Alternatives to Bombers Happy Tongue bit

[OceansAway]

Hi everyone,

I am considering trying the Bombers Happy Tongue bit for my mare, after finding out she has unusually large molars in her relatively small mouth amongst other reasons. However, being in the United States, I can’t find any retailers that do trials and I don’t want to buy a new bit just to find out my horse hates it. I’m realistic in that I know I’ll never get around to advertising it for resale!

I keep seeing knockoff versions that look extremely similar if not virtually identical, and I’m wondering if anyone has tried them? I’d love some feedback! Thanks, all!

[tarheelmd07]

The Expert Blu bits from the UK are a knockoff and we’ve used them successfully. Even with shipping from the UK they come in in a fraction of the bomber price.

[OceansAway]

Thank you!

[allikat819]

Cavalon bits has some lower cost alternatives!

[before_color]

Trust Innosense has tongue relief with the medium and hard mouthpieces that are, in my opinion, quite similar to the Bombers Blue bits. Not quite the Bombers Happy Tongue that you have, but in a similar direction.

[OceansAway]

Thank you!

[Cerise]

Shady 5 Tack carries the Bomber Happy Tongue, in the eggbutt at least, and you can rent it. I actually rented a bit from them a few weeks ago and ended up buying it from them.

[4wdNstraight]

So I just found out my horse has a narrow tongue with extremely fleshy lips, and the normal 3 piece bits with the middle bean was sliding off the sides aggravating him. I just thought he was young and a little unsteady in the contact.

My dentist recommended the Myler comfort snaffle because it is small like his mouth, but has a barrel that wouldn’t slide so much.

I have to say I thought this was nuts. So I went on FB and found a used one for $60 so that way I wouldn’t have so much invested if it wasn’t good. He loves this bit! He really connected forward to it.

So, maybe find something close on FB that you can try and resell if not good. You could also try this bit. It works well on my small mouth, fleshy lipped, narrow tongued, flat palate horse.

[Jealoushe]

I strongly advise against this bit. It damaged my horses mouth pretty badly on XC at one event. Ripped her lips quite badly where she needed months off to heal. I had other people tell me they had issues with bruising also. Be very careful.

[applelover]

Which bit specifically are you referring to here, just to be sure?

[OceansAway]

Which bit are you referring to? I ask because several different ones have been mentioned at this point aside from the one in my OP.

[OceansAway]

This is perfect, thank you!

[DMK]

I have a pony that used the happy tongue and my only complaint is that the port isn’t scaled for the bit. He’s a 6" bit kind of pony, so that’s a problem since he comes with a low palate/fat tongue. In short, a poster child for that bit shape… but the port is fixed in width across all their bits. Great for a 4.5 or 5, less useful for a 6"!

Anyway, I was ordering a trust medium port Liverpool from the Netherlands as an alternative since it looked like it has good tongue clearance because it is a wider arch style port and if I got TWO bits I got free shipping. So I had to, right? I tried the innosense medium port in a 2 ring and I have to say I’m really happy with how much he likes it. And shocked that he doesn’t just happily run off through it, because I’m telling you, nothing can pull quite like a fjord…

[OceansAway]

Thanks so much for the information! I absolutely know what you mean about the Fjords. I used to ride them as a kid, and those necks are no joke! Absolute cuties though, so I guess they get a pass.

[DMK]

Happiest day of my life was the day I put the full bridle on him! (But yes, maximum cute)

[Displaced_Yankee]

My Bomber bit (same mouthpiece, but the “Bomber Blue” material) failed after about 15 rides. No refunds, no exchanges, no returns. Be glad you are seeking alternatives!

FWIW: the “Bomber Blue” material is a nylon composite. It warped within 15 rides causing sharp points that caused sores. I sent pictures to the dealer (bit fitter who sold it to me) and Bombers and everyone told me it is a known issue and that I am SOL.

[CanteringCarrot]

What a lovely photo! I do love a Fjord.

[CanteringCarrot]

I went back and forth on a Bomber Happy Tongue vs a Myler comfort snaffle and opted for the latter. My young horse seems to do alright in it and it fits his mouth well. I’ve noticed that he’s particular about tongue pressure when it comes to bits.

[Texarkana]

My picky mare adores this bit:

https://www.amazon.com/Shires-Alloy-Loose-Mullen-Mouth/dp/B00VTQ0VMG?gQT=2&th=1

The “blue” wears off pretty quickly and it turns rusty, but that doesn’t phase her. Worth a try since it’s basically the cheapest bit you can buy these days!

[Displaced_Yankee]

This is the one we ended up with…I am pulling it back out tomorrow