Which bit is better?!?!?

[Ashleigh02]

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.

He doesn’t respond at all to the egg but Mullen mouth. It was like hanging onto a train lol is there one that’s in the middle?

 

[Ashleigh02]

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.

Hi! That all sounds good apart from half halts toward the jump. I tried this and he goes sideways and he can jump the jump sideways too. Not very comfortable for me lol

 

[Ashleigh02]

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.

From what I’ve seen of him with the different bits I’ve tried he hates any sort of joint but that was before I did a lot of work with him so may be a little more willing to work with me and accept a joint. If not I’ll go back to Mullen. I just need an inbetween of what I’ve got at the minute. He’s not got enough power in the Pelham to do bigger jumps but the Cambridge snaffle is uncomfortable for him

 

[TotalMadgeness]

The only bits that seem to work with my two are from horsemanship saddlery. Have you had a look at their range? They're reasonably priced too. I've currently got a Lip Relief Eclipse in my IDx who can be very strong and grabs the bit. So far he's been an angel in it. https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/bits.html

For yours maybe something like this https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/ourshop/prod_5489245-HP-Hanging-Cheek-Baucher-Snaffle.html

 

[Annagain]

Getting my horse comfortable in a bit was answer to him stopping pulling and fiddling with it. For him, it was a mullen mouth hanging cheek but that doesn't mean it would work for yours - none of the ones pictured are mullen mouths but Myler do one. All you can do is try. He improved even more with a Micklem bridle. My trainer has a theory that the reason some horses like the Micklem is that it holds the bit very still - when you combine this with a mullen mouth hanging cheek which is also very still, it certainly makes sense in my boy's case, he hated anything that moved in his mouth. Because he was fighting the bit less, when I did have cause to use it, he listened.

I agree with others who say it's a schooling issue but I also appreciate you can't always safely replicate the conditions in which the horse needs schooling so from time to time, the pelham might be called for if him not respecting another bit could cause a safety issue. My boy was perfect in 99% of situations but for exciting stuff, he'd get so over the top, that I'd have no brakes in his normal bit. I couldn't school it out of him because he was already well schooled but just lost his mind in some situations, the schooling went out the window and he wouldn't listen.

 

[Ashleigh02]

Getting my horse comfortable in a bit was answer to him stopping pulling and fiddling with it. For him, it was a mullen mouth hanging cheek but that doesn't mean it would work for yours - none of the ones pictured are mullen mouths but Myler do one. All you can do is try. He improved even more with a Micklem bridle. My trainer has a theory that the reason some horses like the Micklem is that it holds the bit very still - when you combine this with a mullen mouth hanging cheek which is also very still, it certainly makes sense in my boy's case, he hated anything that moved in his mouth. Because he was fighting the bit less, when I did have cause to use it, he listened.

I agree with others who say it's a schooling issue but I also appreciate you can't always safely replicate the conditions in which the horse needs schooling so from time to time, the pelham might be called for if him not respecting another bit could cause a safety issue. My boy was perfect in 99% of situations but for exciting stuff, he'd get so over the top, that I'd have no brakes in his normal bit. I couldn't school it out of him because he was already well schooled but just lost his mind in some situations, the schooling went out the window and he wouldn't listen.

Your so much better at explaining than I am. This is exactly what mines like. Perfect 99 percent of the time. I mean on our daily hack I ride him with my reins on his neck and my hands on my thighs lol. Just exciting situations I have nothing and I can’t replicate in a school because he knows the horse infront ain’t going no where I might have a look at that bridle. Thank you

 

[eahotson]

Kick

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 .

 

[eahotson]

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 a. Kick a kings are made by poor schooling.

 

[Quigleyandme]

You say the bit fitter recommended that you try a hanging cheek bit. Did you have a ridden assessment with the bit they recommended in order to arrive at that recommendation? Did they record your horse’s history, note your issues and concerns, undertake a thorough examination of your horse’s mouth, head and general anatomy. Did they assess the fit of your bridle? I only ask because I had a bit and bridle fitter to my two youngsters recently and that is the service I received from her except I had a stable assessment only. I had some difficulty actually getting hold of the kit she recommended which was frustrating but the bits and bridles arrived on Monday and she has been so helpful with advising on positioning the bit remotely via the little videos I’ve sent her. I can’t believe the difference the right bridle and bit has made to a young horse that before now has been totally resistant to every bit I’ve tried and reduced me to sobs. A simple D ring thin jointed snaffle with a roller barrel attached to a Horsemanship Saddlery bridle with a headpiece that suits his anatomy and he couldn‘t make his approval any more obvious.

 

[Sleipnir]

I happen to have both of these exact bits. My older gelding has a very fleshy mouth with a large tongue and a low palate, plus he can be quite fussy so prefers a stiller bit. The barrel mouth hanging cheek is perfect for him and it also helps with his tendency to tank off while hacking, as this bit fits better and I can give clearer aids.

My youngster wears the golden one and it also fits him very well, as he is not as fussy as my eldest. However, of course, a bit won't substitute training...