Tongue out, over the bit and rolled back solution

[Norelle]

Hi, I’ve read multiple threads on this topic but didn’t find one discussing this exact problem.

I have a horse that is probably tongue sensitive and I’m experiencing these issues- he’s constantly opening his mouth and pulling his tongue up, when greater pressure over (when jumping) and sometimes he pulls it out completely. He opens his mouth and pulls his tongue up when even just a little pressure is applied, and because I can’t go bitless (competitions) and every other possible cause has been ruled out (teeth done, physio every 3 months, saddle checked), I’m looking for a bit recommendation that actually worked for your tongue sensitive horse. He doesn’t have problems with metal, and when using flexible rubber he tends to lean on it and get heavy in the front. Over the past years, I’ve tried following bits and none of them were comfortable for him (he was fine with most of them yet still opened his mouth etc so I want to find one that will actually make him relax in the mouth, as he he also tends to be really dry mouthed): 3 piece loose ring snaffle, 3 piece hanging cheek (baucher), Fager Julia with fixed rings, straight flexible rubber bit, 1 piece Trust inno sense fixed ring hard with port, 1 piece loose ring Sprenger KK metal with port. I’m currently jumping him in 3 piece baby Pelham, which isn’t bad but I feel he could be more comfortable with other mouthpiece. He was accepting the contact the best with the Baucher one, but after one or two rides he began to get slightly heavier and pull his tongue out.

Next on my list to try: leather snaffle, Trust inno sense port but in loose ring and medium, ported Baucher with some kind of lock system or 1 pieced.

I’m not looking for nosebands recommendations as it won’t solve the issue I’m having.

Do you have any recommendations for a bit that can be bought in EU? I’m tired of wasting money on bits that I use for few weeks before they and up in my “bit graveyard”

 

[splashgirl45]

My old horse had a large tongue and no jointed bits seemed comfortable for him and he hung his tongue out of the side of his mouth. I used a Mullen mouth snaffle and it worked for him . Thought it was easier to show photos

 

[tda]

I had a couple of mares who didn't like a jointed bit. Ended up with a mullen mouth pelham, problem solved.
In later life, one would accept a French link snaffle but only with a Micklem bridle

 

[Gloi]

I found the myler ported snaffles worked for mine.

 

[Norelle]

My old horse had a large tongue and no jointed bits seemed comfortable for him and he hung his tongue out of the side of his mouth. I used a Mullen mouth snaffle and it worked for him . Thought it was easier to show photos

I’ve tried Mullen typed bits with slight port, not desired results unfortunately. (

 

[splashgirl45]

I had a Mullen with out a port just a gentle curved bit..my horse hated anything with a port

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use a hanging cheek comfort barrel snaffle on Arabi who hated every bit going when he was young.

They look a bit like a myler but much cheaper.

 

[dorsetladette]

Can you speak to the bit bank or have a bit fitting specialist come out to you. It's well worth the money if you are having problems and you'll save in the long run with all the bits you won't need to buy to try.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Got this one from ebay

 

[Snow Falcon]

Have you tried a curved bit? Most bits are straight and therefore I believe put more pressure on the tongue.

I had a mare who increased my bit collection. I finally found a bit she liked and I've used the same style on anything I've had since as they all go well in it. Not an expensive one, but a myler knock off. Will hunt for a link to it.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

He also loves a sweet iron bit cheap and cheerful bits but worth a try.

 

[Orangina]

You can compete BS and BE bitless. Just you mentioned jumping as a problem but bitless is an option for those. Just not for dressage.

 

[Norelle]

Can you speak to the bit bank or have a bit fitting specialist come out to you. It's well worth the money if you are having problems and you'll save in the long run with all the bits you won't need to buy to try.

I was thinking about this, but I feel like there’s no one who is a bit specialist in my country :/

 

[Norelle]

You can compete BS and BE bitless. Just you mentioned jumping as a problem but bitless is an option for those. Just not for dressage.

We do eventing as well sooo :/

 

[Norelle]

Have you tried a curved bit? Most bits are straight and therefore I believe put more pressure on the tongue.

I had a mare who increased my bit collection. I finally found a bit she liked and I've used the same style on anything I've had since as they all go well in it. Not an expensive one, but a myler knock off. Will hunt for a link to it.View attachment 143874I have

Have you tried a curved bit? Most bits are straight and therefore I believe put more pressure on the tongue.

I had a mare who increased my bit collection. I finally found a bit she liked and I've used the same style on anything I've had since as they all go well in it. Not an expensive one, but a myler knock off. Will hunt for a link to it.View attachment 143874

Have you tried a curved bit? Most bits are straight and therefore I believe put more pressure on the tongue.

I had a mare who increased my bit collection. I finally found a bit she liked and I've used the same style on anything I've had since as they all go well in it. Not an expensive one, but a myler knock off. Will hunt for a link to it.View attachment 143874

I have the same opinion about straight bits. I’ve tried stubben golden wings snaffle, which is anatomically curved forward. Still wasn’t happy with it :/

 

[Prancerpoos]

Maybe you will have to accept that your horse does not like having a bit in his mouth and that you will not be able to take him to dressage competitions?

 

[Norelle]

He also loves a sweet iron bit cheap and cheerful bits but worth a try.

I have every metal bits in either sweet iron or sweet copper. He’s accepting these materials better, but they didn’t solve his unhappy tongue

 

[Norelle]

Maybe you will have to accept that your horse does not like having a bit in his mouth and that you will not be able to take him to dressage competitions?

I believe I can find a proper one as we had such a limited options in my country. Every other bit was with traditional one-fits-all 100 year old mouthpieces and every advice was “just tighten his noseband”. But who knows, maybe I’ll end up bitless after all d

 

[Fransurrey]

You can compete BS and BE bitless. Just you mentioned jumping as a problem but bitless is an option for those. Just not for dressage.

This. I would try a hackamore if it's just jumping.

 

[dorsetladette]

I was thinking about this, but I feel like there’s no one who is a bit specialist in my country :/

https://www.horsebitbank.com/

Try these people. They might be able to help. They do trials - I'm not sure about the terms and conditions etc, but cant hurt to have a chat.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I have every metal bits in either sweet iron or sweet copper. He’s accepting these materials better, but they didn’t solve his unhappy tongue

Arabi was the fussiest in the mouth horse I just couldn't get him to accept any contact he would just put his head in the air and run I your situation is different but thought I would put it out there.

My theory is he was young and didn't have much confidence and found it all a bit much,cso I think he had to find something fir him that felt comfortable and safe.

A friend if mine watched me ride him one day then handed me a bit and said try this, it was a magic snaffle it's got a ported mouth piece with snaffle rings, this bit was a complete game changer for me he just suddenly seemed much happier and then he just got better and better and I finally could use a bit of contact.

I rode him for quite a few years in it then just started experimenting with other bits and he was just so much more tolerant, I used to show in a jointed Pelham or a myler and at last he was happy.

So I just think sometimes it's finding something they like and accept and some horses are just trickier.

 

[Orangina]

We do eventing as well sooo :/

Yes so you could do the jumping phases bitless as you mentioned that was the worst times.

 

[Hallo2012]

has he had a vet work up?

almost every tongue issue I've known has ended up being related to hind leg pain (even mine who i swore blind was fine, ended up having issues and ultimately has been retired to hacking)

 

[sjdress]

I have a mare who is fussy, tongue rolls up and back and she gets tongue over bit easily. I ride her in an expert bit comfy barrel which she seems quite settled in. I also have a flash, very loose which stops the tongue over the bit. It’s so loose I don’t know how it works but it does! She did have some hind limb lameness and I am finding since this has been treated she is more settled in the contact.

 

[SEL]

has he had a vet work up?

almost every tongue issue I've known has ended up being related to hind leg pain (even mine who i swore blind was fine, ended up having issues and ultimately has been retired to hacking)

Interesting - both mine with bit issues have hind leg issues (one retired, one happy hacker)

OP the NS Turtle Top did well for my Appy when she was young & getting her tongue over everything. Stopped immediately in that bit (but she was diagnosed with hock arthritis at 6)

 

[tda]

has he had a vet work up?

almost every tongue issue I've known has ended up being related to hind leg pain (even mine who i swore blind was fine, ended up having issues and ultimately has been retired to hacking)

I tend to agree with this, sorry

 

[Norelle]

has he had a vet work up?

almost every tongue issue I've known has ended up being related to hind leg pain (even mine who i swore blind was fine, ended up having issues and ultimately has been retired to hacking)

That’s quite interesting. He tends to get really stiff in the back over time (especially in the loin area) - our physio comes every 3 months or more often when necessary. One time he got lame in his right hind. Vet came, did Xray of the whole back and Xray and sono of the whole lame leg as well as regional anesthesia. Nothing. After few days, physio came, said he was super blocked and stiffed, after one more visit he was good to go again. I’m trying to prevent the stiffness by stretching him regularly as well as giving him BCAA. Unfortunately, even when he is stiff, physio comes and he moves significantly better after the visit, I still don’t feel it’s solving the tongue issue. Nevertheless I will definitely look more into it, maybe schedule a vet’s visit soon. Never really thought these two things could be connected, thanks!

 

[Norelle]

I really appreciate every advice from all of you, thank you so much for your time!! I’ll let you know how things are going, so someone in the future who has the same issue would find this post helpful

 

[Beausmate]

My awkward pony is now very happily in a fager Maria (I think - it's the titanium bradoon version, as it's thinner). I also rode her in a Beris baucher and it was ok, but I think she found it a bit too thick and restrictive. She's not super keen on bitless, and I'm not forcing her to have to put up with something she isn't keen on. She actually takes the fager bit out of my hand.

I found Fager's bit quiz very useful. It might be worth contacting them for their opinion, if you haven't already.

 

[GypsGal1718]

You can go bitless, just drop competing