BITTING HELP - is there a method?

[fluffy_betty]

I'm at a loss with what bit to try next on my TB mare. This has the potential to be a very long post so I'm going to try and keep it simple.....

I need 2 bits, one for schooling and a stronger one for hacking/jumping.

I need effective brakes when jumping and hacking.

I need reasonable steering too as she can occasionally nap and spin round.


I have tried:-

1. mullen mouth pelham. had no steeering and she would put her head between her knees and pull.

2. single joint dutch gag on bottom hole. effective brakes to the point where she wouldn't go forward properly. couldn't touch her mouth in it. headbutted me in the face a few times.

3. as above on snaffle ring. could take a contact but she still fights it and her head comes right back towards my face.

4. french link loose ring snaffle. slight improvement but still opens her mouth and resists contact. not strong enough for hacking.


Also I noticed the other day she tends to pull the bit into one side of her mouth so theres a lot sticking out the other side if that makes sense? is that crossing her jaw?

Any suggestions for where to go next much appreciated. She had her teeth rasped 2 weeks ago - the vet said they were really bad, but we have yet to see any improvement since. Each bit has been tried for a minimum of 8 weeks.


:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

[carthorse]

Tricky one, my initial reaction is that no bit will totally solve your problems & you need to work on schooling & obedience, with more reliance on leg, seat & voice aids. Having said that I'm well aware that some horses can be incredibly responsive & obedient in the school & totally different when out of it!

So here are a few ideas.
- have you tried a nathe or happy mouth (slightly stronger than nathe) 3 ring, possibly with 2 reins? The milder mouthpiece may make it more acceptable to her, 2 reins would allow you to only use the stronger action if you really needed it
- a hanging snaffle or fulmer with correctly fitted fulmer loops. Both will give a small amount of poll pressure & keep the bit table in her mouth, the fulmer will also help with steering
- a myler combination bit may help because it wouldn't act just on her mouth. They're expensive but you can trial them or keep an eye on e-bay
- a flash, drop or grackle would stop her opening her mouth & evading whatever bit you're using
- possibly a market harborough would be useful in the short term to stop her flinging her head up & re-educate her
- could you get an instructor to hack out with you & give you an opinion? It could be a few minor changes will alter things a great deal

I don't know if any of those ideas are new or useful to you. I hope something is :)

[Sexy Sietske]

How long was her teeth in a bad way? She might have made habit of it and now is doing purely because she knows she can.

I would have a recommended EDT out to double check the mouth/teeth as vets aren't always that good (my boys tooth fell out today after being loose for a while (farrier made comment on the old food by the root when i showed him) and the vet said his teeth was fine a couple of weeks ago :rolleyes:) after all, a vet can't specialise in everything!

Maybe try her bitless for a few weeks, hackamores can be really effective or other bitless if she isnt keen on poll pressure, then reintroduce her to a simple snaffle, with full cheeks if your having a job steering, loose ring if she is likely to lean and school her in this while still hacking bitless. Rubber, sweet iron and copper inlays can encourage the horse to accept the bit more as it is less 'cold'

I dont like the use of flash bands, if the horse is opening its mouth to evade pressure then there must be a reason for it so clamping it shut isnt going to help the cause of the problem.