How do you know????

[Kecka~Rocka]

How do you know which bit to use??






My horse has started to grab his bit and pull right. He also plays with the rubber bit rings on the side. I got him a happy mouth which he chewed to bits in only five times of riding him in it. He also has a habbit of throwing his head around like a flinch kind of move. He is in a snaffle. The dentist is due this week but he does have his teeth done regular and his head throwing comes and goes. but he always chomps his bit and plays with his rubber rings?:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:


Here is a pic of him in his bridle .



ANY IDEAS WELCOME:D :D



http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/kecka-rocker/Pic010.jpg

[Vez]

Hi, I would suggest a sweet iron bit if he chews on his bit alot. My sisters mare has one and she loves it. Also have you ever considered a hackamore bridle. My mare , Willow, rides in one and she absoulutly (sp??) loves it and reacts well in it. This probely isn't much help soz but hope you find a good bit! Vez xx

[puzzles]

well i know a fair bit about bits and that helpd me to choose an ideal for each horse.
for example, the Myler 33 allows more tongue room than most conventional bits, so it useful for those who try to avoid trhe contact or regularly go behind the bit, have large, fleshy torngues and/or small mouths, or who have sensitive mouths.
i love the Myler range - there is honestly one for every horse type, training level and problem. they come on a 10-14 - day trial and can be returned untarnished if found to be unsuitable.
they are sweet rion, encouraging horses to salivate and therefore accept the bit. They also allow more tongue room and are aimed at improving the horse's comfort and therefore responsiveness and cooperation with the rider as well as improving steering and accuracy, within minutes of bit change.
And boy to they work and are worth every penny!


Your horse is showing signs of discomfort - unwillingness to accept the contact when you want him to? a dry mouth? do you find difficulty in getting him in an outline, etc?
Because he thows his head up and tries to resist the contact in any way he can, i would recommend that you try

Check out the myelr website at - www.http://www.themylerbitbank.co.uk/#selecting
- for more information.

Judging this, for your horse would level 2 be appropriate?

I suggest that you try the Low Port Comfort Snaffle, with either a simple eggbutt cheekpiece or, if you need better steering, a D-ring (preferably with a bit guard, or in Full Cheek style.

you could also the Short Shank bit type, which only works on the mouth after pressure has been applied through the nose/poll/jaw when you pick up varying strengths of contact. this woprks well for horse's who have sensative mouths and who refuse to accept a contact and/or mouth pressure and can work really well.

also have his poll checked by your vet, as well as his back and tack to minimise pain being a cause of his behaviour.
and remember that bits don't 'make' horses, they are just useful as training tools.
good luck!
:-)

[puzzles]

This may help you (from the website):

3. Anticipate some resistance. If your horse has been resistant in his current bit, there is a strong likelihood he will be resistant in his new bit. Simply put - he is going to try what he knows. Here are some suggestions on how to deal with particular forms of resistance.

Chomping and chewing: This may take some patience on your part and some trust on your horse’s part. Horses generally chomp and chew as a resistance to too much tongue pressure. With your new bit, you should not have as much tongue pressure, but it may take your horse some time to realize this. He will need to “trust” his new bit from restricting his tongue as his previous bit did. So, give your horse time to learn to relax, this may take days. Next, release your horse when he is in position. If you are constantly applying pressure on his mouth, he may not have opportunity to relax.

Inverting: Inversion is fairly common. The main thing your horse is doing is controlling the application of the bit’s action by staying up out of the “pressure zone.” Your new bit should give the pressure you need to ask him to relax at the poll to his “comfort zone” and give him the pressure relief he's looking for. Many horses will try to invert with the new bit; you will need to ask the horse to go forward and apply consistent pressure until they relax at the poll. Once the horse relaxes at the poll, release rein pressure. Always ask the horse to go forward. Some horses may resist by stopping, flipping their head, grabbing the bit, etc., but always ask the horse to go forward. If the horse needs some encouragement to relax at the poll, here's an option to try.

First, simulate the bit’s action while on the ground as discussed in #2. Next, while mounted, warm your horse up on a loose rein. After 10 minutes or so, ask your horse to relax at the poll with some rein pressure. Try circling and using inside rein pressure, pulled toward your outside hip, and subtly “bump” the inside rein. Once the horse relaxes at the poll, release rein pressure. If still resistant and not improving, try the following: set the horse’s head where you would like it. Gather up your reins, keep contact on the horse’s mouth and double the reins over from one hand to the other, like a jockey. Let out 1 1/2’ to 2’ of rein so that the horse has a “comfort zone” to go to, fix your hand position, keep a steady feel of the reins and “lock” your elbows. As you ask your horse to go forward, let the horse pull into your hands and then release himself by relaxing at the poll. It may feel like your horse is getting a bit worse before getting better, but as long as he learns to release himself, you are headed in the right direction. Keep these sessions brief and always reward when the horse is responding the way you want. Leverage and curb pressure can be very helpful for horses that invert by effectively rolling the mouthpiece downward. Be sure your curb strap or chain is adjusted properly with room for only two fingers. Too loose and the cheek rotates too far around before engaging the curb chain. The curb chain hits too late and too hard, possibly upsetting your horse and not giving you the control you are looking for. Too tight and the horse is not rewarded with a comfort zone and is uncomfortable and distracted. When adjusted correctly, the curb chain engages with slight rotation of the cheek, adding more downward pressure to the mouthpiece, offering more control and encouragement for the horse to relax at the poll and stay balanced. Because an inverted horse is not used to working while relaxed at the poll, he will tire quickly and easily. Keep sessions short and always finish on a good note where the horse releases himself.

[puzzles]

• Behind the bit
• Inversion/above the bit
• Not stopping/running through the bit
• Dropping a shoulder
• Overactive mouth


With resistance, go softer, offering your horse a bit with less points of pressure. Here’s a few suggestions for resistance:

• for behind the bit, try a bit with less tongue pressure and possibly Independent Side Movement.™
• for inversion, try a bit with tongue pressure and tongue relief.
• for not stopping, consider a shank or combination bit with leverage pressure and mouthpieces
offering some tongue,bar and palate pressure.
• for dropping a shoulder, select a bit which offers Independent Side Movement.™
• for the overactive mouth, look for a bit which offers less points of pressure, especially tongue pressure.

:-)

[Kecka~Rocka]

Gosh it really is confusing eek!!! it sounds like trial and error. I no nothing about which bit they should have or need, i just go with what they have when i buy them, which seems to be ok 99.9% of the time, but my boy is not completely happy and he seems to be asking nicely at the minute or he is just being a pain and making a new game out of his mouth(which could also be a possibility too!!)

Is there no proffesional i can get out to fit a bit properly like a saddlerly for their saddle, who can say which bit is required for him, or does this person not exist??

[puzzles]

You can contact Myler or visit your local Saddler for more advice/fitting.
good luck hun
x