The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

I switched bits...

1K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  EvilHorseOfDoom 
#1 ·
I'm a big fan of French-link snaffles. Brock was ridden in one before I got him, I got him one when I bought him and we continued on from there. (I also had a Dr Bristol for his "difficult" days when he'd be reefing the reins from my hands - normally I wouldn't switch to a harsher bit to fix something but the reefing was often followed by him putting his head between his knees and attempting to launch me into orbit.) However, I'd noticed that with both he was very fussy with his mouth, chewing and wiggling his jaw and putting his head from side to side - just not very happy. Sometimes as much as you like a bit, your horse has a different opinion...

So, last week I went to the saddlery and among other things I bought a mullen mouth. Pretty big change in action obviously and it was a bit of a gamble but I was operating on instinct. Tried it out on Saturday and it was great! He was much less fussy and he also seemed lighter and more responsive (which I hadn't expected given the relatively crude nature of communication with a mullen mouth). All in all I was super pleased with the result! :)

Note: he has also gone well in a low port Western curb before (not direct reining obviously) so my other thought had been a low port snaffle (as I need to direct rein for English riding). But they didn't have any at the store (actually, there weren't any simple ported bits there!). Might get a chance to try him in one one day, but as he's about to be leased out there's no point in me getting one just yet.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
If you end up on the hunt again a Myler may be a good choice for you. Not much for him to fiddle with and good communication. Congrats though on finding something that works.
 
#3 ·
Yes! I was thinking of getting one but they didn't have any 5 inch Level 1 Mylers in stock (bah!) and anyway, the price tag was a little scary given I didn't know if it would work. But that may definitely be his next bit - the lady I'm leasing him to rides Western and is keen to do some Western training with him. She's very experienced and I'm happy with that - I've already been doing a fair bit of work on his seat/weight cue responses for his dressage work, and I'm not a strict adherent to one discipline in any case as I don't compete. I'm more interested in improving the horse's use of his body and general way of going and having him as a willing partner in whatever we're doing - dressage has just been one way of us getting there and Western could well be another! :)
 
#4 ·
That's great! Lacey is also one that much prefers a mullen mouth to any sort of jointed bit (she does have gray horse melanomas taking up a lot of room in her mouth though...). I remember the day I discovered that in a mullen mouth, all her bit "issues" magically went away - what a wonderful feeling! I'm so happy for you!

In my+L's case, I found a "Saddleseat Pelham" that she's ended up adoring. She even salivates in this bit which she's NEVER done in any other bit. It did have scary long shanks to begin with and since I was only using it as a snaffle, I had my farrier cut the shanks off for me.
It's probably not dressage legal or anything but it's sure cheaper than a Myler! haha

For funnsies, before and after picture:

 
#8 ·
Just as an FYI if you end up looking for a Myler, ActionRiderTack.com has a rental program for myler bits.
Posted via Mobile Device
Sadly not in Australia - there's one a few hundred miles up the coast from me but even then postage would be creeping up to the cost of a new bit anyway! Might keep an eye out for a secondhand one - don't seem to be too many though so I assume people are generally pretty pleased with them!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top