Young horse and bitting help

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YogaNurse

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I have had my 4 year old ride and drive cob for a few weeks now. He is backed but green. I haven’t ridden him at home yet but have been doing ground work. I have him in a comfort snaffle bit (like the myler) which he’s worn twice. He tends to play with the bit in his mouth, not excessively.

When I tried him they had borrowed someone else’s bit as he didn’t have his own tack, and had been driven in a driving bit. Does this mean he prefers something that’s straighter or is it a good thing he is mouthing to some degree? As I’ve read conflicting info!
 
Without seeing him in the flesh it is impossible to say; some moving of the bit is fine, constant or excessive playing with the tongue is not. Do you have an instructor to advise you? If the horse is very green and you are not experienced then I would highly recommend that you get some help with your young horse.
 
Cortez said:
Without seeing him in the flesh it is impossible to say; some moving of the bit is fine, constant or excessive playing with the tongue is not. Do you have an instructor to advise you? If the horse is very green and you are not experienced then I would highly recommend that you get some help with your young horse.
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I have owned horses for over 15 years, so I wouldn’t say I’m inexperienced as such. As I explained, it’s not excessive and I will continue to be doing work with him in the next few weeks before I see my instructor. He doesn’t look uncomfortable he is just playing with it intermittently. I don’t want to change unnecessarily.
 
SpringArising said:
It could be that the bit is sitting a touch too low in his mouth.
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Indeed; you could try raising it a hole on each side and see if that settles him. Many young horses muck about with the bit - not surprising as it is a new sensation for them, but doing so excessively could lead to them putting the tongue over, and the ultimate goal is for them to just hold the bit and "accept" it. If they're over-active it will interfere with all the mouth aids and they will have trouble "hearing" your signals down the reins.
 
Cortez said:
Indeed; you could try raising it a hole on each side and see if that settles him. Many young horses muck about with the bit - not surprising as it is a new sensation for them, but doing so excessively could lead to them putting the tongue over, and the ultimate goal is for them to just hold the bit and "accept" it. If they're over-active it will interfere with all the mouth aids and they will have trouble "hearing" your signals down the reins.
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It is definitely in the right place, I wouldn’t want to put it any higher. I am just wondering if he would be happier in a straight bar. I wouldn’t personally choose to use one but they are common in driving so maybe he would feel more comfortable in one.
 
A driving bit is normally a Liverpool which has a long curb. At just 4 years of age he, hopefully, hasn't done much in the way or work in harness or under saddle and his inconsistent contact is just a baby phase.

Fulmers with a shaped mouth are my go to for young horses. Everything seems to like them and steering can be done with an open rein if needed.
 
AdorableAlice said:
A driving bit is normally a Liverpool which has a long curb. At just 4 years of age he, hopefully, hasn't done much in the way or work in harness or under saddle and his inconsistent contact is just a baby phase.

Fulmers with a shaped mouth are my go to for young horses. Everything seems to like them and steering can be done with an open rein if needed.
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Fab, I’ll give this a try. Thank you
 
The driving liverpool can be used as a snaffle- so hopefully this is what he had it used as- my 4YO is in one (to drive) and on the plain cheek there is no curb action at all. They come in all the different mouth pieces (including myler) though mullen mouth or straight bar are most common. If he's not mouthing excessively I would stick the myler type for a bit, he's quite possibly only now learning what contact truly means. Not many cobs will have tongue space for a straight bar.
 
rara007 said:
The driving liverpool can be used as a snaffle- so hopefully this is what he had it used as- my 4YO is in one (to drive) and on the plain cheek there is no curb action at all. They come in all the different mouth pieces (including myler) though mullen mouth or straight bar are most common. If he's not mouthing excessively I would stick the myler type for a bit, he's quite possibly only now learning what contact truly means. Not many cobs will have tongue space for a straight bar.
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Thank you, this is useful. I Just had a look at the original pictures I was sent, it looks as though he was driven in the Liverpool. However, the bit I tried (riding) him in was different. I will try and continue with the myler and see how he goes!
 
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