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Post by steandc13 on Jun 3, 2014 19:36:57 GMT
I've recently got a new mare who keeps putting her tongue over the bit. She's a young mare and as she puts it back over and then under again, I put it down to the fact that she has done very little with a bit in and is doing it through boredom. I don't find her overly strong when it happens, just rather heavy in the hand and I don't want the problem to develop further. I'm looking into a myler bit and the tongue bit itself is also another option (bit with the tongue guard as the centre/link). I was just wondering if anyone else has used these bits or knows of someone that has used them. Would just like to know if they are any good and worth spending my money? Thanks
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Post by gillwales on Jun 3, 2014 20:33:15 GMT
I will assume that the bridle is fitted correctly, Try a french link snaffle and use a grackle noseband to prevent her opening her mouth or crossing her jaw. Keep this on until settled or at least 6 weeks
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Post by steandc13 on Jun 3, 2014 21:20:37 GMT
She is currently in the french link snaffle now. I'm not planning on changing anything until she is 100% settled however I just wanted to look into things so that I know I am making the right choice. The grackle was also another option but what put me off them was that would she not still be able to move her tongue even though her mouth is closed? She doesn't do it all the time, I think she's just playing with it. Thanks x
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Post by apollo1 on Jun 3, 2014 22:46:49 GMT
Hi my daughters pony gets his tongue over the bit but only when I have cleaned his bridle and put the bit on a hole looser! I put it back up a hole and he doesn't do it! Maybe the bit might be too low?? Only a thought
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Post by gillwales on Jun 4, 2014 0:13:57 GMT
no she should not be able to put her tongue over the bit with her mouth closed, the whole idea is to break the habit.
I did put that I assumed yje bridle was correctly fitted, when you stand infront of the horse and pull the bit down from both sides there should be no wrinkles, when you let go each side should be slightly wrinkled
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Post by lulah on Jun 4, 2014 10:46:48 GMT
Havent had much experience with horses sticking toungues out but i do know the bombers happy tongue bit is supposed to stop them doing it. Its not cheap but may be worth considering and you can get them on a trial.
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Post by steandc13 on Jun 4, 2014 17:13:00 GMT
That's great thanks, I will try and put her bit up a few holes and see if that helps before I change anything. If not, I'll try the flash before changing bit. I quite like the idea of a myler and will definitely look into the bombers bit. Thanks x
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Post by horseylady on Jun 4, 2014 23:14:12 GMT
I would suggest she isn't happy with that particular bit in her mouth. Please dont go clamping her mouth shut with a grackle or flash, she is trying to tell you something, listen to her. Like you said have a play with lots of bits until she is happy in one. Asses her mouth conformation to, she may have a thick tongue, narrow jaw, low palette etc ... Dont use a loose ring as this will encourage to much play, try a fixed ring, so the bit stays still and steady in her mouth. Just keep playing until you find one, maybe loan of friends. good luck xxx
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Post by steandc13 on Jun 5, 2014 21:00:46 GMT
That's great advice thanks, I just want her to be comfortable more than anything but obviously I don't want the problem to develop further as it will be harder to overcome. She has recently had the dentist so her teeth/mouth ect are fine. I may try a finer bit also just in case she does have a larger tongue . I just want to nip the problem in the bud before it further develops. Thanks for all the help x
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Post by clifton on Jun 5, 2014 21:54:09 GMT
I have the same problem, I have bought and tried many bits, nothing has stopped it for us so far, we live in hope. The best bit I have found at the moment is a cheap simple magic bit
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Post by horseylady on Jun 6, 2014 23:14:54 GMT
Have a play with bits that are ported. If you could get your dentist out again, so he could talk you through her mouth conformation, that will help you lots. Then you will have a better understanding of which bit to go for. Well done for not clamping her mouth shut, as this will only lead her to try another way of showing you she isn't happy i.e napping, not going forward etc xx
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Post by barbiegirl on Jun 7, 2014 14:23:53 GMT
When I was first breaking my pony in, I used a loose ring french link but she did the same as your pony and kept flicking her tongue over and back under. I changed the bit to a french link but with a thicker mouthpiece and fixed fulmer cheeks and she stopped flicking her tongue around. My pony has been in this bit for 6 months and now that she is ready to progress her education further I have changed her back to the original loose ring french link and she went really well in it today. I would definitely agree with trying a fixed cheek bit as it worked for my pony.
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Post by steandc13 on Jun 7, 2014 20:42:07 GMT
Thanks everyone for the advice. She is still settling and I have not yet rode her at home so I'm just going to stick to what she is used to for the time being and then I will go through each of your idea's to see if I can find the best solution for her. Thanks
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