Which bit is better?!?!?

[Ashleigh02]

So my boy is very ignorant sometimes when it comes to asking to stop (mainly in a group or rushes a jump to get to other horses) . He is in a grackle and is in a Cambridge loose ring snaffle. He goes really well in a Pelham Mullen mouth but I feel like it holds him back too much when I ask for more power over a jump. I’ve been looking into these… any opinions on which to buy and try first as I feel like he responds well with the hanging cheeks. He’s not a massive fan of jointed bits but I didn’t know if it was just him being fussy at the start when I broke him in again after 5 years off. I know don’t fix what’s not broke but I want to make him more comfortable and I think the Cambridge snaffle isn’t comfortable for him anymore.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Which one is better is a bit of a false question as there is no better. Rushing like you describe is a schooling issue. If he needs a grackle already I wouldn't personally be adding leverage to the bit also.
When he doesn't want to stop does he tank through the bit, raise his head above the bit, dip below the bit, bite the bit and go? They are all different issues you could rectify with different bits.
You can also get a bit lady out to try lots of them at once if you have one local.

 

[Ashleigh02]

Thing is he’s perfect on his own it’s when other horses are added. In the Pelham he doesn’tshow discomfort but in the snaffle he does. I could be doing the exact same thing. That’s why I think it’s the bit. His teeth aren’t due till feb and physio not long been out. When I say discomfort he puts his head up and and bounces to avoid the bit when I put a decent amount of pressure on in the snaffle but in Pelham does nothing? I had a bit lady out who did suggest a hanging cheek but I want peoples experience with either of these

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

So my boy is very ignorant sometimes when it comes to asking to stop (mainly in a group or rushes a jump to get to other horses) . He is in a grackle and is in a Cambridge loose ring snaffle. He goes really well in a Pelham Mullen mouth but I feel like it holds him back too much when I ask for more power over a jump. I’ve been looking into these… any opinions on which to buy and try first as I feel like he responds well with the hanging cheeks. He’s not a massive fan of jointed bits but I didn’t know if it was just him being fussy at the start when I broke him in again after 5 years off. I know don’t fix what’s not broke but I want to make him more comfortable and I think the Cambridge snaffle isn’t comfortable for him anymore.

View attachment 99698View attachment 99699View attachment 99698

This was donated for charity if this is of any interest for you been given many new bits and rugs etc to sell for charity.. This is bran new

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Right, okay.
I had my horse in the mouth piece of the bits you have and he loved it but I don't have much experience of the hanging cheek etc.
Loose rings can rotate when engaged and pinch the lips if he has fleshy lips, so this might be part of the discomfort, it might be worth trying it with rubber protectors on the sides to see if that helps at all.

 

[Ashleigh02]

Right, okay.
I had my horse in the mouth piece of the bits you have and he loved it but I don't have much experience of the hanging cheek etc.
Loose rings can rotate when engaged and pinch the lips if he has fleshy lips, so this might be part of the discomfort, it might be worth trying it with rubber protectors on the sides to see if that helps at all.

I might try that. But he doesn’t have any lip sores or anything because that happened to my other boy so he had to wear rubbers on his loose ring.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I might try that. But he doesn’t have any lip sores or anything because that happened to my other boy so he had to wear rubbers on his loose ring.

you mean bit rings like these?? I have a pair also donated for charity lol

 

[Cortez]

If he goes better in a pelham, then ride him in a pelham, but it's not really about the bit, it's a schooling (and riding) issue. Bits are not brakes.

Oh, and the hanging cheek snaffles you have posted pictures are unlikely to be the solution either (see above comment) as they are just basically variations on a theme and not especially noted for solving the fairly major obedience/training problems you are describing.

 

[Ashleigh02]

If he goes better in a pelham, then ride him in a pelham, but it's not really about the bit, it's a schooling (and riding) issue. Bits are not brakes.

No I know boys are not brakes hence not wanting to use the Pelham. Like I said the Pelham is a little much so he is really slow and not going from behind when he is in the Pelham making jumping very difficult. I need like a middle ground which i was hoping was one of these two

 

[Cortez]

No I know boys are not brakes hence not wanting to use the Pelham. Like I said the Pelham is a little much so he is really slow and not going from behind when he is in the Pelham making jumping very difficult. I need like a middle ground which i was hoping was one of these two

Well, why don't you ride him more forward then? Pelhams/curb bits are not more "severe" than snaffles, they work in different ways that's all and the rider needs to learn how to use them. Do you have a riding instructor?

 

[Ashleigh02]

Well, why don't you ride him more forward then? Pelhams/curb bits are not more "severe" than snaffles, they work in different ways that's all and the rider needs to learn how to use them. Do you have a riding instructor?

That’s what I’m saying. He doesn’t go more forward. I don’t want a kick along pony where my legs feel like they will drop off after schooling! He’s perfect and forward in the snaffle he’s just uncomfortable when I put any pressure on his mouth but with the Pelham he shows no discomfort. Yes I do. I have 2 riding instructors. I’m not sure if the bar is too thin on the bit? And that’s why it’s uncomfortable as the pelhams bar is almost double the thickness. That’s the only difference I can think of. I have no issue with how he is as a horse when he’s comfortable I’m trying to stop him feeling uncomfortable with this snaffle he has and wanted peoples opinions on the bits I have attached

 

[Cortez]

That’s what I’m saying. He doesn’t go more forward. I don’t want a kick along pony where my legs feel like they will drop off after schooling! He’s perfect and forward in the snaffle he’s just uncomfortable when I put any pressure on his mouth but with the Pelham he shows no discomfort. Yes I do. I have 2 riding instructors. I’m not sure if the bar is too thin on the bit? And that’s why it’s uncomfortable as the pelhams bar is almost double the thickness. That’s the only difference I can think of. I have no issue with how he is as a horse when he’s comfortable I’m trying to stop him feeling uncomfortable with this snaffle he has and wanted peoples opinions on the bits I have attached

The snaffle is not a comfortable bit. It is your job to ride the horse more forward, and to train him to be more forward if he doesn't respond to your aids. My opinion on the bits you have posted pictures of is that they will not solve your basic problem; that would be addressed by the training of your horse and the improvement of your riding. Perhaps you need better instructors.

 

[Ashleigh02]

The snaffle is not a comfortable bit. It is your job to ride the horse more forward, and to train him to be more forward if he doesn't respond to your aids. My opinion on the bits you have posted pictures of is that they will not solve your basic problem; that would be addressed by the training of your horse and the improvement of your riding. Perhaps you need better instructors.

So your saying a horse will never be comfortable with a bit???? I know he’s not comfortable in the snaffle hence the post but the Pelham is too much for him. I’m not putting him back into a Pelham. It does not suit him. He doesn’t react like he does in the snaffle BUT he is also not right. My riding is fine thank you very much I’d just rather not turn him into a kick along when he is usually full of life and goes off the slightest ask.

 

[Ellibelli]

I've found different mouthpieces can make a huge difference to a horse's way of going. Have you tried riding in the pelham just off the top rein only and without a curb chain? I would imagine that would be a similar action to a hanging cheek snaffle and might answer your question about whether it's the mouthpiece that's the issue? I would try a bit fitter if you can get one though - my experience with them has been very positive.

 

[Ashleigh02]

I've found different mouthpieces can make a huge difference to a horse's way of going. Have you tried riding in the pelham just off the top rein only and without a curb chain? I would imagine that would be a similar action to a hanging cheek snaffle and might answer your question about whether it's the mouthpiece that's the issue? I would try a bit fitter if you can get one though - my experience with them has been very positive.

I’ve had a bit fitter out she told me to try hanging cheeks but before I brought one I wanted peoples opinions on the ones I added to the post. I’m very light with my hands anyway as I have a TB ex racer who absolutly hates being grabbed up

 

[SpotsandBays]

Send expert bits a message on Instagram or Facebook. They’re really helpful with queries and might be able to advise you which would be better for the conformation of your horses mouth.

 

[J_sarahd]

I’ve had a bit fitter out she told me to try hanging cheeks but before I brought one I wanted peoples opinions on the ones I added to the post. I’m very light with my hands anyway as I have a TB ex racer who absolutly hates being grabbed up

Did your bit fitter not tell you what mouthpiece they recommended? Did you try him in a hanging cheek when they were there and did he go better?

When I recently had a bit fitter, we tried several different bits and then she recommended an exact bit, which is one that we’d tried.

 

[Clodagh]

If it’s for Ol he has never been happy in a single joint. I can’t actually remember what he was backed in but I’m sure I used a JP French link snaffle with him, although I appreciate that was very early days of him being bitted.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

If it’s for Ol he has never been happy in a single joint. I can’t actually remember what he was backed in but I’m sure I used a JP French link snaffle with him, although I appreciate that was very early days of him being bitted.

I'm not sure I have ever met a horse that liked a single joint, they're really horribly designed to either cause immense crushing bar pressue or jab the roof of their mouths.

 

[Merlod]

Change one thing. If he goes well in a mullen pelham but it's a bit too much bit, then find a mullen hanging cheek? None of the above are mullen, the nearest would be the myler type one.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Maybe a thicker mouth piece would work thinner bits do tend to be harsher on the mouth, you can get ported snaffles similar to a Cambridge snaffle where the ported bit is a more graduated curve like the bomber bits and shires do a cheaper version.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I really like the bomber happy mouth for a non-jointed but ported mouthpiece

 

[ester]

Which one is better is a bit of a false question as there is no better. Rushing like you describe is a schooling issue. If he needs a grackle already I wouldn't personally be adding leverage to the bit also.
When he doesn't want to stop does he tank through the bit, raise his head above the bit, dip below the bit, bite the bit and go? They are all different issues you could rectify with different bits.
You can also get a bit lady out to try lots of them at once if you have one local.

Not sure if you meant the Pelham or the hanging cheek, there’s no leverage on a hanging cheek, IME they are mostly useful at keeping the bit stiller in the mouth when Mullen for those a bit fussy/shy to the contact/if they like a Mullen Pelham but you don’t want leverage.

I agree with the change one thing.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm not sure I have ever met a horse that liked a single joint, they're really horribly designed to either cause immense crushing bar pressue or jab the roof of their mouths.

It's bits for horses.

I have a wide range of various 'humane' nueue schule bits but the IDx is much happier in a single jointed fulmer snaffle.

My late saint of a cob detested single jointed bits but loved his pelham (jumping) and french link snaffle (competing to Medium).

 

[ester]

Oops ?

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Not sure if you meant the Pelham or the hanging cheek, there’s no leverage on a hanging cheek, IME they are mostly useful at keeping the bit stiller in the mouth when Mullen for those a bit fussy/shy to the contact/if they like a Mullen Pelham but you don’t want leverage.

I agree with the change one thing.

Sorry I meant the pelham
I would be interested in the mouth anatomy of your IDx if they like the single joint, that's very interesting!

 

[Tiddlypom]

She's got a fleshy tongue, has had serious dental issues in the past due to untreated overgrowth of a back molar into a diastema, and ought to be a prime candidate for a nice thin mouthpieced lozenge bit.

Instead..

 

[Nari]

It's bits for horses.

I have a wide range of various 'humane' nueue schule bits but the IDx is much happier in a single jointed fulmer snaffle.

My late saint of a cob detested single jointed bits but loved his pelham (jumping) and french link snaffle (competing to Medium).

My ID would tolerate a single joint but went so badly in a double joint or lozenge that he looked almost like a headshaker. My feeling was that they were too busy for his liking, too much going on in his mouth. His best bit was a mullen, though he could become a little strong in that at times.

As others have said it's a case of finding the right bit or the individual, there is no one best bit.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Some horses prefer a stiler bit a hanging cheek will do this, my Arabi is ridden in one it's a sweet iron with a lozenge hanging cheek he doesn't like any sort of loose ring bit.

 

[Jess1994PM]

Hey - I had a horse very similar to this especially when jumping. My favourites for his comfort and mine was the wilkie bit with a copper middle and 3 a ring Dutch gag. I only ever use the bottom ring for hunting which gave me more control but wouldn't make him shoot his head up over the jump as he usually would and I would use the second ring for hacking and jumping at home. Both bits need a light touch and a light hand, I would work on jumping at home too and practicing more half halts towards the jump. One thing I felt worked well was making him do circles until he slowed and relaxed and only then would I let him head for the jump.