Which Bit?

[puzzles]

Hello,
When Puzzles is ridden he 'goes' in several diffeent ways; when he goes well he moves with engagement, on the bit and responsive (incredibly), etc, but he also tends to go behind the bit, really tucking his head in, and as when he bolts and gets very tense/confused/excited/distracted he puts his head up blindly and sometimes tosses it a bit, i am inclined to think that - as he is a cvery resposive, tense and sentative horse - he is afraidof his mouth and resists by avoiding the contact.
he also froths a lot. he's ridden in a flash nnodeband and rudding martingale (i can't help this, i would have them off if it were my choice, henestly) and full cheel stainless steel snaffle (i can't remember ifit is single-jointed/french link, etc, but it is either double or single-jointed).
i remember an article in horse and rider a few years back featuring 3 horses who had bitting problems - just minor ones - and all weere healed in minutes using mylers. i love myler bits anyway and would love to use one - puzzles is a level2 or 2/3 - and i thinkheneeds better steering and less tongue pressure due to his head -tucking.
there was an exracehorse youngster who was tried in ashort shank whichhelped him to extend his neck and relax more as he was like puzzles a bit (though not nearly as bad), and a cob was ridden in a MB33 pelham which helped to relieve his tongue of presssure as he bacame strong when he tucked his head in to avoid the tongue pressure.
bear in mind who puzzles is - i need him to learn to relax and listen to me, trusting me more and my judgement over hisfears/spookiness (vcaused ultimately by boredom and pranking aroudi i expect).
what would you suggest?
x
ps - sorry about spelling, etc, asi can't see what i'm writing just nbow as i'm hiding my screen (well, this site) from my ICT teacher, heehee . . . )

[Cabbitt]

From what you say, it doesn't sounds like your problem has to do with bitting. Because your horse goes well some of the time and not well other times, it sounds as if you need to be more firm with him and drive his head up an onto the bit when he is slow and getting behind the vertical. Some horses are more prone to this than others, and it can be fixed with strong, consistent riding. You can certainly buy a new bit if you want, but I think you'll be disappointed when your horse continues on with the same habits. However, it sounds like you know what you're doing, so I'm sure if you ride mindfully you can correct the problem with correct riding-- unfortunately, "gadgets" are rarely the panacea people think they are.

[BeachRiding]

You know, Gitcha does the same things! I switch him back and forth from a bitless and a sweet iron loose ring snaffle.

[puzzles]

thanks, i just wanted to know what you think; i'm not one for 'agdgets' either, hence why i want the flash and martingale off!
sadly, as he is not mine, i can't arrange to have his teeth, tack and back all checked which could well help.
i would never consider putting him in a stronger or more uncomfortable bit, i would just like to try him in something he may find more comfortable and easier to work in.
you are probably right about the working him up to the bridle too, but most of the time he's awful; bolting a few times in each ride.
the RI is very demanding and string with him, and he usually ebhaves with ehr, but she really bashes him round sometimes when he gets 'uppy', which i don't agree with: i'm sure there must be a better way than forcing him into sbmission!
thanks again, the more the merrier!