Bitting to help relaxation in the neck & mouth

[GraceT]

My boy is currently ridden in a normal loose ring snaffle but we often get comments tense in the mouth, or tense in the neck on our dressage sheets.

He doesnt foam up in his mouth and I wondered whether changing the bit for something that will help him 'mouth up' will also help him relax. He is quite a nervous chappy (comes from his breeding apparantly trak x oldenburg) and he is on a calmer (Magic). We have been doing lots of lateral work and flexing tohelp him loosen up his neck but wondered if the bit isnt helping?

Any idea's? I thought maybe trying a Happy Mouth? I dont really need brakes on him as he is generally very stopable.

Thanks:)

[Yann]

In the short term you could try experimenting with a pelham or kimblewick with an elastic curb, not for brakes, but because the curb acts on a reflex point under the jaw and relaxes it. This knocks on through the rest of the body and some horses will learn to go more softly as a result.

It might also be the material the bit is made from, or that the shape isn't quite right comfort wise for him. One option from a french link would be a Sprenger KK Ultra, worked very well with both my horses but not cheap.

[Passage]

I would first eliminate any possible physical issues ie teeth, saddle fit etc. You say you've had him since Jan in another post and it could well be time to recheck these (assuming you did when you bought him).

Presuming all is ok then I think the problem is more one of general tenseness rather than just a mouth problem and i'm not sure just trying to change the bit will help. He sounds as if he is not properly working through a swinging back and softly accepting the contact. Really working on the basic scales of training ie the rhythm and relaxation/suppleness will help with lots of circles, basic lateral work (leg yeild, shoulder in etc) is beneficial. It sounds like your instructor has the right ideas and it just takes patience and time.

[Daffy Dilly]

Best thing to do would to be have an EDT look at his teeth, and give you an idea of the conformation of his mouth, as they are all different. Then you should be able to ring up a company like Sprenger or Neue Schule and trial what bit they thing would suit best.

[GraceT]

Thanks guys

I had his back & saddle checked in July, my six month check up from when I bought him. His teeth were done in January and the dentist said he woudlnt need to come back till next year.

I agree it is all about getting him to relax through the back (another comment on my tests!) but I think I am going to try a NS bit with a lozenge to just help him along the way, as well as all the lateral work etc. I have found a company who do a 30 day trial for £5 so I can try it and a Sprenger if i wnat as well-good idea I thought.
might try this one
http://www.shop4bits.com/item--The-Verbindend-Connection-Bit-DL-12mm-55mm-Rings--9010-55.html

Thanks for your replies!

[Siogfinsceal]

Hi, I would try a french link snaffle either egg butt or full cheek. I tried on at the weekend on the pony I am borrowing for dressage next week and the difference! Normally he is v v tense in his neck, overbends a little. The french link has a middle link that they can 'play' with encouraging them to salivate. It also prevents them from leaning as much. It can be used for dressage. Ive used them on a fair few horses and always found good results

Passage is right about the exercises. I had a lesson with niall quirke last week and he showed me some great exercises to encourage bend and relaxation. They included halting and asking for slight bend to left and right, turning on the forehand, 15m circles and so on so if theres a good RI who can help you with this it could be great.

[GraceT]

Hi, I would try a french link snaffle either egg butt or full cheek. I tried on at the weekend on the pony I am borrowing for dressage next week and the difference! Normally he is v v tense in his neck, overbends a little. The french link has a middle link that they can 'play' with encouraging them to salivate. It also prevents them from leaning as much. It can be used for dressage. Ive used them on a fair few horses and always found good results

Passage is right about the exercises. I had a lesson with niall quirke last week and he showed me some great exercises to encourage bend and relaxation. They included halting and asking for slight bend to left and right, turning on the forehand, 15m circles and so on so if theres a good RI who can help you with this it could be great.


Hi Thanks you for your reply. The NS bit is out of stock so I am going to try a french link (get a cheap one on ebay!).
I had a lesson last night and my instructor and I went through some of those excersies as well and when she rode him she got his neck lovley and soft. She says it is also experiance, she knows which buttons to push as she rides 10 horses a day etc, she said not to beat myself up I will get there!

[Fanshawe]

Just a thought but have a think about your arms and neck/head/back. Are your arms tense when you ride, do you have the softness in the elbows and forearms, are your hands soft and gentle? Is your head and neck sat correctly on your shoudlers with suppleness through your shoulder blades and neck as well as your lower back. Sometimes what we do with our bodies our horse mimicks. Might explain why your instructor finds it easier too as she will naturally be more relaxed about doing the work.

[SarahC]

In the short term you could try experimenting with a pelham or kimblewick with an elastic curb, not for brakes, but because the curb acts on a reflex point under the jaw and relaxes it. This knocks on through the rest of the body and some horses will learn to go more softly as a result.

This is exactly what I am doing at the moment, with the most fantastic results. My horse was extremely stiff through her jaw, poll and neck and in turn the rest of her body was tense...there was no bending and no impulsion at all. Two sessions in a mullen pelham have softened her no end. These session were on a very very loose contact, in double reins and i switched her back to the snaffle in between. But I have found that as the whole head/neck area has softened, the whole of the body has become more relaxed and we are now bending and have much better impulsion. In fact, you can tell the difference in her body as her whole leg action changes!

S

[teabiscuit]

i got a good result with a happy mouth hanging cheek french link, with similar probs
though i had to work on my stiffness too

[Roofio]

j never salivates - changed him into a loose ring french link sweet iron (mouthful for me but not for him!) and he definitely salivates a lot more in it - he occasionally dribbles!