I switched to a loose ring happy tongue for my ultra sensitive-mouth, flappy cheeked mare. She loves it and is actually very nice and steady in the contact now that we made that change. I had her in a single joint Novocontact before and it wasn’t quite right. The last thing she needed was more bar or poll pressure. The bit works because it is quiet, stable and gives her tongue/cheeks room to be comfortable.
I think the whole point of these bits is tongue relief.
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I ride my horse in a loose ring bomber blue (ported like the happy tongue but made of a rubbery material) and would like to try the happy tongue. she is a super sensitive ottb and likes to throw her head a lot so I am looking for the softest bit available. she went the best and was most relaxed in the bomber blue out of everything I have tried except she chewed it up and within a year it is now unusable which is annoying for how expensive they are.
not exactly what you are asking for but the bomber blue is pretty much exactly the same except this one is sweet iron metal.
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The vet dentist I use tells me he sees a lot of bruised bars from these bits, which were very popular here for a while, now I see a lot for sale second hand ? I have never tried one personally.
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I have a titanium Bomber Happy Tongue D-ring. I got it to try on a 6yr. old OTTB who was trying to chew any and all stainless steel snaffles to their component molecules. He chewed it less but did NOT act like he was more comfortable at all, ducking back from contact and I had to use a lot more seat/thigh/leg to turn him peacefully.
I also tried it on an Arab-Welsh elderly mare who prefers riding on contact. She did not seem to like contact with this bit at all but she was pretty polite about expressing her opinion.
My Bomber’s bit now resides in my bit box. Since I ride other people’s lesson horses I am sure that eventually I may run into a horse that enjoys this bit, since it is made of titanium.
From what I am observing right now with the Fager bits now, even though tongue freedom sounds nice, happy and humane it means that the horse’s bars no longer have any protection against the bit. Both the horses I used the Bomber Happy Tongue bit on became restive with contact, which I promptly dropped since I believe the horses when they show me the are not comfortable. The same thing, though the horse was not as vehement, happened to me with the Fager “tongue freedom” style of bit.
I would ride with the Bomber Happy Tongue bit more like a “signal bit”, severed enough to preclude the normal contact/hand aids, so I would just tweak sagging reins when I’d use the bit. Sagging reins and well timed hand aids are your friend here.
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I have the loose ring happy tongue. I’m not in love with it for my mare, and would be willing to sell if you’re interested. It’s either 125 or 135mm, I can’t remember. If you’re interested, I’ll check later.
I also have an eggbutt bomber blue, same concept in a synthetic material, that I would be willing to part with, 125mm.
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Looks like the legality of the op bit is pending review, see page 18 of Annex A https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/96D17lSsaCo/annex---bits-saddlery-equipment
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I was riding in the Eggbutt happy tongue, it was a huge help in my mare who was really struggling to understand connection but was also super strong. On my other mare, it was too much and she reared within 2 minutes of riding her in it. They will let you know one way or another.
We eventually no longer needed the happy tongue, and went to a plain D ring on fat side. I don’t think I could have gotten my mare to this point though without the Bombers bit in the process.
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I tried a few.
I always go back to KKs.
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I have moved my horse through many bits and he pretty much hated them all. If I was not lessoning in Dressage I would go bitless. As a last ditch effort I contacted Bombers directly for advice which is free and they will take as much time as you need. . I do think the happy mouth bits need to fitted correctly to be accepted. And these happy mouth bits are only for horses that resist tongue pressure. Its the wrong bit for other issues. The bit needs to fit tight to the cheek. As in the fit needs to be many sizes smaller than what your horse would normally wear. I worked with their bit fitter and sent dental pics. To take pressure off the tongue the bit has to sit somewhat on the bars but the model I use which is double jointed happy mouth spreads the pressure out between the bars and the tongue. . Besides the fact the Bombers happy tongue bits must sit right next to the lips- as the center needs to stay in the center of the tongue , the bit ( designed to sit on the bars) is very uncomfortable for the horse if you place the bit high in the mouth and or lift your hands high with a high bit placement. I sent pictures to Bombers to make sure the bit was in the right place after I got it…All the trainers want to lift it up and I firmly say no. After they see my horse not fighting the bit and not having a gaping mouth, or his tongue over the bit they stop asking. And yes, despite the bit being very low in the mouth, he does not attempt to strangle himself anymore by working his tongue over the bit! You should see any center piece hanging out the side of the mouth. Bombers can also make any combination of bit you can imagine. The bit combination I use is not even shown on the website. I asked for a different cheek piece and they made it for me no extra charge and in a size smaller than offered on website. And it arrived from S. Africa in less than 7 days. The choices and service reminded me of bits 45 years ago when many were custom made combinations unique to each horse. I would not buy their bits without consulting them first. They offer so many more options than what what their catalogue shows. I have no affiliation with Bombers either! Thats why its important to ask your Vet about the shape of your horses mouth. Bombers bits are all specialized for specific mouths and issues.
