The softest bit...

[Mid]

Just curious, and want to know what the mildest bit you can do ridden work in is

 

[H-J]

A jointed fixed ring happy mouth I would have thought

 

[Evil_Cookie]

Nothing at all? Bridleless

 

[KatB]

Jointed still has nutcracker action. IMO a nathe straight bar loose ring.

 

[fjudge]

Dont know what it is called...but it is all rubber and no joint. Looked very mild to me! Not sure really?

 

[samp]

I would say a straight bar loose ring like happy mouth or NAthe but think depends on conformation of the horses mouth

 

[the watcher]

Do you mean a straight bar rubble snaffle? They can be a bit bulky in smaller mouths.

It is all academic, even a soft bit can be harsh in the wrong hands, and a severe bit, ridden very lightly, can be kinder if the horse has learned to respond to the slightest movement.

I would recommend a double jointed bit with fixed cheeks - there are plenty of manufacturers who make something in the catagory

 

[Evil_Cookie]

[ QUOTE ]
I would say a straight bar loose ring like happy mouth or NAthe but think depends on conformation of the horses mouth

[/ QUOTE ]

Completely agree, had my new mares teeth done the other day, asked dentist what bit he thought would suit her, apparently she has a big tongue and a small mouth. I'd been using a happy mouth straight bar loose ring, which was fine but she'd fight it a little turning and stopping, (she's only just being backed) So I thought this was quite normal. He thought it would be putting a lot of pressure in the wrong places and suggested I swap to my kk ultra lozenge loose ring. Immediate difference, she doesn't fight it at all and stops and turns beautifully for a baby, and thats just after 1 session with it. Very impressed. So maybe it's more about the individual horse as to whats mild, a bit like saddle fitting?

 

[evsj]

My instructor got me to swap to a really thin myler becuase my horse has a typical ID mouth - fat tongue, low roof etc. She is much happier in it than her thicker mouthed french link - I always thought the thinner the mouth peice, the more severe.

I agree conformation has alot to do with it. What about french link, loose ring flexi-mouth? i use that on her to jump as she was not very confident about taking the contact.

 

[Shilasdair]

It's not the bit, it's the rider's hands.
S

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

I would vote for a hanging cheek rubber straight bar snaffle

 

[_Jazz_]

Quiz your trusted ED !
Best way, IMO

, to find out the anatomy of your horses mouth/tongue/dentition , this may help you to have the knowledge of choosing a suitable bit.
Just a thought, it's what I'm going to do in May !

 

[Parkranger]

straight bar happy mouth I'd say - a rubber snaffle is not as kind as you get the nutcracker action!

 

[vicijp]

Happy mouth, lozenge fulmer.

 

[aimeerose]

soft rubber straight bar, or bitless