Opening mouth issues.....Help!

[cg]

My horse opens his mouth occasionally in his double bridle. Not all the time just some times, and he doesnt evade the contact he just opens his mouth for a few strides then closes, there is no ridden issue or submissive issue but it just looks hideous in the show ring! Teeth, back ect all check no pain issue he just is a mouth opening, he has quite a fleshy tongue.

Any tips to stop him, or descrease the amount he does it?? Any bits or particular nosebands?

Thanks

[flo1]

As you mention that he has a fleshy tongue, it's more than likely that there just isn't enough room in his mouth for two bits to sit comfortably. Perhaps a neat show pelham would be better for him.
If you really need to use a double then try to find bits with narrower mouthpieces.
I certainly wouldn't advocate the use of any type of noseband to stop him opening his mouth.

[clipclop1]

My section c opens her mouth and crosses her jaw so would be interesting to see what people suggest I have tried lots of bits with her and she seems to not do it when I first put her in a different bit then when she gets used to it she starts again !!

[LinsopStud]

Neue Schule Warmblood Pelham fixed this for both mine with this problem - little TBs with small mouths but big fleshy tongues.

[cg]

Just an update...I was recommended to try a hartwell pelham. I tried with a fylde restraining noseband and he hated it, popped him back into his double for second class and he went much better he felt relieved! Still slightly mouth opening in it but better than a hartwell pelham, which i also found he leaned on a bit...so back to the drawing board. I ride him everyday in a french link snaffle but my bradon of double is a jointed and quite thick.....would it be worth trying a thinner french link bradoon?

[sarahp]

Yes, definitely!

[barbiegirl]

My C mare hated a double bit, so I ended up trying a single jointed pelham but found her very strong on that so went to mullen mouth pelham and she was very happy in that. It might just be that a double is too much in his mouth.

[diadem]

French link rugby Pelham x

[cg]

I ride him side saddle the only issue I have with a Pelham is he leans on it? Would a rugby stop it? He is quite hobby anyway I think it will be something I will never stop completely but would love to minimise

[sarahp]

Putting a joint in a pelham completely negates its action, it's really only for show, acting like a snaffle but looking like a two reined bit, hence barbiegirls' experience.

If he leans on a straight bit he may well lean on any proper pelham. A rugby is the nearest in its action to a double because of the way the reins are attached.

Why not collect (beg, borrow or steal) a variety of bits of all sorts and go and have a session of riding in them all to see what works best? If me I think I'd try a double jointed bridoon first! I rode my first D in a rugby pelham, she was great in, with proper slip head too which can be overlooked by some.

[diadem]

Yes don't forget the slip I agree with Sarah, try him out with a selection x

[cg]

Thank you so much for all your help you have all been fab! He isn't a strong horse at all and he loves his loose ring snaffle, however he is ridden at home in a flash. Today we tried a french link bradoon with his usual weymouth and he felt brilliant. Even softer than previous double, still very slightly mouth opening but much better, if i dropped the weymouth rein he preferred this and rode from bradoon. And just altered the movement in his mouth he seemed to like. I think I am going to stick with this. He is quite a mouthy horse anyway so I know i will never completely stop it just reduce it! I am at hickstead on Sunday so fingers crossed it works ! Thanks guys

[tct2912]

I had the same problem opened his mouth just to show off his teeth I think!! but bought a really small thin bradoon like they use on the arab horses and he is much better

[ceoshurman]

Same problem for me too now using a myler comfort snaffle mouth piece Mb 04 on pelham for showing
can't recommend enough