Tongue over the bit/Playing with Bit/unsettled head

[EquestrianFairy]

Hmmm just after some suggestions..

Ive currently got a 6yo on loan and he was doing alot of tongue over bit etc so dentist and back lady came out.. no issues.. saddle checked... all fine.

He plays with it so much that its quite unnerving as hes not paying any attention to what im doing and hence schooling is becoming frustrating.. he came in a french link and i own a Myler Mullen mouth so ive tried him in both and neither show any difference.

Out hacking is a different matter and we have barely any problems with him playing with it so its obv a schooling matter.

Any ideas?

As soon as he gets his tounge over he comppletely ignores me and falls out etc.
I tried a flash yesteday and although he couldnt get his tounge over he still messed with his head alot.

 

[K27]

My first thoughts would be, is the bit high enough in the mouth? it may be a habit he has got into if your dentist was sure that there were no hooks or sharp edges on the teeth/or problems with wolf teeth coming through.

It may just be case of trial and error in finding a bit that he likes- if he has small mouth and a thick fleshy tongue he may prefer a bit with a thinner mouthpiece to offer more tongue relief- you could try a hanging cheek french link snaffle as this raises the bit higher in the mouth and it is a fixed ring so they cant so easily play with it or be so fussy in the mouth.

Where possible its nice for a horse to wear a cavesson but your horse may need a flash or drop noseband just to keep his mouth stiller- I'd also do lots of things like transitions and working on rhythm etc when schooling so that you take his attention off of being so fussy in the contact so that he gradually gets out of it. Also I would try to keep it simple and work on the basics, ie that he is truly off your leg and working from your leg and into the hand so that he is not restricted by the contact in any way so that he is free to go forward, when he is soft you can be soft and still and reward him by a nice soft contact on his mouth and when he is rude in the contact you can be quick to correct him with the leg and seat ie pressure and release= reward.

Hope he gets better soon! if it continues/gets worse maybe your vet could check his teeth/mouth for peace of mind.

Also, I'd add that Heather at Neue Schule is very helpful with bitting issues.

gd Luck!

 

[dwi]

My first instinct would be try a smaller mouthpiece. I'd probably discuss it with my instructor and go from there though. Have you got an instructor or knowledgeable friend who can watch you ride and see what he's doing?

 

[EquestrianFairy]

yup- already been done

They said its an evasion due to being worked in the school which he'd (given the chance) not do.
Hence why out hacking he doesnt complain, he never bucks or anything nasty its just the head/mouth issue.

 

[moodiestmare]

Are you keeping the horse now then? I thought you said he was going back very soon(?)

If hes going back do you need to worry about it?

I can't keep up with you!

 

[eoe]

I have a 5 year old that gets his tongue over the bit and crosses his jaw when jumping so he has a loose ring closed spoon snaffle and a mexican grackle. The snaffle has two little flat discs attached to the centre of the bit, the larger of the 2 goes at the front of his mouth, I found them at Bit World for £18.95 and received it within 24 hours and this has stopped him getting his tongue over the bit and he is a happy horse as he tended to panic when getting his tongue over the bit and the grackle stops him crossing his jaw. Hope this helps.