Best type of bit for sensitive horse

kesty6 · 03-18-2009, 01:09 PM

Hi everyone,

I have a 5 yr old paint mare who I broke to saddle myself. I started her in a beetle hackamore and she did great in it. Eventually I would like to show her so I switched to a French Link snaffle about two years ago. She didn't like the french link at all- was really uncomfortable with it. I then tried a straight bar rubber snaffle bit- which she disliked even worse. ( I think the bit was too wide for her since she has such a small mouth and it was a really thick bit). I then switched to a jointed kimberwick which she has liked ok, but she still is more mouthy then I would like. She is just a really sensitive horse. The only time she is comfortable is if I just throw the reins away- she gets uncomfortable even with a light light contact on the bit.

So what is the best type of bit for a sensitive horse?

She has been checked by the vet so it isn't a physical problem either. And the bits fit her fine except for the rubber snaffle.

beezwing · 03-18-2009, 01:38 PM

Have you tried getting her used to contact in side reins? I think we may have similar horses

I have Ladybird in a loose ring bradoon snaffle, she also did not like the french link or anything thick...but I have found that with a flash she is calmer about it as the bit can't move as much. I have had her teeth floated and a bit seat done, but I really think it is the work in the side reins that has helped the most.

k

EquineAlberta · 03-19-2009, 12:01 AM

The Myler Comfort Mouth snaffle is the one I have found to work the best for horses that don't have a lot of room in their mouths, or that just don't like having something in their mouth. For horses with more room, I like a double jointed Happy mouth snaffle.

I think it is important to check her teeth though, and perhaps check for blind wolf teeth if you aren't 100% sure she had hers removed. (x-rays will be needed). X-rays would also show if there is any bony growths or damages that would make the bit uncomfortable to carry.

Some horses also prefer a hanging snaffle.

I agree with Beezwing with work in side reins and perhaps a flash may help her learn to carry a bit, but remember the flash should be there to support her jaw, and not to hold her mouth shut. SOme horses find holding their mouth shut against the pressure of the bit uncomfortable/difficult.

Karen

Carri · 03-19-2009, 07:06 AM

We have a very sensitive horse, also, who does not like any contact at all. I have her in a Stubben easy-control bit, it is double jointed, but when contact is placed on the bit it locks into position so that it feels like a solid bit. It is the only kind of mouthpiece she likes. You might just have to experiment until you find the right bit for her.

We have also been using side reins on her to help her get used to contact, and to build up her back muscles.

Slim Pikkens · 03-19-2009, 08:37 AM

Try a loose ring snaffle with an iron mouth. They are inexpensive and many horses prefer them. I'd put it on her (no reins) and leave her in her stall or paddock while she learns to eat with it and gets used to it for 4 or 5 hours. You may want to do this again the following day. The barrels on the loose ring are of a thickness most horses prefer as some have rather shallow pallets and can't accomodate a thicker mouthpiece. Also some will let a thicker, heavier mouthpiece rest on their bars making them sore. And many horses like the taste of the iron rather than stainless. The jointed Kimberwick is stainless and is heavier than the aforementioned loose ring.

mistypony10 · 03-21-2009, 07:38 PM

The loose ring snaffle is a very mild bit. I start my horses in a full cheek snaffle which is also a mild bit. It is said that the thicker the bit the more mild it will be, the thinner it is the harsher it is. However if your horse has a smaller mouth then a mid-size diameter will be best for her.

PeggySue · 03-21-2009, 07:47 PM

does she have a swallow pallat?? anything "weird" going on in there?? When did you last have her teeth checked by an equine denist??

kesty6 · 03-22-2009, 11:55 PM

Her teeth were just looked at in Jan when I had the vet come out last. It does not appear to be a pain issue. She also has been worked in side reins and it didn't help.

She just has very room in her mouth for a bit. When you look in her mouth- her tongue takes up all the space leaving very little room for a bit. The bits seem to press up against her top pallet...

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to go look at bits tomorrow...

PeggySue · 03-23-2009, 07:22 AM

if she doesn't have alot of room look for a "mullen" mouth with is fairly small diameter...

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03-18-2009, 01:09 PM
kesty6 Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 198	Best type of bit for sensitive horse Hi everyone, I have a 5 yr old paint mare who I broke to saddle myself. I started her in a beetle hackamore and she did great in it. Eventually I would like to show her so I switched to a French Link snaffle about two years ago. She didn't like the french link at all- was really uncomfortable with it. I then tried a straight bar rubber snaffle bit- which she disliked even worse. ( I think the bit was too wide for her since she has such a small mouth and it was a really thick bit). I then switched to a jointed kimberwick which she has liked ok, but she still is more mouthy then I would like. She is just a really sensitive horse. The only time she is comfortable is if I just throw the reins away- she gets uncomfortable even with a light light contact on the bit. So what is the best type of bit for a sensitive horse? She has been checked by the vet so it isn't a physical problem either. And the bits fit her fine except for the rubber snaffle.

03-18-2009, 01:38 PM
beezwing Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: louisiana Posts: 2,380	Have you tried getting her used to contact in side reins? I think we may have similar horses I have Ladybird in a loose ring bradoon snaffle, she also did not like the french link or anything thick...but I have found that with a flash she is calmer about it as the bit can't move as much. I have had her teeth floated and a bit seat done, but I really think it is the work in the side reins that has helped the most. k __________________ “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” St Francis

03-19-2009, 12:01 AM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,997	The Myler Comfort Mouth snaffle is the one I have found to work the best for horses that don't have a lot of room in their mouths, or that just don't like having something in their mouth. For horses with more room, I like a double jointed Happy mouth snaffle. I think it is important to check her teeth though, and perhaps check for blind wolf teeth if you aren't 100% sure she had hers removed. (x-rays will be needed). X-rays would also show if there is any bony growths or damages that would make the bit uncomfortable to carry. Some horses also prefer a hanging snaffle. I agree with Beezwing with work in side reins and perhaps a flash may help her learn to carry a bit, but remember the flash should be there to support her jaw, and not to hold her mouth shut. SOme horses find holding their mouth shut against the pressure of the bit uncomfortable/difficult. Karen __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

03-19-2009, 07:06 AM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,643	We have a very sensitive horse, also, who does not like any contact at all. I have her in a Stubben easy-control bit, it is double jointed, but when contact is placed on the bit it locks into position so that it feels like a solid bit. It is the only kind of mouthpiece she likes. You might just have to experiment until you find the right bit for her. We have also been using side reins on her to help her get used to contact, and to build up her back muscles.

03-19-2009, 08:37 AM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,046	Try a loose ring snaffle with an iron mouth. They are inexpensive and many horses prefer them. I'd put it on her (no reins) and leave her in her stall or paddock while she learns to eat with it and gets used to it for 4 or 5 hours. You may want to do this again the following day. The barrels on the loose ring are of a thickness most horses prefer as some have rather shallow pallets and can't accomodate a thicker mouthpiece. Also some will let a thicker, heavier mouthpiece rest on their bars making them sore. And many horses like the taste of the iron rather than stainless. The jointed Kimberwick is stainless and is heavier than the aforementioned loose ring.

03-21-2009, 07:38 PM
mistypony10 Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Withee, Wi Posts: 51	The loose ring snaffle is a very mild bit. I start my horses in a full cheek snaffle which is also a mild bit. It is said that the thicker the bit the more mild it will be, the thinner it is the harsher it is. However if your horse has a smaller mouth then a mid-size diameter will be best for her.

03-21-2009, 07:47 PM
PeggySue Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 991	does she have a swallow pallat?? anything "weird" going on in there?? When did you last have her teeth checked by an equine denist?? __________________ I have been called the "NSC Nazi" because I have a problem with grain based feeds

03-22-2009, 11:55 PM
kesty6 Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 198	Her teeth were just looked at in Jan when I had the vet come out last. It does not appear to be a pain issue. She also has been worked in side reins and it didn't help. She just has very room in her mouth for a bit. When you look in her mouth- her tongue takes up all the space leaving very little room for a bit. The bits seem to press up against her top pallet... Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to go look at bits tomorrow...

03-23-2009, 07:22 AM
PeggySue Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 991	if she doesn't have alot of room look for a "mullen" mouth with is fairly small diameter... __________________ I have been called the "NSC Nazi" because I have a problem with grain based feeds