Small mouthed TB - gets tongue overbit - what to try

Gingerwitch

Gingerwitch

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My little lad is in a loose ring french link (has a lozenge in the centre so no nut cracker action). He ususally spends a good 20 mins getting his snake like tongue over the bit and if he gets a bit upset when being ridden - usually because he is trying to anticipate you - he will do the same then. Teeth are fine - were done a week or so ago and I know they are fine as the chap is highly recommended and he allowed me to feel them after he had done.

He only has a tiny mouth, is very light and responsive and most of the time i just ride him from seat and leg as he only needs a very very light contact.

What would you try with him?
 
Can his bit be dropped a little? What french link is he in? Depending on the angle of the lozenge it can give quite alot of tongue pressure which he might be trying to remove his tongue from. Eg, I can't use some sprengers on my my as the angle of the lozenge gives too much tongue pressure for her. A NS verbindend (sp!) is a massive help and she is much more comfortable in it with no 'mouth wriggles' as I'm riding and she is settled and much happier in it.
 
My horse does a similar thing but Ive not managed to cure it despite trying loads of bits, nosebands etc. My friends young mare did it too and they changed her bit to a straight bar happy mouth and put it much higher in her mouth. She stopped doing it shortly after, she is now in a K ultra bit.
 
To start with I would check that the bit is high enough in the mouth. Being too low is the most usual reason for a horse getting its tongue over the bit. If that is not the answer, a mullen-mouthed bit, or one with a low port might be better. Or you could find that the horse prefers a different material. The best thing is to experiment with a variety of bits from a bit-bank.
 
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