you'd have the chance to try a variety of bits. You could always get a group of you from your yard, or friends, or whatever, to have a clinic. I've not used her but understand she is very highly recommended.

Just an idea.
 
I am guessing you want something dressage legal so I would try a Myler, both sides work independently so should help with the leaning but still encourage him to take a contact, the real key will be getting him pushing through from behind and until he does you will probably find he remains a little uneven, plenty of work in counter flexion is useful to get them working more through on the weaker side.
 
The myler comfort snaffle is what I would use it's consistently been the best for me with not a lot of room in there horses .
 
Thanks everyone, yes I need something dressage legal. What type of comfort snaffle would you recommend - eggbutt or hanging cheek?
 
I would definitely try loose ring first as thenhorse can move the mouthpiece in the mouth to the place they like it .
Next the hanging cheek which lifts in mouth when you use the rein somehorses like that .
Eggbutt and cheeked bits hold the mouthpieces stiller the horse has less chance to move the mouthpiece to where it likes it best .
 
Goldenstar said:
I would definitely try loose ring first as thenhorse can move the mouthpiece in the mouth to the place they like it .
Next the hanging cheek which lifts in mouth when you use the rein somehorses like that .
Eggbutt and cheeked bits hold the mouthpieces stiller the horse has less chance to move the mouthpiece to where it likes it best .
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Thanks, I wasn't sure if a loose ring would suit him as he seems to play with them a lot more than the fixed ring - however he does respond well to take and give so maybe it would suit him. I will call horse bit bank and see.
 
I'd go for a myler as well. Re teeth I believe until they are 12 they should be done every six months anyway, regardless of issues.
 
Michen said:
I'd go for a myler as well. Re teeth I believe until they are 12 they should be done every six months anyway, regardless of issues.
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Thanks! What type of myler do you recommend?

He's actually been done twice in 6 months at this stage simply because he was left so long when I bought him :( my last horse I always did every 6 months too, I like to be safe !
 
Your boy sounds a bit like mine. I've tried so many different bits and like yours he crosses his jaw on the right and tries to push the bit out of his mouth with his tongue. I'm not a bit fan of strapping his mouth shut to discourage this as it just makes him frustrated and he's a TB so softly, softly is usually best. Currently riding him in a Bomber happy tongue bit after speaking to the Bit Bank when I ride him in a bit. Early days as only ridden in it twice. Anyway a few months ago I tried him bitless and it made such a huge difference. Best schooling session i've ever had with him. I think we were both in shock! I don't know if you compete( I guess so as this post is in Competion riders!) so not competition legal for dressage but you could just try it as an exercise. Mine is an ex racer and bitless he is just so much easier, there's no heated discussion and he is no problem to stop. Might be worth a try
 
Another in the Myler Comfort Snaffle, I have the eggbutt for our snaffle bridle and the loose ring for the double.

One point though is for me I don't especially mind a heavier contact, Topaz was very contact shy initally but we're slowly getting there and now can almost feel too strong in the contact (in the double she was super confident to take the contact which surprised me!).

From my experience it's been easier to ask the horse to lighten, than build the confidence back to take the contact forward. Currently baby horse is a bit leany but she's four and building her strength, so I'm resisting changing anything and sticking with her current bit at the moment as she seems happy otherwise.

Feel free to ignore the above waffling :D, bitting is a nightmare and I wish you luck, I could now stock a bit shop we have that many as Topaz was super fussy!
 
claracanter said:
Your boy sounds a bit like mine. I've tried so many different bits and like yours he crosses his jaw on the right and tries to push the bit out of his mouth with his tongue. I'm not a bit fan of strapping his mouth shut to discourage this as it just makes him frustrated and he's a TB so softly, softly is usually best. Currently riding him in a Bomber happy tongue bit after speaking to the Bit Bank when I ride him in a bit. Early days as only ridden in it twice. Anyway a few months ago I tried him bitless and it made such a huge difference. Best schooling session i've ever had with him. I think we were both in shock! I don't know if you compete( I guess so as this post is in Competion riders!) so not competition legal for dressage but you could just try it as an exercise. Mine is an ex racer and bitless he is just so much easier, there's no heated discussion and he is no problem to stop. Might be worth a try
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Thank you, I am definitely open to the idea of bitless, I would happily school at home and jump bitless as he has sensitive lips and they split easily, but we do need a bit for dressage as the plan is to event him. I will keep it in mind :)

AlexHyde said:
Another in the Myler Comfort Snaffle, I have the eggbutt for our snaffle bridle and the loose ring for the double.

One point though is for me I don't especially mind a heavier contact, Topaz was very contact shy initally but we're slowly getting there and now can almost feel too strong in the contact (in the double she was super confident to take the contact which surprised me!).

From my experience it's been easier to ask the horse to lighten, than build the confidence back to take the contact forward. Currently baby horse is a bit leany but she's four and building her strength, so I'm resisting changing anything and sticking with her current bit at the moment as she seems happy otherwise.

Feel free to ignore the above waffling :D, bitting is a nightmare and I wish you luck, I could now stock a bit shop we have that many as Topaz was super fussy!
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I dont mind a heavier contact but this is definitely bracing and tension rather than being heavier to the hand, and when he leans he gets a split mouth so I have to be careful with him :)

I think I will try the eggbutt or hanging cheek myler as I'm not a fan of the loose rings as they pinch him!
 
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