Best bit for baby (4 year old)

Recently acquired a young horse as a trade (she was described as not willing to play). I have a variety of bits to try, and was just looking for opinions on what you guys like. Bigger, fatter? i don’t think she likes the Aurigan link I’m using. Would you try smaller, thinner, plain old snaffle, full cheeks? With a baby mouth, do you find thinner or fatter is better? She does seem to have a smaller mouth. And yes, will be doing teeth in the spring. Weather now is not conductive to outdoor dentistry!!

Try a Mullen mouth happy mouth.

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Thinner (within reason) is better in this case. Yes, thicker = pressure is more spread out, but she might feel unable to close her mouth if the bit is too thick which will be uncomfortable. I have a pony that is much happier in a thinner bit because he has a giant tongue and there’s just not room for a fat lozenge mouthpiece, no matter how “kind” they are.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either a full cheek or d ring for a baby. Once the steering is there you can try a loose ring etc.

At this point it is probably best to just stick with whatever kind option she seems to tolerate the best, babies will be fussy no matter what.

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Most of the youngsters I’ve ridden have been very happy in my double-jointed happy mouth dee ring w/ roller. The only issue is that it can get sharp points over time, so check after every ride.

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My favourite for a baby is a single jointed thinner rubber D ring/Full cheek but have also used a double jointed loose ring as thats a bit I always have on hand. Could definitely try a mullen mouth. Basically I would start at the bottom with the most mild bit you can think of and then work your way through the options.

My favorite, besides the obvious French-link loose ring, is an unjointed nathe. They are thinner, which I like—and you can find them in both loose-ring and D-ring configurations, depending on how good your steering is.

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This is one of my fav videos about bits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Od_r7weGo

Especially like when he throws the garbage ones to the side :joy:

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I’d second trying either a Nathe mullen mouth or a Herm-Sprenger Duo mullen mouth. They are both made of soft plastic. They’re not hard like Happy Mouth bits, and they’re not fat like black rubber bits.

I had a TB mare who was very fussy about what was in her mouth, especially when I first got her. The Nathe bit was a real help at the beginning.

Thank you for posting that video! Just watched it, very informative.
I’ve got lots of ideas to play with now.

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Thanks for all the replies. I’ve got lots to play and experiment with.

I use bits by Berris and Trust- order from Germany cuz it’s a lot cheaper - the bendy white mullen mouth in different styles - Dee, Pelham, and a mid weight gray mouth as well as the soft white

I agree with other who say Dee or loose ring for the cheek pieces. Also the Mullen mouth and soft plastic or, even better IMO, leather. The happy mouths are too wide and hard, IMO. I agree that thinner is better as well. None of my horses have liked the fatter bits as they can close their mouth all the way.

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