I have a very sane OTTB who has an aversion to bits that are “heavy” in his mouth. He goes fine in a Nathe but needs a new one - fairly happy in a hollow mouth snaffle but those are still too fat for his mouth/tongue. Anyone got suggestions? ???
Are you sure that it is the weight of the bit that bothers him and not the diameter? I found that my OTTB, who has a huge tongue, goes much better in a skinnier bit. Don’t let anyone who tells you that a skinnier bit is harsher get into your head. Nothing fat fits in my horse’s mouth. The skinnier, the kinder, for the horses without much space in their mouths. And hey, the skinnier the bit, the lighter!
[QUOTE=CupOJavaa;8700045]
Are you sure that it is the weight of the bit that bothers him and not the diameter? I found that my OTTB, who has a huge tongue, goes much better in a skinnier bit. Don’t let anyone who tells you that a skinnier bit is harsher get into your head. Nothing fat fits in my horse’s mouth. The skinnier, the kinder, for the horses without much space in their mouths. And hey, the skinnier the bit, the lighter![/QUOTE]
I definitely think the hollow mouth is too thick, but last summer when I adopted him, I put him in my standard KK snaffle and forever he went around like a giraffe - in desperation I tried the Nathe and instant head down happiness. This past February went with the hollow mouth just to see if he’d be ok and avoid money as I already had the hollow mouth. May try the Nathe again tomorrow just to see if there’s a difference then bit the bullet and buy another if he’s clearly happier 
Let me know what bit you think I might consider!
How about one of the leather deals I had rigged up? Cheaper than a nathe!
ETA: Doc eventually went in a happy mouth French link with a piece of seal-Tex wrapped around the joint because he chewed it to his liking. Replace seal-tex when chewed through again.
My horse has always had a stiff mouth/jaw. She’s soft in that she listens very well to subtle aids, but she never really relaxed in her jaw, never chewed the bit, never got any “lipstick” (she always had a dry mouth after rides). I bought a Neue Schule verbindend loose ring snaffle for dressage and a Neue Schule demi-anky loose ring snaffle for jumping. I believe they are both 16mm in diameter. I think my horse just likes something about the metal of the Neue Schule bits- she has never fussed with them and has a foamy mouth after every ride now. They are both curved, which I thinks is comfortable for her, and I find them to be pretty darn lightweight. All things that I need for her because like I said, there just isn’t much room in there. I shopped around for a good deal for a while and finally ended up getting both for like 120$ go me.
Hmm, you can buy hollow mouth loose rings that aren’t thick. Mine is a Stubben but it’s maybe 20 years old so not sure they still make them. I don’t see one on the website, but here’s one that looks similar:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/hollow-mouth-loose-ring/p/X1-01158/
My guy - also TB - hated the KK ultra. He goes best in a single jointed D with a curved mouthpiece. This is it (if you care) -
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/jp-korsteel-hunter-dee-7987
As you can tell, I’m kind of off the $100+ bits bandwagon! 
Lorenzini Titanium bits must be the lightest weight. There is a place that rents them for testing:
http://shop.ridefreemassage.com/Lorenzini-Titanium-Bits-BIT-RENTAL-171.htm
I know nothing about them though!
