Small pony bit recommendations

[Jellymoon]

Trying to find a bit for a new pony with tiny little delicate mouth. She’s not strong at all, quite sensitive, so something mild and gentle. She was ridden previously in a loose ring lozenge,but I feel the lozenges are rather large in her mouth.
Are there any makes that do true pony bits, with smaller lozenges/plates, not just shorter versions of the horse bit?

 

[katastrophykat]

Yep- Neue Schule do, up to 5’’ I think- my boys are in them ridden and driven.

 

[katastrophykat]

They’re here- https://nsbits.com/product-category/pony/snaffles-for-dressage-pony
And there’s also
https://canterequestrian.co.uk/diddy-bits-64-c.asp
But they seem to have thicker mouth Pieces than the NS

 

[Jellymoon]

Brill, thanks, the NS ones look really good, shame they are so spendy, but the pony must be happy!

 

[Jellymoon]

Just noticed that Trust do one aswell, looks nice, slightly thicker at 12mm as a pose to the NS which is 10mm, but still dinky. Its a bit cheaper. Anyone tried one?

 

[katastrophykat]

I’d always recommend Trust as a brand, but I haven’t used them in the ponies as yet. The main draw for the NS for me is small sides- they look proportional in my ponies as they’re only 12hh but have 5’’ mouths ?

 

[SpotsandBays]

Expert bits have some bits that go down to 4.5, and start at 10mm mouthpiece

 

[Jellymoon]

I’ve just tried her in a 4.5 eggbutt french link that I found at the bottom of a box, if anything, it was slightly on the large side, she really is very tiny muzzled, bless.
What are your thoughts on lozenges vs plates? I’ve always thought the lozenges press more on the tongue and for a sensitive pony, a flat plate might be better?

 

[maya2008]

I am using a ‘small ring’ bit from Shires (it’s their bradoon). I have an eggbutt French link and our 11.2hh is very happy in it.

 

[Haniki]

Fylde Saddlery sell bits in small sizes. The 'magic bits' are sometimes useful for small mouths.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I've just purchased a myler type style bit from ebay that is a thinner mouthpiece. Our slightly fussy pony is very happy in it.

Loose Ring size 2" Mullen Barrel with Copper Inlay Pony Horse Bit Myler Design

 

[Jellymoon]

I've just purchased a myler type style bit from ebay that is a thinner mouthpiece. Our slightly fussy pony is very happy in it.

Loose Ring size 2" Mullen Barrel with Copper Inlay Pony Horse Bit Myler Design

Yes, I’ve been looking at these too, might try one. They look neater in the mouth, I always wonder how comfy all those joints and links are for a tiny mouth

 

[vhf]

What are your thoughts on lozenges vs plates? I’ve always thought the lozenges press more on the tongue and for a sensitive pony, a flat plate might be better?

You need to look at the bit in the mouth, with the reins held in a normal contact. When the reins are picked up some plates will 'lie' with the narrow end on the tongue, rather than the plate part, and some have very pointy 'knuckles' that stick into the tongue and the palate above in a very flat mouth.

 

[Jellymoon]

You need to look at the bit in the mouth, with the reins held in a normal contact. When the reins are picked up some plates will 'lie' with the narrow end on the tongue, rather than the plate part, and some have very pointy 'knuckles' that stick into the tongue and the palate above in a very flat mouth.

That sounds very unpleasant. Do you prefer lozenges and/barrels then, out of interest?

 

[fawaz]

https://www.bitbankaustralia.com.au/pony-bit-collection/

not in the UK but there is a huge range of pony specific bits with good bitting info. Most of these you could source in the UK much easier than Australia.

 

[vhf]

That sounds very unpleasant. Do you prefer lozenges and/barrels then, out of interest?

I think if money was no object I might well look at barrels, but I have both mine in lozenges currently. One was in a French link until recently and seemed perfectly content, but I wanted different cheeks and went with what I had that seemed to suit! A trained bit consultant would give a more informed answer, I'm just an amateur enthusiast!