What (dressage legal) bit for this horse?

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Broodle

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Hello All

My horse was in a nylon mullen mouth bit with eggbut cheeks for about a year when she first started proper schooling work after backing (she was really resistant to any contact in the jointed bits I tried, and a mullen mouth proved to be a good compromise). A couple of months ago my instructor mentioned that she thought this bit wasn't really 'subtle' enough for continuing her education, and suggested a loose ring double jointed bit with a central lozenge. I've been using this bit for a while now, and it's not really working out - she can go quite nicely in it, but is at times really gobby and can react quite violently to half halts.

So, I'm on the hunt for a bit that might suit a horse that likes a rigid mullen mouth, but that would give a better degree of control. Any suggestions? I'm going to discuss all this with my instructor at my next lesson, but it would be really nice to have some ideas to go to her with.

Many thanks in advance for any advice :)
 
I (well, my mare!) am a massive fan of NS and I find their advice really useful - they really spend time getting to know how your horse goes, you expectations from schooling and your comp needs, then explaining their suggestions to you so you can understand the reasoning behind them. Even if you decide the bit isn't for you, it is very educational!
Is the lozenge bit you are using shaped at all? Some of the unshaped ones can give rather too much tongue pressure for some horses. Purhaps the NS starter, or their eggbutt for a slighty more still contact if that is what you mare settles in? Maybe try a couple and see how you get on?
 
If she goes well in her mullen mouth bit then I would be inclined to leave her in it.

It is more than possible to school up to GP level in a mullen mouth. My instructor had one of her GP horses schooling at home in a mullen mouth.

Chose the bit the horse likes not what the instructor thinks the horse should wear.
 
Tempi said:
Im a big fan of mylers - lots of different options and styles and the mouth pieces are independant which i love. You can get them on trial here:

http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/su...yler&jssCart=76046e22bbdc7cdbf5b74da27950f9b6

Which is great as you can try out different ones and if it dosent suit your horse then send it back!
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for this. I've used a Myler before on a previous horse (typically, sold the bit during a clear out!), and don't know why I didn't think of them before. Will investigate.

ThePony said:
I (well, my mare!) am a massive fan of NS and I find their advice really useful - they really spend time getting to know how your horse goes, you expectations from schooling and your comp needs, then explaining their suggestions to you so you can understand the reasoning behind them. Even if you decide the bit isn't for you, it is very educational!
Is the lozenge bit you are using shaped at all? Some of the unshaped ones can give rather too much tongue pressure for some horses. Purhaps the NS starter, or their eggbutt for a slighty more still contact if that is what you mare settles in? Maybe try a couple and see how you get on?
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your reply. I have no experience at all of NS, but have read lots of good things so will definitely investigate further.

The lozenge on my current bit is sort of bullet-shaped - not sure whether that counts as 'shaped' or not! Have had a quick look at the NS starter bit and that looks really interesting, will definitely ask them about that one.

Interesting point about it maybe being the cheek that my horse doesn't like, not the mouthpiece... One to ask my instructor about I reckon.

Thanks again ThePony and Tempi :)
 
Evelyn said:
If she goes well in her mullen mouth bit then I would be inclined to leave her in it.

It is more than possible to school up to GP level in a mullen mouth. My instructor had one of her GP horses schooling at home in a mullen mouth.

Chose the bit the horse likes not what the instructor thinks the horse should wear.
Click to expand...

Many thanks for your advice Evelyn. This is certainly the cheapest and easiest of the options, and makes a lot of sense! I'm going to go back to the mullen mouth in the meantime anyway, and will have a proper chat with my instructor about exactly why she thinks a change of bit is necessary/desirable. Maybe I have misunderstood her, and she isn't actually concerned that the mullen mouth is a 'problem'.

I'm really glad I asked the question on here - your answers have all given me something to think about.
 
Funny, my trainer say almost the same thing. That the mullen mouth was fine for a "baby" but they need a different "grown up" bit.

I have recently tried a million types of bit for my horse that sounds similar to yours and after trying NS bits that didnt seem to make any difference we have settles with a happy mouth losenge hanging cheek. My trainer still thinks the happy mouth is a "baby" bit but our dentist has suggested it is best for her because she can be "chompy" at the begining of a session (soon settles down though - just first 5 mins) and she was wearing her teeth. Definatley having a fixed ring has made her more settled and confident in the contact.

I am really interested in the Mylers however. That was next on my loooong list of bits to try.
 
zxp said:
Funny, my trainer say almost the same thing. That the mullen mouth was fine for a "baby" but they need a different "grown up" bit.

I have recently tried a million types of bit for my horse that sounds similar to yours and after trying NS bits that didnt seem to make any difference we have settles with a happy mouth losenge hanging cheek. My trainer still thinks the happy mouth is a "baby" bit but our dentist has suggested it is best for her because she can be "chompy" at the begining of a session (soon settles down though - just first 5 mins) and she was wearing her teeth. Definatley having a fixed ring has made her more settled and confident in the contact.

I am really interested in the Mylers however. That was next on my loooong list of bits to try.
Click to expand...

Thanks zxp - frustrating isn't it?! I am worried that I am going to spend ££££s trying to find the perfect 'grown up' bit, and then realise that the baby bit was fine all along... Good luck with your quest! :D
 
Tempi said:
Im a big fan of mylers - lots of different options and styles and the mouth pieces are independant which i love. You can get them on trial here:

http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/su...yler&jssCart=76046e22bbdc7cdbf5b74da27950f9b6

Which is great as you can try out different ones and if it dosent suit your horse then send it back!
Click to expand...

I use a myler for my mare as well, but I've always found the horses that are a bit heavy on the bit go better in the mylers, and the light ones/ones that don't like contact don't seem to like them.
You can but try, why don't you contact the bit bank, hire out the bits before you buy them especially the expensive ones like myler and NS.
 
i think the problem with the mullen mouth is that you can't give rein aids with separate hands that only affect 1 side of the mouth, as you can with a jointed bit.
my first few choices after a mullen for baby work are: a kk ultra small-lozenge loose-ring, kk slightly-bigger-lozenge full cheek, hippus H510 (single-joint but limited movement because it is a covered smooth hinge rather than a swivel joint, so acts like a knee not an ankle joint - pm me if you want to try one). one of those three seems to suit just about every horse i've had for the last few years, but otherwise i go on, if necessary, to a myler 02 or 32 mouthpiece (the 32 is like a mullen but with independent side movement, might well be perfect for your horse).
 
Kerilli - do you - like Naryafluffy - fins that the Mylers make a horse that is resistant to taking a contact back off even more? Because this was my next choice (although *touch wood* we have found a good bit) for my little mare who does back off the contact...

Thanks in advance
 
no... umm, depends on the mouthpiece obv. the 32 is a bit too still for most horses imho, and the 02 can pinch the tongue so i'm wary of using it on anything except something that's being a bit rude about a very 'nice' bit such as my favourite lozenge kks or the hippus!
 
Naryafluffy said:
I use a myler for my mare as well, but I've always found the horses that are a bit heavy on the bit go better in the mylers, and the light ones/ones that don't like contact don't seem to like them.
You can but try, why don't you contact the bit bank, hire out the bits before you buy them especially the expensive ones like myler and NS.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply Naryafluffy. As it happens my horse was starting to get a bit heavy in the mullen mouth at times, having initially backed off any contact. Will definitely be using the bit bank (or ebay for secondhand) if I decide to try any of the expensive bits.

kerilli said:
i think the problem with the mullen mouth is that you can't give rein aids with separate hands that only affect 1 side of the mouth, as you can with a jointed bit.
my first few choices after a mullen for baby work are: a kk ultra small-lozenge loose-ring, kk slightly-bigger-lozenge full cheek, hippus H510 (single-joint but limited movement because it is a covered smooth hinge rather than a swivel joint, so acts like a knee not an ankle joint - pm me if you want to try one). one of those three seems to suit just about every horse i've had for the last few years, but otherwise i go on, if necessary, to a myler 02 or 32 mouthpiece (the 32 is like a mullen but with independent side movement, might well be perfect for your horse).
Click to expand...

Many thanks kerilli, that's really helpful. And your offer of the loan of a hippus bit is incredibly kind and generous, thank you, but I'd be far too worried about it going missing or getting damaged or something.

The Myler 32 mouthpiece looks very interesting indeed since, as you say, it seems to be basically a mullen mouth but with a solution to the problem of independent LHS and RHS aids. Interesting!
 
My immediate thought to your post was a myler MB32.
I have one sat in my bit box, you are welcome to borrow if you promise to send it back!
 
I think NS are brilliant bits too. Going to borrow my friends NS bit this afternoon and sees how my horse goes in the loose ring, she borrowed my fabby tranz angled NS pelham for jumping and has now gone and bought one for her horse with excellent results.

I think its because they are so well shaped and the mouthpiece is warm.
 
ihatework said:
My immediate thought to your post was a myler MB32.
I have one sat in my bit box, you are welcome to borrow if you promise to send it back!
Click to expand...

What kind people populate these forums!!! I can't believe I have had two offers of bit loans from people who don't know me at all. Thank you so much for your incredibly kind offer ihatework, but I would worry far too much about it getting lost in the post or something. I don't think I could bear the responsibility :o

applecart14 said:
I think NS are brilliant bits too. Going to borrow my friends NS bit this afternoon and sees how my horse goes in the loose ring, she borrowed my fabby tranz angled NS pelham for jumping and has now gone and bought one for her horse with excellent results.

I think its because they are so well shaped and the mouthpiece is warm.
Click to expand...

I'm not even sure I have seen a NS bit in the flesh, but they get such high praise on here that I will definitely do some research into them. Thanks for your reply.
 
kerilli said:
i think the problem with the mullen mouth is that you can't give rein aids with separate hands that only affect 1 side of the mouth, as you can with a jointed bit.
my first few choices after a mullen for baby work are: a kk ultra small-lozenge loose-ring, kk slightly-bigger-lozenge full cheek, hippus H510 (single-joint but limited movement because it is a covered smooth hinge rather than a swivel joint, so acts like a knee not an ankle joint - pm me if you want to try one). one of those three seems to suit just about every horse i've had for the last few years, but otherwise i go on, if necessary, to a myler 02 or 32 mouthpiece (the 32 is like a mullen but with independent side movement, might well be perfect for your horse).
Click to expand...

I like the sound of the hippus H510. My horse was difficult bit and is now in a sprenger duo as he likes the cambridge mouth piece and this was dressage legal. How does the hippus work?? Sorry to crash in :D
 
Sam100 said:
I like the sound of the hippus H510. My horse was difficult bit and is now in a sprenger duo as he likes the cambridge mouth piece and this was dressage legal. How does the hippus work?? Sorry to crash in :D
Click to expand...

have a look at their website,
http://www.hippus.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=35

they do eggbutts as well as loose rings, but i find the loose rings better, so far anyway... i think because there is slightly limited movement with the link (because it only moves in 1 plane, can't swivel). there are pics on the site. as above, pm me if you want to try one. there was some gossip that they aren't dressage legal but they are, they are basically just a single-joint loose-ring, and the FEI does not specify makes of bit that are or aren't allowed, just styles... and single-joint bits are allowed obv!

Katie_A, i pay for insurance when i post one, so no danger of losing out, don't worry... and as they're metal (medical grade stainless steel) i don't think it'd be possible to damage one, a little wear is totally acceptable obv. :) :)
 
I can vouch for hippus bits. I bought one from kerilli a while ago and it was the best jointed bit my Horse went in. However, he also is happier in mullen mouths. I use a ported dalehead but it's not dressage legal. He splits his mouth on anything with joints, but not if it's unjointed, no matter how hard he pulls!

Another possibilty - danger bits. The design was bought by Sprenger a while ago. They look like normal lozenge bits but lock after a certain amount of closure, similar to mylers. I know some Horses hate mylers, and some love them!

See here.

http://www.aivly.co.uk/product_79500.htm
 
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