Which bit?

[miskettie]

I have a 6/7 year old arab x with a very small mouth. She is currently in a hanging cheek jointed snaffle, but although she has a high head carriage, she has just started to lean on the bit when I am schooling her. She particularly leans on one side, so this i know is a riding fault, but maybe there is a bit out there that helps? She is not strong when out hacking, so she doesn't need a strong bit. It also has to be dressage legal.

Any ideas?

 

[Sol]

If she has a small mouth, maybe a hanging cheek with a lozenge/french link would be more comfortable for her? Not entirely sure, but as there is more flexibility it may also help with her leaning on one side of the bit...
However, my lad used to (still does slightly) lean on one side of his bit - unfortunately it's not a quick fix as it's all schooling in his case anyway!

 

[teddyt]

If the teeth and saddle are ok and also ruling out the rider causing the problem, some horses lean one way because that is their weaker side and they need schooling to become stronger and more supple on that side. It could be a temporary issue due to reduced work in the winter meaning she has lost suppleness.

You could try a thin mouth loose ring french link snaffle, which will suit a small mouth.

 

[miskettie]

Thank you for your suggestions! She had her teeth done a month ago, so its not that.

I just went into a horse shop and asked one of the ladies there which bit she thought would suit my horse. She suggested a hanging cheek myler. Just wondered what other people thought of this bit.....as it's pretty expensive!

 

[KatB]

An arab typically has a dropped palat, so a single joint will be uncomfortable for her. Also a hanging cheek can work well for some horses, but can encourage leaning with others...

I personally would try something like the Neue schule team up bit, with a narrow mouthpiece. This will give room for the tongue, without interfering with the palat, and the loose ring and thin mouth piece will discourage leaning

 

[Old Bat]

I would recommend the Myler...I've used the myler hanging cheek for my welshies who have had low palates, they were very comfortable in it. also the independent side action can help with a one sided horse.

 

[vicksey]

I rate the full cheek, french link, really helped my boy who leens in the school

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

I was also going to recommend a myler as it has separate movement on either side of the joint! Therefore if she leans more on one side then you can work on the side without pulling on the other!