Whats wrong? horse won't be ridden in a bit

[mongy46]

My horse has a small mouth, fat tongue, low palate.
What ever bit I put him in he trys to get his tongue over the bit, and won't take a contact.
If I push him on he explodes.
Had his teeth checked, just wondering if he has something wrong with his poll?
Strangely he will take a contact if I attach reins to the noseband. He is the same with lunging, will only lean on noseband, does an abrupt halt if attached to the bit.
Has anyone had anything similar?

 

[Darkwater]

Jaw problems possibly? My little mare has a degenerative problem with her jaw and in the past we had a lot of problems with trying to find a bit she was happy in (this was before we knew about her jaw - we originally thought the problem was with her mouth/teeth). She is now ridden bitless and perfectly happy. Is this a new problem or something which has come on suddenly? I might be completely wrong, but the problems you describe sound very similar to what we experienced. It sounds like he might be happier in a bitless bridle, what bit are you riding in at the moment?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

My horse has a small mouth, fat tongue, low palate.

have you tried a peewee bit? My older Exmoor wouldn't tolerate anything other than that very well, he loved the peewee.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Mmmmm, this is bound to be a pain issue, somewhere.

Personally I would consider asking a vet to come and take a look; and/or a physio or chiropractor, because sure as eggs your horse is telling you something and you really can't afford to ignore it.

 

[Cortez]

How old? How much training? Do you have an instructor/trainer? What is your level of experience/expertise?

 

[mongy46]

This is an ongoing problem. Kk spenger ultra 14mm bradoon.
What bitless bridle do you use?
Do you mind me asking how you discovered jaw problem?

 

[mongy46]

Hi have had vets, and camera, and they can't find anything. May get a physio to have a look.

 

[mongy46]

No I haven't. Will have a look at one, thanks

 

[mongy46]

He is 12. I am quite experienced.
I train him six days a week, but mostly on the lunge as I can't ride him.
I have one of the top osteopaths Gavin Scofield, and trainers.

 

[mongy46]

Jaw problems possibly? My little mare has a degenerative problem with her jaw and in the past we had a lot of problems with trying to find a bit she was happy in (this was before we knew about her jaw - we originally thought the problem was with her mouth/teeth). She is now ridden bitless and perfectly happy. Is this a new problem or something which has come on suddenly? I might be completely wrong, but the problems you describe sound very similar to what we experienced. It sounds like he might be happier in a bitless bridle, what bit are you riding in at the moment?

That's interesting. What bitless bridle do you use please? Is it a micklem?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

This may sound like a silly question but have you had someone check the fit of the bit? Often when horses put their tongue over the bit, it is because the bit is fitted too low. I 2nd the suggestion of the PeeWee, I used one with 2 different horses who both responded well.

 

[mongy46]

This may sound like a silly question but have you had someone check the fit of the bit? Often when horses put their tongue over the bit, it is because the bit is fitted too low. I 2nd the suggestion of the PeeWee, I used one with 2 different horses who both responded well.

Have the bit quite high so he can't get tongue over. Have ordered a peewee bit, will let you know how I get on, thank you.

 

[theoilbaron]

Would be interested to know how you get on with peewee as I have similar problem.