What kind of bit is right for my horse?

[goussberry]

Currently, my boy is on a straight bar happy mouth made from rubber, with rubber bit guards. This was the bit that came with his tack when i bought him, but I'm looking to change it. He's not usually strong or sharp (in fact, he can resemble a sack of potatoes sometimes), but he hates having his bridle put on - he'll throw his head up into the corner of the stable and I feel like part of this may be to do with the bit guards, so I would like to try something without those just to see if it makes a difference.

Generally what I do with him in schooling and small jumps (outside of usual lessons).

Thanks in advance!

 

[10wardd]

are you sure the reluctance is due to the bit and not a health issue? Have you had his teeth checked recently, or checked for mouth abscesses? Or it could be that he doesn't want to have the bridle put on because it hurts him to be ridden perhaps because of an ill fitting saddle or bad back?

 

[goussberry]

are you sure the reluctance is due to the bit and not a health issue? Have you had his teeth checked recently, or checked for mouth abscesses? Or it could be that he doesn't want to have the bridle put on because it hurts him to be ridden perhaps because of an ill fitting saddle or bad back?

I'm currently having his back worked on, and having a new saddle fitted, the reluctance has got a lot worse in the last month - previously he'd give me his mouth but now he's doing his giraffe impression and clamping is teeth down

 

[Luci07]

So many reasons why he could be throwing his head up. It could even be his ears..mine started doing that and he had bad flies bites right down in his ear so a bridle pulling over them was painful.

If your horse is physically alright (was he vet checked when you bought him?) then could be worth contacting something like the bit bank for advice. Also, look at the physical structure of your horses face. Does he have a thick tongue? Is the bit wide enough? Is his jaw narrow (had a big TB and standard rings were catching behind his jaw, ended up in the snaffle from a double bridle) and so on. I have collected a big range of bits over the years and, providing they are the right size, find I need to play around with a few to see which the horse prefers so really worth borrowing other bits first, just keep it simple to start with.

 

[goussberry]

So many reasons why he could be throwing his head up. It could even be his ears..mine started doing that and he had bad flies bites right down in his ear so a bridle pulling over them was painful.

If your horse is physically alright (was he vet checked when you bought him?) then could be worth contacting something like the bit bank for advice. Also, look at the physical structure of your horses face. Does he have a thick tongue? Is the bit wide enough? Is his jaw narrow (had a big TB and standard rings were catching behind his jaw, ended up in the snaffle from a double bridle) and so on. I have collected a big range of bits over the years and, providing they are the right size, find I need to play around with a few to see which the horse prefers so really worth borrowing other bits first, just keep it simple to start with.

I hadn't thought of fly bites, and the sudden change in behaviour might suggest that. He passed the 5* vetting when I bought him, nothing was mentioned about his ears/jaw/face - the only comment was "good clean legs" if I remember correctly. He does have quite a thick tongue and my instructor said they used the bit guards to prevent pinching so perhaps the bit is a little small for him.

I forgot to mention to 10wardd that I've not had his teeth checked or checked for abscesses, that's a good idea to look out for.

 

[Deltaflyer]

I think in your place teeth & mouth would be the first thing I'd have checked, especially if it's a new behaviour. How long have you had him and how old is he?

 

[goussberry]

I think in your place teeth & mouth would be the first thing I'd have checked, especially if it's a new behaviour. How long have you had him and how old is he?

Thank you I will do. I've had him for 7 months now, and he turned 7 in May. He was always a little reluctant, but it got better (to the point where it was almost perfect) and now it's worse than I've ever seen it.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Check the riddle first; are you sure that the browband is long enough and doesn't pinch his ears, has he chewed his bit, so that now it irritates him? If you think that the bit guards are causing a problem, try riding him without them. Your RI should be able to tell you if his bit is the correct size.