Another vote for a Myler. Some places let you rent them before you buy.
I tried a level one on my horse who has a small mouth and big tongue (if you lift his lips, his tongue is literally squishing out between his teeth). He was fussy with it, so I spent the next couple years trying a variety of other bits. I finally came back to the Mylers and tried a level 2 D ring. It’s amazing. He’s so soft, doesn’t resist by opening his mouth anymore, it’s easier to keep him forward because I barely have to use my hands.
I know you said she fits a 5", but make sure it really is the correct width. I have a TB with a refined head and ride her in a 4.5" single joint Dee bit. Anything wider and she gets very fussy.
I put the 5 inch Fuhlmer on and it looked like a good fit in width She wasn’t particularly fussy once it was in and she was longeing on halter… But she fought the bit going in the first and subsequent times. I think the whole thing was just too big and flexible and clunky and clangy for her. I think probably doing more inside her mouth and palate than she wants.
Horse has baggage but is a sweetie and very friendly and can learn. I am going to search for both a mullen mouth and a French link of small diameter and continue putting a Twizzler “bit” in her mouth until she thinks it’s NBD.
My previous horse loved a baucher bit (actually the so-called butterfly baucher that Herm Sprenger made) and hated loose rings. My current horse despises any fixed ring bit and much prefers loose-rings, so horses often have very pronounced likes and dislikes that are pretty much idiosyncratic. (Current horse is the one that goes in a NS Turtle Tactio loose-ring).
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Given the follow up posts, I would really look to find a nathe/happy mouth (or even a leather one if you find that) straight bar. There are thin enough options within that umbrella. It may not turn out to be the right bit for the riding, but it will probably be easiest to get in there without accidentally clanging metal on teeth as you work to retrain bridling. Jointed and especially double jointed ones can twist or collapse if she fusses.
When metal comes into the picture, I would definitely be looking at “warm” metals (not literally of course, but it’s how I think of them). Fancy expensive ones like argurian (sp?) and such, but I also like good ole copper or sweet iron (speaking of which, is more common in the Western side, which offers a whole slew of options in smaller sizes and thinner mouthpieces).
Good luck with Feral Meryl (that made me lol!)
My mare has a super fat tongue, the plain snaffle I use on her now makes her tongue poke out the edges of her mouth :lol: I got a bit of a bonus from a wellness program at work, so after a ton of research I ordered a Neue Schule Verbidend bit (you can return if it doesn’t work). I can update after it gets here and I try it.
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My Trakehner mare had the typical small mouth of a trak but a relatively thick tongue. She HATED and objected to French links or similar bits that pressed on her tongue. The ones that fit her mouth stood up on her tongue, a larger size laid flatter. She also disliked single jointed snaffles, which probably poked her roof as it cleared her tongue. She loved a thin (14 mm) double-jointed Springer silver bit with a smooth link. She has “thick lips” (a lot of flesh there!) and I purchased a bit 1/2" longer than her mouth measured. Trainers commented on this but this mare objected to snaffles that fit her mouth because they pinched her fleshy lips (sometimes leaving open sores), and she loved this longer bit that I could move in her mouth. I started with 21mm bits and narrowed to 14mm because she would “hang” on the bit. Are you getting an idea of how much money I spent on bits? 
My current horse also has a small mouth and is a Westfalen. He’s bigger but I ride him in the above bit. When started, I tried thicker bits (I had a lot of bits to try) but we pretty much moved to the above bit mostly because he needed the control of a thinner bit, he tended to “grip” the bit, yet was happiest with a very mild bit. He’s now great in it.
Did I want to shell out the $$$ for a Herm Sprenger bit? No. Hell no! But this particular bit make the difference with two horses and I’ve had it for…11-12 years? Totally worth the investment for these particular small-mouthed horses.
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My half arabian really liked the level 1 comfort myler, level 2 myler pelham bit or a mullen pelham
my tiny mouth Hackney loves a Myler level one, he tolerated a french link full cheek bit as well. I used to wrap his bit with fruit roll ups and turn him out in his bridle with no noseband or reins. Worked great and now he’s super chill with his mouth.
Ok here’s a question. Do Myler bits carry the brand name Toklat? I was Googling and saw they seemed to be the same company. I was wondering because a friend lent me her rummage sale find that she said was a Myler (interesting design) but the brand name embossed was Toklat. No big deal either way of course.
I’m 99.9% sure mine is stamped Toklat too.
Yes, Toklat makes the Myler bits.
I’d suggest trying a Myler bit before actually buying one. There are several tack shops that offer a rental. I say that because neither of horses liked the Mylers at all (both were comfort snaffles).
I know that many horses like them though, but since they’re relatively expensive, a rental seems ideal.
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Ah cool! Then I have a Myler bit with a very curved mouthpiece to keep and use as needed! But of course there are dozens of different Myler configurations so no telling if Feral Meryl will eventually be happy in this particular bit.
Update. I bought a freakishly small mullen mouth bradoon with tiny rings at the second hand tack shop for $10. It’s wide enough, just small diameter. I wrapped it in Fruit Rollup which is this new to me wonderful snack food that is like sweet plastic and sticks to itself.
I was able to actually thread the bit sideways through her mouth like I was sticking in a Twizzler and then do up the cheek piece. She sucked off all the Fruit Rollup while I did work from the halter. Once she will accept the bit going past her front teeth I will move up to the Myler I have on loan.
We may go through a lot of Fruit Rollup but it is perfect because it’s no mess and it’s quite cheap because really it’s mostly sugar, it isn’t “fruit leather” at all!
Thank you for all the advice here, very helpful!
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