What Bit

[frankyboy]

looking for suggestions of a snaffle bit to suit pony with a large tongue and finds it difficult to accept bit comfortably .

[sjw87]

Waterford or bombers bits happy tongue range

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[gillwales]

try a loose ring french link. It is also very important with this sort of problem that you make certain his teeth are regularly checked

[waspblue]

My Highland pony likes both the Neue Schule Verbindend and latterly the Bombers bit Happy Tongue loose ring snaffle. He used to shake his head about and after checking that everything out health, saddle and teeth wise was fine, we have settled on the Bombers bit which has totally stopped him shaking his head and also putting his tongue over the bit, he is now very happy, settled and much more forward than he's ever been. Worth speaking to the lovely people at the Horse Bit Shop, who will hire bits for a very small fee for 30 days, which if you decide to keep the bit is deducted off the normal full price or if not suitable then it can be returned and has only cost the hire cost. The Bombers bit cost me just £12 to hire inc postage and it was well worth doing, plus they are very helpful and knowledgeable too.

[sarahp]

Waterfords can be very successful, but can also be very severe in the wrong hands so need to be used with care.

[frankyboy]

Thanks, yes teeth are done regularly .I will contact horse bit shop too ,

[mady]

Ours didn't like the bombers so we bought a verbindend it's brill

[frankyboy]

Well the bit problem still continues although we are winning in novice classes .The judges comments are pony leaning too much and pony is too mouthy ?

any suggestions please

[gillwales]

Ok, so whatever you do, do not use draw reins or side reins, do not give the pony anything to lean against. Go back to schooling in walk; be patient, lots of transitions, half halts. The rider must have light hands and on a minimal contact. Obviously if the pony is being ridden by a child make certain it is being ridden in an enclosed area. When you are confident encourage the rider to "give" a rein, encourage the pony to carry himself, he does need to be comfortable in his mouth and confident in his mouth. try wrapping some sticking plaster around the bit, do not make it too bulky but you do need to ensure the bit is not bruising his mouth. Once you can get the pony comfortable in his mouth he should stop being mouthy.

[frankyboy]

Thanks GILLWALES ,

think having a large tongue is the biggest issue ,he cant find comfort because of his tongue .

[titch]

It's very hard when they have a large tongue. I used to ride a stallion whose tongue was so large and fat that it stuck out so any pressure when riding his tongue would pop out to the side to relive pressure. The best way to stop it is to find a bit that is comfortable and use minimum rein contact when schooling. A high level schooling means aids can be at a low level so hardly no pressure is needed. Unfortunately when he got a little tense at the royal international I had to have more of a hold and his tongue popped out in his show costing me a place. We were pulled 8th and lost our place although he went fab the judge saw his tongue. People told me to tie his tongue with fishing wire to keep it down. I never did and never would do anything like that for a ribbon.

[frankyboy]

This is exactly what is happening to me although only in novice classes but at county level .Don't know what to try now as feel every bit is upsetting his mouth more and more

[mady]

Have you tried a twisted snaffle? My boy leans on a double bit but this bit resolved it. Was recommended by a producer and it works

[gillwales]

No offence mady but I do not think a twisted snaffle would work in this case, plus a more severe bit with leaning is not the answer, schooling is. Frankyboy, I have given this matter further thought and if this was my pony, if the French link bit was not comfy for the pony I would go for a half moon rather than a jointed bit, if you have a Pelham try this first with the hooks taped up; no curb chain and only on the top ring, that will save you the expense of a purchase, if this improves things then try a happy mouth, I recall having a straight bar which was fairly narrow and undulating, I used this on my yearling colts when bitting as it was the softest and kindest bit I could find.

[mady]

I agree gillwales in the wrong hands could be tragic.

Bits are trial and error. I recently backed a pony who is happy in a simple snaffle but depends on the pony especially if they've been started off wrong.

I had a large riding horse with a seriously fat tongue and eventually through the bit bank found she loved the NS team up.

It usually is a schooling thing but maybe worth giving them a ring

[ellr1xx]

14hh show hunter pony, is strong but not whilst schooling well. He is quite sharp, currently in a snaffle but need something a bit stronger but don't really want a gag in him. Also don't want anything to harsh to his mouth and something that moves that he can play with. Any suggestions?

[gillwales]

Aug 9, 2017 19:02:14 GMT ellr1xx said:

14hh show hunter pony, is strong but not whilst schooling well. He is quite sharp, currently in a snaffle but need something a bit stronger but don't really want a gag in him. Also don't want anything to harsh to his mouth and something that moves that he can play with. Any suggestions?

Honestly if you have a pony who is strong in the mouth, putting a stronger bit in will give him something to fight. Try a French link has it stops any grabbing of the bit and has extra steering. I have never found a horse or pony that did not go well in one. If you do need a stronger version of this go for a Dr Bristol, make certain it is fitted the correct way or it is very unkind. Gags are dreadful bits due to the shortening of the check pieces. When I judged I would always deduct at least 2 points for a gag, and if the pony reacted against it, which they often would, then I would make that a deduction of 5 marks. I doubt I was the only judge on the circuit who marked down for severe bits.