Which Bit?

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Hi guys,
First of all, please don't shout at me!
I have a 4yo ISH, he's doing very well but has a bit of time off due to teeth. He's currently in a Full cheek french link, but I want to upgrade it due to a few issues. Due to the discomfort he had in his mouth he's learnt to cross his jaw so needs a grackle. He's learnt to pull the reins out my hands and has got stong. For this I gave him a few months off to chill, get his teeth done etc. He's not as bad now, but if he gets in a grump, instead of crossing his jaw, he's yanking the reins out of my hands and shaking his head. He's got very strong on hacks recently due to being in due to old yard.
When I got him he was a very shy frightened little boy, but now he's ooozing in confidence and has become a bit cocky. I know he's unsettled being at a different yard, but I need a new bit anyway so want to hear your suggestions.
I would prefer a Myler bit and do not want a single jointed.
Something that he will respect me a bit more in.
I don't want him to be a metal mouth, he's only a baby!
 
hm_straight_hang.jpg


Perhaps a hanging cheek snaffle? Offers a little poll pressure but still quite kind.
 
I'm pretty useless with bits to be honest so thanks for your suggestion.
I know Myler do do a Level 1 hanging cheek.
Can you tell me the pros?

I was thinking about those bits with the two loops on the inside for attachment to cheekpieces and reins (not gag), do you know the one I mean?

I want a bit to relax his jaw and poll too :)
 
I agree with the Hanging cheek but I would have a french link rather than a straight, Cappy is in that and it is gentle but has a little bit of poll pressure. Our YO suggested and he goes nicely in it. When we got him he was in a Dutch gag and was a complete a*se hole, I think sometimes the gentler bits get more co-operation because they are not fighting it.

FDC
 
I 100% agree with this. He's had so much pain in his mouth bless him, he's so used to fighting it, but now he's just being a stubborn pain in the bum! He's definitely still anticipating the pain, even though I'm 100% sure it's not there as I've ridden him on Bute (for another reason) and he still did it and he was on a high dosage!!!!
Love him always though, just want a bit of respect back as I'm a quiet rider and hate getting 'loud' on him (haha).
 
To be honest I would keep it as simple as possible with a youngster.

I only reason I put the straight bar picture up is because you can't get a hanging cheek happy mouth french link very easily! (OP didnt want metal!) But the straight bar is flexible in the middle :D

Gentle poll pressure, still has the hanging cheek bit which offers some steering help like a full cheek(obs not as effective) and basic for a youngster
 
I would go with either the MB01 (dressage legal) hanging cheek or the MB04 (slightly ported) hanging cheek.

These are both comfort snaffle mouthpieces. I have used both mouthpieces on Jazz and he has become lovely and soft (but still needs a grakle as he also crosses his jaw).
 
Thank you so much for your suggestions guys :)
When I said metal mouth I meant a massive bit with loads of contraptions.
Someone at my own yard had a double bridle on her 6 year old for control... she wasn't that bad in my opinion! His bit now is metal, sorry for the confusion!

Sorry if I'm a bit dim, but why does a hanging cheek differ from other bits (in the way it works etc.)
 
Lol - oopps

With a hanging cheek the cheek piece is on a separate(smaller) ring to the reins(snaffle ring) so when there is pressure down the rein the hanging part is brought into action by putting pressure on the poll. Others may be able to explain better! The

To note = the bit can be used upside down which is harsher where the snaffle ring is on top and the cheek piece is attached to it and the rein is attached to the smaller ring.
 
Katd66 said:
To be honest I would keep it as simple as possible with a youngster.

I only reason I put the straight bar picture up is because you can't get a hanging cheek happy mouth french link very easily! (OP didnt want metal!) But the straight bar is flexible in the middle :D

Gentle poll pressure, still has the hanging cheek bit which offers some steering help like a full cheek(obs not as effective) and basic for a youngster
Click to expand...

What like this???!!!!! http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=153&xSec=15

lol!!!

If he's crossing his jaw the full cheek (well fitted) may help to stop him, in combination with the grackle. This myler bit has hooks so you still get some poll pressure, full cheek to aid with the jaw crossing and still comfort mouth, you also have the low port to aid with a bit of control. http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=118

Bear in mind though (depending on what discipline you are wanting to be working towards) anything with poll pressure or ports is not dressage legal to my knowledge.

but with regard to the snatching of the rein, have you tried using a martingale? It may help.
 
Katd66 said:
Lol - oopps

With a hanging cheek the cheek piece is on a separate(smaller) ring to the reins(snaffle ring) so when there is pressure down the rein the hanging part is brought into action by putting pressure on the poll. Others may be able to explain better! The

To note = the bit can be used upside down which is harsher where the snaffle ring is on top and the cheek piece is attached to it and the rein is attached to the smaller ring.
Click to expand...

This was in another thread but hanging cheeks are dressage legal so do not exert poll pressure, used upside down like you say they would but what you are describing there is pretty much a gag action.
 
Last edited:
competitiondiva said:
What like this???!!!!! http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=153&xSec=15

lol!!!

If he's crossing his jaw the full cheek (well fitted) may help to stop him, in combination with the grackle. This myler bit has hooks so you still get some poll pressure, full cheek to aid with the jaw crossing and still comfort mouth, you also have the low port to aid with a bit of control. http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=118

Bear in mind though (depending on what discipline you are wanting to be working towards) anything with poll pressure or ports is not dressage legal to my knowledge.

but with regard to the snatching of the rein, have you tried using a martingale? It may help.
Click to expand...

Doh!! I couldn't find a picture of one!!

Hanging cheek snaffles are dressage legal. Not sure about ported bits?
 
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