Which horse bit !

Which horse bit!

The horse has a low roof / thick fleshy tongue leaving little or no room between the upper and lower jaws.

The outer edges of the tongue are the most sensitive part, so a fleshy tongue would experience more pressure with certain types of bit.

The single jointed snaffle has a nutcracker action, which I wouldn’t recommend for this type of mouth, as it may press up into the roof of the mouth and pinch.

A straight bar bit will put more pressure on the tongue and less on the bars.

If the straight bar is thick the horse will find it most uncomfortable due to the tongue pressure.

If the horse has a low roof as well as a fleshy tongue, he will experience discomfort from both tongue and roof of mouth, as there would not be enough space to fit a thick bit in comfortably.

Double jointed or French snaffles have been successfully used on some horses, as the smooth centre plate should lie comfortably on top of the tongue.

There are specialist’s bits available to accommodate a large tongue but I have to worn you, they come with a price!.

My horse sucks his tongue back or tries to put it over the bit!

Firstly, run through the procedures mentioned:

Equine dentist

Cuts, bruises or ulcers

Is the bit lying correctly in the mouth?

If the bit were too low in the horse’s mouth, it would cause excessive tongue pressure.

The horse could be sucking his tongue back to evade the discomfort of an unsuitable bit.

Mullen mouth snaffle, single or double jointed have been successful with some horses when placed high in the mouth.

Again what bit you used will depend upon themouth conformation.

Placing a bit slightly higher may also discourage the horse out of the habit.

A bit placed too low in the horse’s mouth can encourage him to put his tongue over the bit.

Hackamore

A hackamore is a bit less bridal.

The horse is controlled by applying pressure on the nose.

It is used on horses with damaged mouths that need to be rested for a while.

A certain type of horse that is fussy in the mouth will simply respond better in a bit less bridle.

It should only be used by an experienced rider with sympathetic hands, you also need to check if it legal to used in your discipline.

It is not permitted in dressage and not permitted for juniors riding ponies to compete in affiliated show jumping.

Which horse bit you choose will also be determined by whether it is a legal bit for competitions.

Many ponies that do not have ideal moth conformation are kept ticking over in a bit less bridle and only have a bit in to compete.

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Horse bit info

Horse bit information

equine bit problems

Mouth conformation

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