Bit Mavens - Dressage legal bit suggestions

[fordtraktor]

So I don’t have this exact problem but I have one fussy about his bit. I am looking for a Weymouth for his double bridle and have my eye on the Trust InnoSense ported, fixed side plastic version that is flexible (medium, not hard). I think the thinner version looks promising and I might consider the snaffle version for your issue.

I have that same Fager bit and he didn’t love it. He weirdly liked a heavier one, the Mikmar Cupreon with a ridged link eggbutt. I never would have picked this bit in a thousand years but it came on a bridle I bought used on FB Marketplace and it turns out he loves it and is happier with more contact than any of the other ones I tried, including a few of the Neue Schules, Fagers and HS bits. It’s heavy and thick, but he randomly feels comfortable in it. He is naturally very light mouthed so I actually needed one I could take more of a feel of his mouth with, and this is the one. Who knew? It isn’t as expensive as some others so maybe worth a try.

The turtle top is very popular and my other horse likes it. She goes in that happily, so worth a try especially if you can borrow one! She’s a good egg though and not picky at all.

[fordtraktor]

@poltroon this is what I was looking for in a Weymouth and I think the Trust InnoSense plastic version is as close as there is to it. You might give that a shot too. It is approved for shows.

[NaturallyHappy]

@beowulf, dumb question. Since he has a scar, could you file for an equipment exception?

[Jealoushe]

my recommendation as well.

[kaya842]

@poltroon

I think in general what we’re missing from our collective arsenal is a bit that is stable, with a soft exterior material, and without joints, but can completely conform to the horse’s mouth shape, and then once shaped, provide a very even pressure. Technically this is something we should be able to produce, and it could be very kind. Challenge would be getting it accepted and approved.

Ah yes, the leather bit. Not the leather cover bits, but the 100% leather bits. They have a soft exterior material, mold to the mouth, are not jointed, and can come in any cheekpiece really. Too bad USDF made them illegal (I know this is eventing but still I’ve got beef with them not being legal).

[trubandloki]

Wow, so many great bit ideas.
I am not the OP but I appreciate all these posts.

@poltroon

Gah! Stuff like that drives me bonkers. If I’ve found something that works for my horse, just trust me and let it be. You don’t need to walk up and tighten my noseband two holes and you don’t need to adjust my bit without asking me first why I have it like that, and LISTENING.

If I see you (general) with your bridle such that your nose band is going over your cheek piece, should I assume you did that on purpose or mention something might be wrong (not touching your horse)?
I think people seeing a bit that far down in the mouth is the same situation. Clearly touching with out permission is never OK. But someone saying something is just concern, not menacing.
A polite response of - Can you believe it, that is how Dobbin likes it best - will end their worry and you can go back to what you were doing.

[DoubleDown]

Give these a look. I think they’re soft, may be gentler on a scar? https://www.winderen.com/en/page/658/bits.html

[add_leg]

My very picky similar gelding went in a custom leather baucher from Sweet Billy’s bits. He also had one in her rope material, which is… debatably legal in USEA (it’s made from plastic and plastic is legal), but I just kept a leather one to show in and he never noticed a difference. I did wrap both with sealtex so I don’t think he really knew one vs another, the rope just seemed to last a little longer.