What bit for my horse?!

[MardellAndMare]

Before i go into it, my horse is up to date with dentist, physio,farrier, saddler, has regular massages etc.

My horse often 'smiles' when riding, showing her teeth. i often thought this was through pain until i changed her bit size from 5.5 to a 4.75 where the bit fit her mouth a lot better(stupid me!) and she really doesn't 'smile' much anymore.

I get quite an inconsistent outline with her most days in the trot and canter but i seem to get her quite well in walk. im looking for something to gently encourage her to come down on the bit so im looking for something that may work for her. She is light mouthed so nothing harsh she has a really big and thick tongue in quite a small mouth so im also looking on what thickness the bit should be also. NO i dont want to be bitless, please dont suggest either. thank you.

Bit's shes been in
* happy mouth jointed gag
* loose ring, happy mouth straight bar
*eggbutt happy mouth straight bar
*french link snaffle
*Jointed loose ring happy mouth

 

[Abacus]

You don't say how she has gone in each of the bits you have listed - this might help. I'm not going to suggest anything specific - I have found a good bit for each of my horses by trial and error. It's impossible to tell really without trying others and seeing how they look on her and in her mouth, and then riding with them. Do you have friends at the yard with well stocked bit boxes you could raid to try others? Alternatively a bit bank is a good way of trying different types. And the best way might be to have lessons with a sympathetic instructor who will make suggestions for her, and will also help you with contact issues. Good luck. x

 

[Wheels]

If she has a small mouth, big tongue etc then I don't think the happy mouths are the way to go, they can be quite bulky.

I have one with a similar mouth conformation and I use a 14mm thickness bit from Neue Schule but I agree with the above that it is trial and error to find something that suits the horse

 

[Cortez]

I find the Neue Schule bits very good with the thinner mouthpieces, but they are horrid expensive. The only horse I have with a tongue issue is in the Verbindert lozenge, or the Starter bit with lozenge is good too. See if you can borrow, or try the Bit Bank.