A bit problem - Bruised mouth

[Saz]

My 6yr old mare seems to be bruising the inside of her cheaks/gums. I have tried snaffle, happy mouth, dutch gag, english gag, dr bristol, french link fulmer. All of which leave the same results. The horse can be light in the mouth at times and at others can be very strong and take hold of the bit. I suspect that when she takes hold she is bruising her mouth. Has anybody had this problem and found a suitable solution? I do not want to ride in a hackimoor if at all possible.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Sarah

[Allie]

I was just wondering why you did not want to ride in a hackamore? That is what I use on one of my horses, and it works wonderfully. I hope you solve your problem.

Allie

[Myrmex]

Have her teeth been checked recently? No wolf teeth or anything causing problems? Do you know why she sometimes takes hold so strongly, ie. does it always happen under the same circumstances, like being asked to do something difficult/scary?
Some of the bits you've been trying are likely to be quite harsh for a youngster. Have you tried using something like a sweet iron or copper snaffle? (but beware of cheap sweet iron snaffles - they're often very badly made and put uneven pressure on the mouth). Have you tried a pelham with two reins? Good for getting the horse to relax its jaw.
Don't write off the hackamore completely - if your mare has developed a dislike of bits, working her in a hackamore for a while might help her relax (but make sure it's a mild hackamore). You can then reintroduce a mild bit, eg. a French link, slowly. Long reining is also a good way of getting the horse to relax and work nicely in a bit.

[kas]

Sarah

I have a horse with a very sensitive mouth, having very pink skin, which was getting a bruised and sore after hacking out. The problem was caused by having to stop very sharply whilst cantering around the woods (caused by people, cyclists and dogs being on the bridleways instead of the designated footpaths).
As I tend to only hack out a couple of times a week and school the rest, I find it better for my horse to use the hackamore whilst hacking and a plain snaffle when schooling in the menage. My horse is now happier and I don't have to worry about hurting his sensitive mouth, it also teaches you to use seat and weight aids more effectively.
Don't discount the hackamore, although it is said to be a severe piece of equipment, in the right circumstances and right hands can be a godsend.

[Hev]

Hi there
I too, had a similar problem with one of my mares. She could be very strong to hold when we first got her, and we made the common mistake of trying to put her in a stronger bit. As the bit became stronger, the horses' manners got worse, until it started to feel as though you were sitting on a time bomb. She also became quite headshy.
We then went entirely the opposite way, putting her in a straight bar, soft rubber, loose ringed bit. The horse immediately relaxed, and has not played up since. The only problem here was, as she is a showjumper, the bit would pull through her mouth as she went round. So, now she is on a flexible straight bar happy mouth with fulmer cheeks - and neither of us could be happier.
I rcently tried her in a snaffle again, just to see, and she immediately played up. This horse will never be able to be ridden in any bit with a nutcracker action.
Hope this is of help.
Hev