Bit Guards (Western)

My horse is a bit chomper, he has been ridden in a medium port bit for years, I have not changed anything on the bridle. Today while on a parade route (and lots of time on his hands) He discovered how to get the shank into his mouth on four occasions. The thing is once he gets a hold of it, he won't let go and he is very well aware of WHO has control. I don't want to die!
Anyone have info on bit guards and which are appropriate for his type of bit? I don't know much about them, could this solve my problem? If I tighten his bridle he'll be smiling from ear to ear, so I do not think that's an option. Thanks!

I'm not sure that I fully understand your problem. :( If it is what I think it is, bit guards will not solve the problem because they are designed to protect against pinching your horses lips, not keep him from grabbing the shanks. You might want to try a different bit on him. Maybe switch him back to a simple snaffle bit for a while and see if that helps. What kind of headstall do you use on him. I always use a browband headstall with throatlatch on all mine.

This happened to me and my gelding. Bit guards will not help. As the other poster said, go back to a regular ol snaffle.... If he's grabbing the shank, that means the shank is starting to bother him now (teeth issues, riders hands, etc?)

Thanks for your advice. I was not sure of the purpose of the bit guards, I understand now. He is seen by a Equine Den(Clinton Anderson) parades are always long & drawn out but starting now in a snaffle sounds like a good idea, Thank you again![/img]

He's most likely just bored and looking for something to amuse him. Hoover will grab for the shanks on his hackamore, but they're too long for him to get a hold of. You might also looking to getting him a bit with tongue rollers or keys, so he has something to play with. You could also try rubbing the shanks with something he won't like...I hear cayenne pepper works well. He'll learn grabbing them equals something nasty, and stop.

Good idea, maybe bitter apple? I can never get Cayenne to stick to surfaces, I've attempted to use it to deter my bored dogs too!