Bit over tongue....new thing?

SheZAAM! · 08-14-2008, 08:17 PM

Today for the 2nd time, Little Horse got her tongue over the bit. The 1st time was 2 weeks ago, but I've ridden her since then, in the same bit, using the 3rd hole up on the bridle. The bit I'm using is this:

She just had her teeth done in March. I've owned her since Feb. I used to have her bridle at the 2nd hole up (looser) but she would play around with her bit and hang her tongue out to the side, so I tighened it. She has 2 wrinkles on either side.

Yesterday I lunged her (with my instructor) using a snaffle and an elbow pull, but she didn't do anything funny with that one.

I already did a search on this subject, but didn't see anything that could pertain, or maybe I'm wrong.

Excuse me if I don't make much sense tonight. I spent the day at the water park (2nd largest in the USA) and then rode, so I'm butt A** tired!

PaintsQH · 08-14-2008, 08:32 PM

Just sounds like she has figured out how to get her tongue over the bit. Since she plays with her tongue and sticks it our her mouth, she has found something new to do with it. Try using the snaffle for a couple times and see how she does.

lbequ4002 · 08-14-2008, 08:34 PM

I don't know much about western bits but that one has a port and allows for her to move her tongue. I think it's supposed to give the tongue more freedom and not pinch it like a snaffle with a single joint can. But it looks like it would be hard to get her tongue over it. I'd have your instructor double check the fit.

EquineAlberta · 08-14-2008, 11:04 PM

2 wrinkles seems high for an unjointed bit or for a curb. I wonder if there is a reason she used to stick her tongue out. Perhaps the bit is a little thick for her mouth? Her tongue is likely wider than the port, so it isn't going to really be a tongue releif, instead the edges of the port may press onto her tongue. She may be trying to get relief and is sucking her tongue back out of the way and on two occasions ended up flipping it over. I would try a new bit.

Karen

Crookedblaze · 08-14-2008, 11:20 PM

I would agree, try a new bit. It sounds like she's either outsmarted you, or she doesn't like her current bit - but I think a discomfort issue is the likeliest culprit.

**gbarmranch** · 08-15-2008, 11:12 AM

I would try a new bit as well... a snaffle or argentine snaffle - I bet that bit is uncomfortable and she is trying to figure out how to make it work for her..

As mentioned, it is a thick bit..

tuffsmom · 08-15-2008, 11:22 AM

I'm sorry. Regal will when she is bored. She will stick her tongue over her bit then put it back under the bit. It hasn't mattered how tight or loose the bit is. We are using a cavason with a snaffle right not to see if we can break the habit.

What we found out with Regal is that she did it in all the bits they used to break her out. When she came to us, she was put in a curb with a really high port and she couldn't do it then but she wasn't in any condition to be ridden either.

SheZAAM! · 08-15-2008, 11:27 AM

I'll have to double check to see if my bit is that thick. That's just a pic of a grazing, low port curb, which is what I was told mine is. Mine also has "copper" on it.

She doesn't work as well in the snaffle. It works fine for arena work, but out on the trail, chasing cows, or when doing gymkhana, I like more control.

Btw....it's deliciously chilly here today. I woke up to 51 and the forcasted high will be 63 and rainy all day. I haven't seen an all day rain here in over a year!!!

*doing the happy rain dance*

reiningfan · 08-15-2008, 01:28 PM

I don't like that kind of bit in general, first of all it tends to create stiff horses. When the reins are lifted, the horse generally wants to stick it's nose out with one of those and stiffen it's poll and neck. I like my shanks to move, rather than be fixed like that as well. I would try something else.

SheZAAM! · 08-15-2008, 09:34 PM

Here pics of my snaff and curb bits:

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08-14-2008, 08:17 PM
SheZAAM! Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 530	Bit over tongue....new thing? Today for the 2nd time, Little Horse got her tongue over the bit. The 1st time was 2 weeks ago, but I've ridden her since then, in the same bit, using the 3rd hole up on the bridle. The bit I'm using is this: She just had her teeth done in March. I've owned her since Feb. I used to have her bridle at the 2nd hole up (looser) but she would play around with her bit and hang her tongue out to the side, so I tighened it. She has 2 wrinkles on either side. Yesterday I lunged her (with my instructor) using a snaffle and an elbow pull, but she didn't do anything funny with that one. I already did a search on this subject, but didn't see anything that could pertain, or maybe I'm wrong. Excuse me if I don't make much sense tonight. I spent the day at the water park (2nd largest in the USA) and then rode, so I'm butt A** tired! __________________ Last edited by SheZAAM! : 08-15-2008 at 10:47 AM.

08-14-2008, 08:32 PM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,442	Just sounds like she has figured out how to get her tongue over the bit. Since she plays with her tongue and sticks it our her mouth, she has found something new to do with it. Try using the snaffle for a couple times and see how she does. __________________ My treasures do not clink, they gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night

08-14-2008, 08:34 PM
lbequ4002 Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central AL Posts: 776	I don't know much about western bits but that one has a port and allows for her to move her tongue. I think it's supposed to give the tongue more freedom and not pinch it like a snaffle with a single joint can. But it looks like it would be hard to get her tongue over it. I'd have your instructor double check the fit.

08-14-2008, 11:04 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,474	2 wrinkles seems high for an unjointed bit or for a curb. I wonder if there is a reason she used to stick her tongue out. Perhaps the bit is a little thick for her mouth? Her tongue is likely wider than the port, so it isn't going to really be a tongue releif, instead the edges of the port may press onto her tongue. She may be trying to get relief and is sucking her tongue back out of the way and on two occasions ended up flipping it over. I would try a new bit. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

08-14-2008, 11:20 PM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,457	I would agree, try a new bit. It sounds like she's either outsmarted you, or she doesn't like her current bit - but I think a discomfort issue is the likeliest culprit. __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

08-15-2008, 11:12 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,233	I would try a new bit as well... a snaffle or argentine snaffle - I bet that bit is uncomfortable and she is trying to figure out how to make it work for her.. As mentioned, it is a thick bit.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

08-15-2008, 11:22 AM
tuffsmom Seasoned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 4,075	I'm sorry. Regal will when she is bored. She will stick her tongue over her bit then put it back under the bit. It hasn't mattered how tight or loose the bit is. We are using a cavason with a snaffle right not to see if we can break the habit. What we found out with Regal is that she did it in all the bits they used to break her out. When she came to us, she was put in a curb with a really high port and she couldn't do it then but she wasn't in any condition to be ridden either. __________________

08-15-2008, 11:27 AM
SheZAAM! Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 530	I'll have to double check to see if my bit is that thick. That's just a pic of a grazing, low port curb, which is what I was told mine is. Mine also has "copper" on it. She doesn't work as well in the snaffle. It works fine for arena work, but out on the trail, chasing cows, or when doing gymkhana, I like more control. Btw....it's deliciously chilly here today. I woke up to 51 and the forcasted high will be 63 and rainy all day. I haven't seen an all day rain here in over a year!!! doing the happy rain dance __________________ Last edited by SheZAAM! : 08-15-2008 at 11:30 AM.

08-15-2008, 01:28 PM
reiningfan Yearling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western Manitoba, Canada Posts: 516	I don't like that kind of bit in general, first of all it tends to create stiff horses. When the reins are lifted, the horse generally wants to stick it's nose out with one of those and stiffen it's poll and neck. I like my shanks to move, rather than be fixed like that as well. I would try something else.

08-15-2008, 09:34 PM
SheZAAM! Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 530	Here pics of my snaff and curb bits: __________________