13.2hh cob, 6 years old, currently in a 2-ring dutch gag happy mouth flexi mullen (had when bought him). Have been riding him with the reins on the large "snaffle ring" as I'm not a fan on the dutch gag in general particularly as he carried his head quite high anyway and he's not proven to be too strong, riding him in a running martingale simply as a safety precaution, cuz he does throw his head a bit (though mostly due to flies annoying him on hacks!).
I'd like to try him in a new bit since he mouths and chews the happy mouth and it's become rough and don't particularly want another dutch gag.
I don't want an eggbut joint would rather a mullen, french link or lozenge? Anyone tell me pros and cons of French link v Lozenge?
Unsure whether to go for a loose ring, eggbut or a hanging cheek. Considered a full cheek to aid with steering but he absolutely adores knocking things of fences etc with his head when being tacked up/untacked so I'd rather not have anything potentially sticking out! How much poll pressure does the hanging cheek give - the general consensus is it has more than an ordinary snaflle, but elsewhere I've read that the poll pressure is actually negligible, and the way the bit is held slightly higher in the mouth can be beneficial for some horse.
Since the happy mouth has proven chewable, should I go for stainless steel or a 'warmer' metal - copper/mix? Or just a stronger plastic, as his happy mouth is one of the more rubbery ones.
So I want something fairly mind, I'm considering a hanging cheek with a lozenge, but can't find one anywhere except Neue Schule. I'd rather pay <£30 since I don't even know if he will take to the bit.
Sorry for length of post, please reply with any thoughts/experience at all !
I'd like to try him in a new bit since he mouths and chews the happy mouth and it's become rough and don't particularly want another dutch gag.
I don't want an eggbut joint would rather a mullen, french link or lozenge? Anyone tell me pros and cons of French link v Lozenge?
Unsure whether to go for a loose ring, eggbut or a hanging cheek. Considered a full cheek to aid with steering but he absolutely adores knocking things of fences etc with his head when being tacked up/untacked so I'd rather not have anything potentially sticking out! How much poll pressure does the hanging cheek give - the general consensus is it has more than an ordinary snaflle, but elsewhere I've read that the poll pressure is actually negligible, and the way the bit is held slightly higher in the mouth can be beneficial for some horse.
Since the happy mouth has proven chewable, should I go for stainless steel or a 'warmer' metal - copper/mix? Or just a stronger plastic, as his happy mouth is one of the more rubbery ones.
So I want something fairly mind, I'm considering a hanging cheek with a lozenge, but can't find one anywhere except Neue Schule. I'd rather pay <£30 since I don't even know if he will take to the bit.
Sorry for length of post, please reply with any thoughts/experience at all !