I have a horse that pushes through the bit sometimes or tosses his head. He’s been all checked out by vets, dentists, etc., I’ve concluded it’s a behavioral issue, usually does it when we first head out, like a barn sour thing. I’ve thought I would try him in a different type of snaffle but I’m not sure which type of snaffle. Thank you so much.
You can explore different shapes of mouthpiece (mullen, single-, double-jointed) and cheeks/rings (full cheek, loose ring, D-ring, etc.) to see if your horse finds some more comfortable than others. BUT it sounds like you have a training issue more than a bitting issue.
I would suggest that you consult a respected trainer and ask for an evaluation of the situation. More often than not, pushing through the bit and head tossing need to be addressed with training that sharpens the horse’s response to aids other than the hands.
Sometimes a horse does not like the thickness of a snaffle. If a horse has a small mouth a thinner bit may actually be more comfortable to him. Also some horses prefer a snaffle with a bean rather than just one joint. The bean allows the snaffle to lay over the tongue and when in use the bean doesn’t hit the pallet.
Which snaffle do you have him in now? I am assuming an open bridle, no cavesson, right?
I am also assuming you mean a true snaffle, and not a curb with a jointed mouthpiece. ??
[QUOTE=Huntin’ Pony;8454469]
You can explore different shapes of mouthpiece (mullen, single-, double-jointed) and cheeks/rings (full cheek, loose ring, D-ring, etc.) to see if your horse finds some more comfortable than others. BUT it sounds like you have a training issue more than a bitting issue.
I would suggest that you consult a respected trainer and ask for an evaluation of the situation. More often than not, pushing through the bit and head tossing need to be addressed with training that sharpens the horse’s response to aids other than the hands.[/QUOTE]
Totally agree - those are evasion tactics he is using. If the bit was really bothering him, he’d do it all the time, or at least more than just at the beginning. You don’t necessarily need a trainer, maybe look into some ground work to get him listening to you and respectful before you get on.
[QUOTE=grasshopper66;8454395]
I have a horse that pushes through the bit sometimes or tosses his head. He’s been all checked out by vets, dentists, etc., I’ve concluded it’s a behavioral issue, usually does it when we first head out, like a barn sour thing. I’ve thought I would try him in a different type of snaffle but I’m not sure which type of snaffle. Thank you so much.[/QUOTE]
Can you post a picture of the exact bit you are currently using?
If the horse usually only does it when you first set out with your ride, that would point more to a behavioral cause.
Personally, I like snaffle bits that have a double joint. This is one of my favorite snaffle bits.
http://hilason.com/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/650x/1308c13442671062afdc1e45498e046f/2/5/25752-1.jpg
Usually, it’s going to be playing more with the mouthpiece and the thickness of the mouthpiece, that will play the biggest factors. Of course, you do need to consider the width of the horse’s mouth and make sure your bit is not too narrow or too wide, as that can cause discomfort.
I also like to use bit guards with any bit that has a mouthpiece that can slide, just to prevent pinched lips. I use bit guards with the snaffle i just posted above, because it can slide through the rings.
I agree it definitely sounds like your horse’s problem isn’t the bit but their attitude. FWIW I love the Myler bits! My horse finds their level 1 mouthpiece very comfy and works better in it than any other bit I’ve used.
I bought an older quarter horse mare who came with a tom thumb. She did a lot of head tossing in the beginning. I switched her to a plain snaffle with frrench link, and her head tosssing stopped right away. Another rider in our barn cured head tossing with a bitless bridle. It may be behavioral,but maybe it’s pain
Lots of good feedback here.
OP was posted 5 days ago. OP hasn’t been back to the thread.
I have a horse who had similar behavior. It was totally behavioral on his part. Still is on occasion. I switched him from a loose ring snaffle to an offset Dee and he gets over himself a bit faster. I think the loose ring’s movement made him feel like there was wiggle room in my aids.
I ride my mare in a d-ring snaffle. She does really well in a full cheek, but I have heard too many horror stories about horses getting them caught on a stirrup and panicking. The d-ring has the same action as a full cheek.
If you want a really good run down of pretty much every type of bit and bridle, this site is great: http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php
This is the best instructional video I’ve seen about fitting a bit. The speaker explains why some bits work for some horses and not for others based off their conformation.
http://epona.tv/how-to-fit-a-bit-to-your-horses-anatomy
EDIT:
Sorry this video used to be free. Here is a quick summary.
First of check width. (most people know this)
Second check for wolf teeth.
When you have your horses teeth floated and the horse is sedated place the bit in the horses mouth and check that there is enough palate clearance for the bit between the bit and the palate with your fingers. There are different heights of palate - some are flat and others arched. If your horse has a flat or low palate you will need a smaller joint or thinner mouthpiece. A too large mouthpiece will cause pressure on the palate at all times.
Then look at the shape of the bars. Some are wide and rounded and others are narrow and pointed. If the bit works primary on the bars - without the tongue working as a cushion - (particularly if the bars are narrow and pointed) the bit can damage the bone.
Because double jointed bits spread the action across a wider area they often don’t work for horses with narrow mouths - the width moves the action from the tongue to the sensitive bars.
Lastly the skill of the rider’s hands need to be considered when biting. Sometimes a horse fits a narrow thin bit but if ridden by a green rider that bit may become to severe. If in doubt ask a trainer.
