Best Bit for Horse with a Big Tongue Resisting Contact

[Dr_Doolittle]

So - is the Bomber “dressage legal” for competition? (My apologies if already asked and answered )

[whbar158]

My mare is like this, has a total giraffe mode at the trot if she gets mad. It has greatly improved in recent weeks, we still struggle in upward transitions and if I have to correct her with her straightness, both directions. So far she goes best in a French link. It has taken a lot of hard work to get better. Some days I don’t even see the giraffe now though, other days it can still be a struggle but it is still so much better than it was. While I have a lot of experience and well skilled rider, some rides from my trainer have probably helped the most, not very many but every so often a ride from her has really made things better. She does the same things to my trainer she’s just more persistent and doesn’t get frustrated.

[add_leg]

@Dr. Doolittle

So - is the Bomber “dressage legal” for competition? (My apologies if already asked and answered )

USEF has confirmed for a handful of us who have inquired (via Bombers) that it is legal. There are a few threads here on it that discuss legalities of it!

[punchy]

If the Myler helped, you might try going up a level—as you probably know, they provide greater tongue relief as you go up the levels. I started mine in a level 1, which helped a little at first and then didn’t, so I went to a level 2, and I’ve used it ever since. My horse is very happy in it.

[NoSuchPerson]

@Dr. Doolittle

So - is the Bomber “dressage legal” for competition? (My apologies if already asked and answered )

Bomber’s is the brand. They make several different lines of bits. So, when you check to see if the bit you want to use is legal, you need to look at the specific style. Some are and some aren’t.

[LovieBird]

Kk Ultra

[the_rook]

@RonniMcLaughlin

I’m having an issue with my horse at the trot that I’m thinking might be related to his bit. He will walk and canter very comfortably on the bit and pushing into the contact, but at the trot he objects frequently to my outside rein, going into giraffe mode. I switched from a loose ring snaffle to a D ring Myler to try to relieve pressure on his tongue, and I think it helped a little but he still resists my hand at trot. I think he might be objecting in part to my hands as well, which I’m working on, but does anyone have any recommendations of bits for a horse with a large tongue to help keep them comfortable?

@punchy also said it but if the Myler helped, going up a level is something to try. If you are in the MB01/02 which have no port (in my opinion you won’t really see any “Myler benefit” from these bits other than ergonomic fit), switching to the MB04 with a port should help a lot. If you are in the MB04 with the small port, try the MB06, or the MB33WL which are more of a mullen style and both dressage legal - only do the 33WL if he is well schooled because it has basically no central tongue pressure. I switched my mare to the one with the small port (04) several years ago and it only took about 6-8 months before I moved her up. Going up a level will take away more tongue pressure and distribute it to the bars. This will also help give him relief from you inadvertently putting too much or inconsistent pressure on the center of the tongue if your hands aren’t steady. I know these bits really well because my mare is a princess and the pea type and we have gone through lots of every type of tack