Looking for BIG bit for very soft-mouthed horse!

Okay so here’s the issue, my clyde cross was in a 6" bit, but it’s now too tight. Last year he went from a 5.5" to a 6" in spring and it seems he’s hit another growth spurt b/c this bit the rings definitely rub.

He’s in a loose ring happy mouth for flat and stadium, and a 2-ring elevator happy mouth for XC. He’s GREAT in both bits, very soft mouth. Problem is the rings are now rubbing and there’s definitely NO room for bit guards. The 6" is VERY tight right now, so it looks like I need a 7" (as the happy mouths are measured in milimeters, and his current bits are 155mm which is about 6.1" and VERY tight to the point that the rings are pinching, not just slightly rubbing).

Problem is I can’t find a happy mouth of ANY sort in a 7" or a 175mm (which is technically 6.9" just about and would also work). Any other ideas? If anyone can find the happy mouth, great but I don’t see them anywhere. He’s not a huge fan of three piece bits, so next step would be a simple snaffle, was thinking copper or copper-alloy as he really likes the current bit’s taste. Let me know - I’m totally open to ideas. And what is sweet iron like? I’ve never used it.

Okay and looking at bits, I don’t think plain rubber would work since it’s also likely to rub at the corners and irritate his mouth even if it’s a fixed ring bit.

Right now I’m looking at eggbutt and loose ring bits that are 7" with a decently thick (comfortable) mouth. He’s a great horse and very responsive, I just need a nice soft bit that will work w/o rubbing or pinching.....can do w/o the 2-ring elevator b/c I also have a noseband with elastic to the bit that will add a little pressure for XC (hard to explain - it's the CWD Bandala noseband). Right now the best I have found as even a remote possiblity that isn't insanely thin is this (a little thin but maybe the copper will help and the fact that its three-piece w/o a roller or the french link that he finds annoying?):



Even this looks pretty thin to me:


All input is appreciated!!!!

There are tons of 7-inch bits on this site:

Bits - Draft Horse Bit, Mule, Driving, Riding - Snaffle, Liverpool, Elbow, Military - Big Black Horse

:) Good luck!

Wow, your boy must be HUGE with a huge mouth. My guy is 17.3hh and almost 1400lbs and is at a 6.25"!

This should be where you find what you need:
Bits

Thanks guys! I got a 7" three piece with bean german silver bit YAY it comes in a few days I'll let you know how it works out.

He's tall and big, about 1800 pounds (guesstimate? I could be wrong). Stands between 17.2 and 17.3 and his current bit is 155mm/6.2" and is WAY too small!

Here's a pic - he's on the right, a 13.3h pony in the middle and his full sister who is about 16.1 or .2 on the left.

Wow what an impresive horse

He is gorgeous. <3

Wow! He IS big! I hope you'll enjoy your new bit. I have very mild one, but my horses are not nearly as big, so 5.5 is the biggest I use. :)

Thanks don't mind the muddy ring lol that was as over a foot of snow and ice had just melted. He's big but a total sweetheart. I hope the new bit I just ordered works! It comes tomorrow! He doesn't look big/drafty but I guess he grew!

Good luck! :o

Thanks!! We rode in it tonite and he was soooo good! I’m so happy I had great rides on two of my boys today! I rode both Duke and Lucky in their new bits and Lucky for the first time in almost 2 years. Duke was great, soft and responsive and while he’s not entirely used to the metal (as opposed to the happy mouth) I can keep such a light contact and he’s not leaning at all it’s awesome. He was incredibly good I was thrilled, and he seems thrilled too!

And then Lucky - I actually rode him first - he was great! Tons of trot work and then he also cantered in both directions!!!! (His choice, not mine, seeing as he hasn’t carried a rider in ages due to his back injuries.) He LOVED the new bit. He had been in a plain full cheek but I just got this bit for him (smaller version of Duke’s) and he’s so good in it, that once he got his head tossing discombobulated self together over the initial excitement at cantering, he even stretched down on the bit for the canter! We have tons of work to do still, which is totally to be expected but no signs of back pain and he was so happy to be ridden, I’m thrilled after a great day with both my boys!

For a comparison, they both have the same bits but it looks funny b/c Duke’s is a 7" and Lucky’s is a 5" but side by side it makes Lucky’s bit look like a pony bit! LOL!