Your Thoughts And Experiences Please (bitting a baby)

[lelly]

I have just backed my three year old cob and she is being very lightly ridden. It's all going well but I'm wondering if I can make things better for her as regards bitting. She has a very fleshy mouth with a fat tongue and a low palate. I put her in a double jointed bit with a lozenge at first but she used to throw her head up at any contact at all. I have her in a Mullen mouth eggbutt now which she accepts well. My worry is that this could be a bit harsh and I don't want to spoil her mouth. Any thoughts on a more suitable bit or should I stick with what I'm doing? I may ride her bittles eventually but I like to ride in a bit in the early days of training.

 

[Wheels]

A mullen snaffle is not a harsh bit but I find it's not very refined and can make a horse heavy in the hand with a fixed cheek and also no joint. Having said that, if she's going ok in it then carry on.

Some of the double jointed bits have a centre plate that is too wide and the joints sit on the bars of the horses mouth which is very easily damaged. Some horses actually prefer a single joint and some a mullen.

If there is not much room in the horses mouth then a thinner mouthpiece can help

 

[Speedyfluff]

I have just backed my three year old cob and she is being very lightly ridden. It's all going well but I'm wondering if I can make things better for her as regards bitting. She has a very fleshy mouth with a fat tongue and a low palate. I put her in a double jointed bit with a lozenge at first but she used to throw her head up at any contact at all. I have her in a Mullen mouth eggbutt now which she accepts well. My worry is that this could be a bit harsh and I don't want to spoil her mouth. Any thoughts on a more suitable bit or should I stick with what I'm doing? I may ride her bittles eventually but I like to ride in a bit in the early days of training.

A mullen mouthed eggbutt is a very mild bit. Not severe in the slightest. Horses with fleshy tongues often prefer a thinner bit. Bits with central lozenges can make their tongues sore. Other horses like them so it's trial and error. However, never use a bit that is thicker than 16mm because that is the amount of space there is between the upper and lower bars of the mouth when it is closed. People often get thicker bits thinking they are mild, then clamp the mouth closed which causes the bars of the mouth to be squashed down on the bit causing pressure. Some horses prefer a single joint, but if you go for just a single joint, only get one which is curved to avoid hitting the low roof of the mouth. JP bits or nue schule demi anky, for example.

 

[Nudibranch]

The current youngster goes well in a full cheek french link happy mouth with copper roller. The nylon is warmer but keep an eye out for teeth marks. Have used bradoons with success before now. One thing is as above, avoid the thick bits, especially the traditional rubber straight bars!

 

[BSL]

As said by others, thin bit kinder for mouth with not much room. Just keep an eye on teeth, lots of changes in short space of time.

 

[ConnieLeah]

Gary Witheford recommended I used a Myler bit with a lozenge for my youngster. The curved shape seems to be going down well. She wasn't happy in any single jointed bits, and I found a few others I tried were just to wide for her mouth

 

[Brummyrat]

As said by others, thin bit kinder for mouth with not much room. Just keep an eye on teeth, lots of changes in short space of time.

True...my 3 year old had his teeth done end of last summer, he was backed slowly over winter then at the beginning of spring he started not wanting to take a contact at all. Got dentist out and his teeth were so sharp again poor boy. Its been 20 years since Ive had a youngster and I'd forgotten that babies usually need their teeth done every six months, won't forget again :-(

 

[lelly]

Thanks for your replies everyone. She had the dentist three weeks ago, he fetched four caps off and lightly rasped edges. He said her teeth were as they should be. She does see him every six months so should be ok there. I think I will carry on with the Mullen mouth for now but if she gets a bit heavy on it I will re assess. Your replies have been very helpful.