Wrong bit?

[Peglo]

After doing a bit of research and trying a couple of loose ring bits (loose ring just never sat properly in her mouth) I bought a NS eggbutt turtle top bit for my 6yr old haffie in may. I felt she went well in it, she could be forward but I never felt she was strong or getting away from me or trying to evade the bit. She has just been good. I’ve only done a bit of riding in fields or hacking but I’ve noticed in videos or photos she’s opening her mouth but only when being asked to slow down. I’m fairly sure I’m not hauling her mouth and she doesn’t feel like she’s fighting me but she is opening her mouth. I didn’t know when riding her as she’s felt fine but now I’ve seen it in video/photos I’m worried it’s not comfortable for her.
I don’t ride her in a nose band as I just felt it was extra cleaning and she hasn’t shown she’s unhappy but do you think I should try a different bit? TIA

 

[Cortez]

After doing a bit of research and trying a couple of loose ring bits (loose ring just never sat properly in her mouth) I bought a NS eggbutt turtle top bit for my 6yr old haffie in may. I felt she went well in it, she could be forward but I never felt she was strong or getting away from me or trying to evade the bit. She has just been good. I’ve only done a bit of riding in fields or hacking but I’ve noticed in videos or photos she’s opening her mouth but only when being asked to slow down. I’m fairly sure I’m not hauling her mouth and she doesn’t feel like she’s fighting me but she is opening her mouth. I didn’t know when riding her as she’s felt fine but now I’ve seen it in video/photos I’m worried it’s not comfortable for her.
I don’t ride her in a nose band as I just felt it was extra cleaning and she hasn’t shown she’s unhappy but do you think I should try a different bit? TIA

No, I think you need to do a bit more training and make sure you, and she, really understand how to respond to the bit. People forget (or perhaps don't know) that there are two ends to the reins - the horse's end, and the rider's end, and that the rider is the only one that can release.

 

[Peglo]

No, I think you need to do a bit more training and make sure you, and she, really understand how to respond to the bit. People forget (or perhaps don't know) that there are two ends to the reins - the horse's end, and the rider's end, and that the rider is the only one that can release.

thank you for the reply. I know my riding needs a lot of work but unfortunately I don’t have anyone that can take me to lessons at the moment with the riding school being 15 miles away. I’m not doing much riding atm being dark the whole time and the weather being so crap but will just take it easy for now. I googled ‘horse opening mouth’ and it came up saying it’s usually the bit but thought it better to ask here so that’s been helpful. Given me a lot to think about and will do some research until I can get regular lessons. Thank you.

 

[Cortez]

thank you for the reply. I know my riding needs a lot of work but unfortunately I don’t have anyone that can take me to lessons at the moment with the riding school being 15 miles away. I’m not doing much riding atm being dark the whole time and the weather being so crap but will just take it easy for now. I googled ‘horse opening mouth’ and it came up saying it’s usually the bit but thought it better to ask here so that’s been helpful. Given me a lot to think about and will do some research until I can get regular lessons. Thank you.

It is really, really difficult to progress without "eyes on the ground": an instructor is key to learning a difficult, complicated and highly skilled art. Good luck to you and your pony with what is a fascinating journey.

 

[Peglo]

It is really, really difficult to progress without "eyes on the ground": an instructor is key to learning a difficult, complicated and highly skilled art. Good luck to you and your pony with what is a fascinating journey.

thank you. She’s been so fun so far and I owe it to her that I improve. Very much looking forward to expanding my knowledge and riding with plenty of help!

 

[Kaylum]

Where does the bit fit in the mouth? What's your bridle like? Does the bit hit the molars? So many different questions you need someone to look really x

 

[Urshee]

reins also have leverage so even if the rider thinks they arent pulling much, the leverage increases the pressure on sensitive mouth, maybe thats the case?

 

[Peglo]

Where does the bit fit in the mouth? What's your bridle like? Does the bit hit the molars? So many different questions you need someone to look really x

i just ride in a normal standard bridle. Nothing fancy.
It sits along the bars but it was really hard to judge when the reins are picked up as she wouldn’t stay still enough to check.
I wonder if she has quite a fleshy mouth. (Compared to my other 2 anyway)

your right, I need to get a more expert opinion. Thank you.

 

[Peglo]

reins also have leverage so even if the rider thinks they arent pulling much, the leverage increases the pressure on sensitive mouth, maybe thats the case?

yes good point. Definitely something to consider.
I’ve tried a eggbutt snaffle and double jointed loose ring with her before this bit and I’m not sure she was much better in either. The snaffle she chewed continuously but I only had it in a couple of times when I first got her so everything would’ve been very new for her.
I think until I get some lessons sorted I will take it easy. She’s pretty good with voice commands so will work on that for the mean time.

 

[Jellymoon]

I think if she’s happy in this bit, and going well as you say, only opening mouth a bit out hacking when you are slowing down, I wouldn’t change anything too much. You could try training yourself to feel when she’s opening her mouth, or about to, and just soften your hands a bit at that point. Once you are able to start schooling and having lessons, then you can address it more.
Usually if they don’t like their bit, you get quite obvious reactions to it, like head tossing, sticking head up and taking off, constant chomping and extreme mouth opening. And there’s no real logic to it, they are all different and like different things.
I also use nosebands, but I never ever do them up really tight. I like drops or Mexican grackles the best, with comfort bridles, or something like a Micklem.

 

[Peglo]

I think if she’s happy in this bit, and going well as you say, only opening mouth a bit out hacking when you are slowing down, I wouldn’t change anything too much. You could try training yourself to feel when she’s opening her mouth, or about to, and just soften your hands a bit at that point. Once you are able to start schooling and having lessons, then you can address it more.
Usually if they don’t like their bit, you get quite obvious reactions to it, like head tossing, sticking head up and taking off, constant chomping and extreme mouth opening. And there’s no real logic to it, they are all different and like different things.
I also use nosebands, but I never ever do them up really tight. I like drops or Mexican grackles the best, with comfort bridles, or something like a Micklem.

this is reassuring. Thank you. Sad that it seems most likely I haven’t been listening to her but very glad for the advice so I can try and do better.

I really like the look of the Micklem but wasn’t sure about using one. Once I get lessons I will get some advice on bridles ?

 

[J&S]

You might like to think about teaching her to react to your seat/thighs to slow down and even halt. Its quite surprising how well this works.

 

[Peglo]

You might like to think about teaching her to react to your seat/thighs to slow down and even halt. Its quite surprising how well this works.

Yes I was actually just looking at this last night. Definitely something I would like to put into practice. Thank you. ?

 

[Cortez]

You might like to think about teaching her to react to your seat/thighs to slow down and even halt. Its quite surprising how well this works.

Surprising? Ha ha ha!

 

[LegOn]

So Charlotte Dujurdan has said a few little phrases that always stuck with me - 'long reins dont win Gold Medals' and you always push, never pull (maybe that one was Carl!)

But I think its a really important thing for downward transitions, its only a split second but its that critical moment between pulling back into a transition and pushing forward. So when you prepare your downwards transitions, again body is hugely important but just as they step out of one pace to the other you really need to focus on breathing out through your reins and hands and giving forward into the transition rather than pulling back. Its might only be the slightest shift in your weight that you might not even be aware of!

Literally if you visualise it, watch some good videos online of how to prepare for downwards transitions - you can really focus on that moment of push into the pace, rather than pulling back, and I'm definitely not saying you are pulling but its quite a natural thing for our body to do going down in pace, there is some sub-conscious regulation of the transition and pace. Even when you think of your transition always say 'coming forward to trot or walk, never coming back to trot or walk'. Its that psychological thing of 'back' rather than 'forward' that will keep you and your horse soft in the contact through the whole moment of the transition and keep their mouth relaxed and still.

 

[Peglo]

So Charlotte Dujurdan has said a few little phrases that always stuck with me - 'long reins dont win Gold Medals' and you always push, never pull (maybe that one was Carl!)

But I think its a really important thing for downward transitions, its only a split second but its that critical moment between pulling back into a transition and pushing forward. So when you prepare your downwards transitions, again body is hugely important but just as they step out of one pace to the other you really need to focus on breathing out through your reins and hands and giving forward into the transition rather than pulling back. Its might only be the slightest shift in your weight that you might not even be aware of!

Literally if you visualise it, watch some good videos online of how to prepare for downwards transitions - you can really focus on that moment of push into the pace, rather than pulling back, and I'm definitely not saying you are pulling but its quite a natural thing for our body to do going down in pace, there is some sub-conscious regulation of the transition and pace. Even when you think of your transition always say 'coming forward to trot or walk, never coming back to trot or walk'. Its that psychological thing of 'back' rather than 'forward' that will keep you and your horse soft in the contact through the whole moment of the transition and keep their mouth relaxed and still.

this is really helpful. Thank you. I will have a look online and hopefully be able to put into practice. Will see if OH will video me so I can asses what I’m actually doing.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I've not been able to have lessons in person for over two years now for various reasons and am missing them. I've found videoing myself to be really helpful. I have also done online training which allowed me access to a great trainer at the opposite end of the country which I found more helpful than I would have thought possible, it also taught me to be more analytical and able to assess my riding.

I put the camera on a tripod and video schooling sessions, I've found it works better as OH gets bored!

 

[J&S]

Not surprising that it WOULD work, but when I was first taught what to do it was very surprising to go from canter to halt......... I nearly carried on over the top!!