What bit would you use?

[Madam_max]

What would you try on a fussy mare. At the moment she is schooled in a snaffle. Hacking in a Waterford with either a drop or grakle. At the moment she can be a bit of a twit at times. Problem is she's a ID X TB and had quite a big tongue. If I use anything stronger she has a habit of tucking her nose in a just leaping about. I have tried a Kimblewick which she hates.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

is it schooling that is the problem or hacking ? what is she doing, bolting etc ?

 

[JessPickle]

Have you tried a waterford dutch gag? or a waterford pelham if she likes the mouthpiece

 

[Abbeygale]

Have you tried a double jointed happy mouth / rubber bit - the ones with the rotating bit in the middle? I swapped to this with my mare (i used one with full cheeks on my mare) who is a bit of a fussy - and she did seem to settle in it more.

When you say being a twit do you mean being strong, or just being daft?

 

[Madam_max]

No it's not a schooling issue at all, she's naughty

. She just gets quite stong, but when you get her to stop she just bounces a LOT.

 

[Dressagebabe]

Hi,
If your horse has a fleshy tongue she will not settle with one of the thicker bits ie rubber or happy mouth as it takes up too much room in the mouth. You can check this by lifting her lip at the side where there is a section of teeth missing, if her tongue is bulging through the gap where there are no teeth then she has a fleshy mouth and will be far more suited to a narrower bar that sits in the mouth. If you speak to the lady that owns Bit Bank she will advise you which would suit both your Mare's shape mouth and your needs. You can loan any of her bits for up to 2 weeks then she knocks the rent charge off the total bill should you buy one. Myler bits tend to have a superb range of narrower type bits. I have the same problem with one of my dressage horses whom has a fleshy tongue and would head shake and fix the bit between his teeth, since reducing the amount of metal in his mouth he is very light and still in the hand. Hope this helps

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

I put my mare in a half moon snaffle which solved the fussy mouthed, 'thick tongue' evading issue but not our lack of brakes. Might be worth trying it although, like I say, if she is being strong as well it probably won't do the trick.

Currently trying a kimberwick... but will watch this thread for other ideas.

 

[Madam_max]

Thanks, that's very helpful. She's just very impatient at times and this is when she will stick her tongue over the bit or just bounce.

 

[seabiscuit]

I would try a myler gag they are very effective yet sympathetic

 

[Madam_max]

Myler's really confuse me. Can you point me in the right direction

 

[seabiscuit]

Design: A hybrid of a ring bit, shank bit and Hackamore. The design features a large center ring for mouthpiece attachment, a top ring for headstall attachment and a bottom ring for rein attachment. The bottom ring is directly attached to the center mouthpiece ring. The mouthpiece slides freely on the center ring until arrested by a “ring stop”.

Function: Automatically disperses or releases direct action and leverage pressures to the horse’s mouth, chin, nose and poll. Light pressure is applied to the mouth as the mouthpiece slides on the ring. After contacting the “ring stop,” the mouthpiece will engage completely and apply more downward pressure. Also, the backward and downward pressure of the noseband and the forward pressure of the curb strap are extremely effective at asking a horse to relax at the poll.

Usage: Used in both English and Western disciplines.

Options: Short Shank, Long Shank, Variety of mouthpieces.

 

[seabiscuit]

I would try the Myler short shank one first!

You can get them from
http://www.themylerbitbank.co.uk/

 

[kombikids]

to the user recommending the myler shank bit - do you think this would be suitable for a horse who is VERY fussy in her mouth, i ride bitless at the mo in a blair patten (short shanked hackamore) which she is happy in although can take a hold by putting her head down and leaning on it occasionaly if we are having a blow out! shes happy in this but wont take any bit i have tried so far - a happy mouth straight bar an eggbutt - the best she goes is in a myler low port comfort snaffle. shes a tb with a fat tongue and just headshakes with a bit in her mouth. people have recommended the same bit you have - do you think its worth a try? sorry to hijack post!

 

[SALLYT]

My gelding has a very large tongue, he came to me in a cambridge snaffle or happy mouth as they are called, although the bit was narrow the port was ineffective as again it just sat on his tongue as his tongue was too fleshy for it to offer him any comfort.
I then tried a waterford which he also hated, currently I am riding in a loose ring french snaffle and its the best he has ever been, he mouths up a treat and I no longer get him pulling down on the bit and generally being unhappy.

I did resort to a bitless bridle and he went nicely in that, but the french link was suggested and I have never looked back.

I'm mot sure if this would be a suitable bit for brakes, but maybe something similar with the lozenge.

Hope it helps.