Bit Suggestions? Ex-driving horse with fleshy lips

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I purchased my horse straight from an Amish dealer with little to no background information. He had zero under saddle training, was significantly underweight and his feet and teeth were a mess. That was three years ago, and we are currently working training/1st level and he is physically prepared to be doing the work (vet/teeth/worming, saddle fit, weight is good/sufficient protein, bodywork including chiro) but I am having issues with bit fit. He got his teeth floated yesterday with minimal work needing to be done. He has a big-ish tongue, and a normal palate – the issue is his lips! When he was getting his teeth done, his lips completely covered his teeth when we put the speculum in.

My trainer and I have been playing around with some different bits, but we have not found one where he really feels confident in the connection. The best we’ve gotten is a Myler loose ring, which he is currently in. He is in a Micklem bridle, and we tried adding the bit clips to stabilize the bit in his mouth, which helped! But his face conformation made it so that it put too much pressure on the noseband. Anyone tried these new thick rubber mullen mouths on a horse with this type of challenge?

So COTH hive mind – what’s worked for you?

[Jealoushe]

A horse with fleshy lips should avoid mullen mouth or straight bars, it just adds pressure to the inside of the lips and encourages rubbing and pinching. Plus the bit isn’t at all stable, they are more likely to cause bruising. Also a loose ring is more prone to pinch than an eggbutt.

I would try something from the NS line. I have had good luck with the turtle top or trans angled. Definitely an eggbutt or D ring for stability.

My mare has big fleshy lips and has been a bit of a nightmare over the years, I have spent countless hours reading and thousands on bits. The NS are far superior than anything else. They also have a questionnaire you can fill out for help.

https://nsbits.com/product-category/horse/fixed-cheek

[eightpondfarm]

i’ve never had what i would call a fleshy-lipped horse. But i do start everyone in a full cheek snaffle.

edit: Well, i forgot about my mule. He was a blubbermouf. Could not pickup a peanut (in the shell) from my hand. His lips were not exactly thick though, just…blubbery, lacking finesse.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

Oh man… I was really hoping to avoid the $300 bits, but the eggbutt turtle top was calling to me. I was hoping to get it from Dressage Extensions Test Bit program, but it’s not available online. I’ll call and double check.

[Jealoushe]

Yeah it’s brutal and can get expensive fast trying bits lol I recommend asking around to see if you can borrow, or even have a bit fitter out who can bring all types and measure the mouth etc. There are some good Youtube vidoes by NS too that are just informative in general to help give you an understanding of what you need and why.

[Piaffe11]

No suggestions, but there’s a really good group on facebook for selling name brand bits called “Second hand top quality bits.”

A bunch of the members are in the UK, but I picked up a NS Verbindend for $120CAN with shipping from the UK.

Might make buying bits less painful if you can’t find a trial.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

Ooh, thanks for the tip! I just joined the group!

[2DogsFarm]

Eggbutt snaffle worked for DH’s flubber-lipped horse.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

My trainer rode him today in a Herm Springer Sensogan Eggbutt bradoon that we borrowed from a barn mate. It seemed to go well, so I think I’m going to start there. I talked to my trainer and she seems to prefer the HS to the NS, so we’ll keep her happy until and unless it isn’t working.

[Feathered_Feet]

I just glanced at the other responses but didn’t see bit rentals mentioned. OP, you might look into those to be able to trial bits for ~ 2 weeks for ~ $15-20. I know Dressage Extensions offers bit rentals, and I think there’s a place in the UK that offers them, too (don’t know the name).

[Posting_Trot]

I was going to suggest the Turtle Tactio which I think might be better than the Turtle top. The Tactio is nice because it’s designed to give some bar relief, and if the horse’s tongue is over the bars, this bit will help.

I have a horse who has a large tongue and fleshy lips, and the Turtle Tactio has been the best choice for her.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I actually worry about his LIPS being over his bars. They are so fleshy and will form a flap over his teeth if his mouth is open – I observed this while he had a speculum in for his dental. Either way, sounds like the Tactio will be plan B if the HS doesn’t work out. Thank you!

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I did look in to the Dressage Extensions rental, and may do that for the NS to try both the Tactio and the tranz angled. They don’t have a ton of the eggbutts available, understandably. But I’ll look in to the UK one too. With shipping issues being what they are, that might not be a right now solution. Thanks!

[Kyrabee]

I have a mare with fleshy inner cheeks (along side her molars, not so much lips).Most jointed bits are a no go. I think the problem is two fold…she doesn’t like tongue pressure so she will pull the bit back in her teeth, then when she chomps on it, she is pinching/bruising those fleshy cheeks. Double jointed is worse than single.

I use two bits on her and go back and forth with them. One is a PeeWee bit…most decidedly not dressage legal but after trying 30 bits and burning up my CC, I didn’t care. It took a couple years anyway to regain her trust and comfort before I tried showing. I could get away showing with a Myler mullen mouth but her behavior would deteriorate after a couple rides and yes, she was pinched and bruised. She seems to do best with the arch shaped mullen mouth bits.

The other bit that works on her is the NS Turtle Tactio (which is legal). I think a couple things let’s that one work…it is thinner and flattish over the tongue and it “locks” making it act somewhat like a MM. She can still get some minor marking on those fat cheeks but her performance has never deteriorated with the TT.

I had never had a horse that was so difficult to bit but when you think about, bit fit can be just as important and challenging as saddle fitting and the performance hindrance just as bad if that fit isn’t right.

Good luck.
Susan