tack experts...... does this exist??

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Louby

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Ive had a major breakthrough with my boys terrible tongue habit.
After 8 yrs of trying different bits, including myler, kk, neue schule, french link, etc etc I decided to try to lift the bit off his tongue :o. Ive done this by using a flash strap and instead of fastenning it in the usual way, I passed each end through the bit rings and buckled it up over his nose. I didnt do it tight, just enough to sort of hold the bit lightly off his tongue.
I know this isnt technically correct but the difference was amazing, He did a bit of spitting the dummy out at first and then worked lovely with a lovely soft quiet mouth.
So my question is, does anything 'proper' exist that will do the same thing. Im hoping if I kept using it, he would hopefully forget his habit and eventually be 'normal'. I compete in dressage so he has to have a bit.
Thanks for any replies :)
 
Arguably a kineton noseband would do that. I'm not sure if it's dressage legal though - I suspect not.
 
Definitely not dressage legal but should work. Also an austrailian noseband - those rubber things that racehorses wear, bit guard like and up the centre of the face.
 
Thanks, never thought of that, its not dressage legal but would be better than a flash strap for now. Theres also a worcester sp noseband isnt there, I think that does a similar thing??
Off to have a look now :D
 
jemima_too said:
Arguably a kineton noseband would do that. I'm not sure if it's dressage legal though - I suspect not.
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No its not :).

Have you tried a drop noseband? You could use this for Dressage and use a Kineton noseband at home. Just an idea as the drop fastens more onto the nose rather than the flash which is mainly just around the face/cheekbone area.
 
Would an australian checker i think they are called. Racehorses wear the go down middle of face usually orange, can't find a pic of them so not sure if they have another name too?
 
Thanks everyone, I think the worcester seems the best as it looks like it will mimic what I did tonight.
I do use a drop for comps but it doesnt stop the habit although is better than a flash. Its that bad, he stretched the leather and has almost worn away the leather near the buckle with his constant opening and closing of his mouth whilst he draws his tongue back. Tonight was amazing, he looked happy, relaxed and it gave me hope :D
 
if your trying to lift the bit off his tounge you want a micklem multi bridle, rambo retail it, its pricey but its specially desinged to be 'ergonomical' think thats the right word and also has tounge protection clips on it which you can use to carry the amount of rpessur eon the horses tounge as well as using it as a bitless bridle,

and im pretty sure its dressage legal as i have seen some people competing in them
 
Oh yes a worcester would be better. Just a thought though. If you're using a flash to mimic the action of the worcester there is nowhere in the rules that I can remember which says how the flash is to be done up . . .
 
jemima, good point! Not sure about the legality of a micklem, but would probably be useful at home although other suggestions would most likely be cheaper :)
 
Rule 52. The Micklem multibridle is allowed for dressage but must be used with permitted bit. Rule 52. Flash straps must lie in the chin groove.
 
mazda said:
Rule 52. The Micklem multibridle is allowed for dressage but must be used with permitted bit. Rule 52. Flash straps must lie in the chin groove.
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Thanks, mmmmm wonder if Id get away with the clips??
Shame about the flash strap, didnt think Id get away with that but great suggestion jemima_too.
Ive not ridden with my contraption yet, only lunged, so may give that a try before splashing out. If I could cure it over the winter with a traditional bridle I would prefer that as I know it shouldnt matter what it looks like, but the Rambo bridle is pretty awful to look at :o:o
 
Have you tried riding with a loose fitting cavesson noseband? Some horses don't like the feeling of being trapped by a tight noseband & you need to do up the cavesson part of a flash quite firmly to stop the flash strap pulling it down.

I always break all my horses with no noseband & hardly ever have to use anything but a cavesson.

A padded headpiece could also help if you don't use one as flash & drop noseband causes pressure on the poll. Might be worth a go.
 
i'd try a full cheek bit with a drop noseband fitted high, this might lift the bit a little in his mouth, worth a try.
or, if you want to try the comfiest bit i've ever found for a horse, the Hippus (designed by an Equine Dentist), pm me...
 
mazda said:
Have you tried riding with a loose fitting cavesson noseband? Some horses don't like the feeling of being trapped by a tight noseband & you need to do up the cavesson part of a flash quite firmly to stop the flash strap pulling it down.

I always break all my horses with no noseband & hardly ever have to use anything but a cavesson.

A padded headpiece could also help if you don't use one as flash & drop noseband causes pressure on the poll. Might be worth a go.
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Thanks, Ive tried probably everything incuding no noseband, flash, drop, grackle, hackamore, padded headpiece, magnetic headpiece. I think his problem is him not liking the bit on his tongue, so I tried mullen mouth, pee wee, ported mouth bits, sprenger correction bit, tongue saver bit, thick, thin, jointed, french link, fulmer, gosh Im running out of breath now :D.
It was only the other day when he was lunging with his mouth opening and shutting, drawing his tongue back and doing an impression of a cow, dont know why he reminds me of that :confused: that I got mad and tied the bit upwards off his tongue ................ and he stopped :eek::eek::eek:
 
kerilli said:
i'd try a full cheek bit with a drop noseband fitted high, this might lift the bit a little in his mouth, worth a try.
or, if you want to try the comfiest bit i've ever found for a horse, the Hippus (designed by an Equine Dentist), pm me...
Click to expand...

Thanks, Ive tried a hanging cheek with the drop but not a full cheek, I will give anything a go as suprise suprise I have a full cheek too :D
I have pm'd you
 
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