5.5 inch correction bits for under $100... do they exist? still no luck :(

[bbird930]

Just like the title says… do they exist? I’ve found a small handful of 5 1/4 correction bits but the 5 inch one is really just too small and I’m afraid a 5 1/4 won’t be much different.

The rings where the cheek pieces of his current bit (5 inch correction) attach are attempting to rub his hair off but there’s no room for me to add bit guards without squishing his mouth any more.

He works really well in this mouthpiece and is very light and responsive so I’d rather not change much other than size.

Is a custom bit (like a Myler) my only option?

[gaitedincali]

It sounds like the problem isn’t that his mouth actually needs a 5.5" bit, but that it’s the cheek pieces.

A quality bit should have the headstall rings canted out, if yours doesn’t have this or it’s not done enough anyone who does any metalwork can fix that for you in <5min, usually for a nominal fee. My farrier ‘fixes’ bits like this for me for free.

[KIloBright]

Western curbs , with mouthpieces bigger than the standard stock horse size of 5 inches, are available, but usually need to be custom ordered, as most tack stores don’t stock them
I had to have one ordered in special for my gelding, who is 16.3hh, and needs a curb with a 51/4 mouth piece.
Have you measured his mouth, from one corner to the other?
It almost sounds like his bridle could be the problem, far as size
Measure his mouth, and then if he truly needs a 51/2" , try some draft horse tack shops.

[bbird930]

Well, he wears a 5 3/4 in a french link snaffle and it’s a really good fit. So, it seems to me like he’d need at least a 5 1/2 in a curb. He’s got some pretty big lips. I’ll see if my farrier can fix the rings for me for a short term fix though.

[UrbanHennery]

Here’s one:
http://www.armstrongsts.com/stainless-steel-5-5-med-port-correction-bit-dbl-swivel-copper-mouth/

[bbird930]

Yay! thank you!

[bbird930]

So, they had to refund me for that bit because they don’t have it anymore. Any other places to look?

I had my farrier widen the cheek pieces and it still rubs him so I have resorted to a piece of fleece on the ring that looks utterly ridiculous. Any other suggestions?

[csaper58]

www.bitbybit.ws/curb-bits.shtml

near the bottom of the page, #522 These are Bowman bits, handmade in the USA.
They can make what you want.

[goodhors]

Is the correction bit the one with the hinged port? Do you really need the height of the port, to keep horse working as needed?

If the Farrier already helped you with the sides of bit, maybe they could work the port to make it wider and shorter, to gain the width on the entire mouthpiece for the horse.

I am sure the bit would need heat to reshape the port. So the Farrier is a good one to ask to work the bit hot, for your needs in widening port over the horn of the anvil. Still should be able to keep the hinge action on the legs of the U, though port wouldn’t be quite as tall as it started out. Horse might like the wider port better, on the remodeled mouthpiece with correct size for his face!

[bbird930]

[QUOTE=goodhors;7940200]
Is the correction bit the one with the hinged port? Do you really need the height of the port, to keep horse working as needed?

If the Farrier already helped you with the sides of bit, maybe they could work the port to make it wider and shorter, to gain the width on the entire mouthpiece for the horse.

I am sure the bit would need heat to reshape the port. So the Farrier is a good one to ask to work the bit hot, for your needs in widening port over the horn of the anvil. Still should be able to keep the hinge action on the legs of the U, though port wouldn’t be quite as tall as it started out. Horse might like the wider port better, on the remodeled mouthpiece with correct size for his face![/QUOTE]

He works super well in it the way that it is. He has a tendency to be slightly unpredictable sometimes (as in, oh look! a thing! I will buck away from the thing… bucking is fun! I will continue to buck with increasing power!). I really like having the port that I do have so when he decides to be silly I can pick his head up and keep him from bucking. I was using a french link snaffle which worked for 90% of my rides but when it didn’t, it really didn’t.

However, I will ask him if he can widen the port. The bit I have on him is just $30 so if it breaks I can just go pick up another. It came from tractor supply. My farrier was concerned when widening the cheeks about heating up the metal in the mouth piece. Its got sweet iron with copper inlays on the pieces beside the port and he didn’t want to mess up how it was tempered. He will be back in about a week though so I’ll see.

csaper58, thanks for the link! I will be contacting them later today to see if they can make one with a more curved shank.

[goodhors]

I don’t think having a slightly shorter port is as much of an issue, as the ratio of the purchase (above the bit) and the shank’s length you are trying to lift his head with, during his moments of excitement. How long are the shanks on your bit? Longer shank gives more leverage when using the reins.

Having snug curb chain, bit not folding in his mouth while pulling reins (like a French Link will), should help get the head UP to, keep him under a bit of control.

I personally don’t like mouthpieces that fold or bend, have hinges in them, with long shank sides. Just too easy to have uneven pull with reins, maybe a folding or twisting of those sides when using the reins. Solid mouthpiece doesn’t do that or allow sides to act independently when pulled, so they have been a better tool for my uses on a broncy horse. Might be something to try on your guy, by borrowing a bit with a higher port, no hinges on the mouthpiece, same length shank, and using it over several (7-10 times) rides. You want to use bit long enough to see if there is a TRUE change in communication with horse, or he was just being nice the first few times because everything felt “different”. That “magic bit” effect only lasts about the first 5 rides, then horse is back to his true feelings on that new bit.

[bbird930]

I’ll look into a non hinged mouthpiece. The trainer I’m working with now is riding him twice a week and requested that he be in the correction bit. Trainer is mainly a reining guy so that’s probably why. I’m just getting a better handle and better manners on my guy before I go back to learning to rope.

The correction bit worked great today. The arena was being rearranged while I was riding and one jump was moved near the rail which caused a bolt about 3 strides after we passed it and then an attempted bucking session. Correction bit did its job and I was able to lift his head and kick on. Horses.

ETA: This is my bit currently http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/reinsman-circle-r-correction-bit-cr755