Looking for bit help - Poponcini, Beris, Trust?

[jhg140]

Disclaimer - by providing information, you are willingly enabling a bit hoarder.

Does anyone have experience with the Poponcini bits, or other similar “soft” bits like Beris or Trust?

When we first got the horse in question and started showing, he was still a bit lazy and out of shape and unable to really manage his ridiculous step while consequently being super excitable in the show ring, so we showed him in what I affectionately dubbed his “war bit” (http://www.equestrianoutfitter.com/catalog_detail.epl?product_id=2173). He was super in it, not offended at all (shockingly, as this horse will turn himself inside out if asked to jump in a bit he doesn’t like).

As he got more fit, we moved down to a ported straight rubber pelham, and finally are at a Neue Schule Verbindend 2.5 ring with two reins. I love this mouth piece on him, we flat and school at home mainly in the loose ring, and I like the leverage option to bump him back a bit when he gets excited in the show ring.

However, I now feel like this is too much bit again, at least by the second week of showing. I’m wary of going into the ring without something with leverage, and am thinking of going with a softer mouthpiece. Interested in anyone’s experiences with Poponcini, Beris or Trust bits, particularly for the hot, sormewhat strong, but sensitive types. Any anecdotal experience would be awesome - thank you!

[dani0303]

I have a horse similar to what you describe. We played the bit carousel game for almost a year with varying degrees of success. The mare is strong and forward but sensitive in her mouth. She’s obviously been bitted up in the past and tends to drop behind in a stronger bit. I didn’t have the budget for the bits you’ve listed above but my trainer had a 3-ring elevator with a rolled leather mouthpiece lying around.

It was the miracle bit! The leather is more flexible than any rubber bit I’ve used. I use 2 reins with it and the leverage is enough to keep her above the bit but not so much mouthpiece that she backs off the bridle entirely. At home we flat her in a d-ring with the same mouthpiece and jump in the 3-ring.

This is where my trainer bought hers from. They can make the mouthpiece with any kind of cheeks
​​​​​​https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetBillysBits

[Words_of_Wisdom]

The Poponcini mouthpiece worked very well for my very sensitive-mouthed horse (who also needed some leverage). Worth a try.

[jhg140]

In case anyone comes searching for the same info… I ended up trying a Trust Inno Sense 3 ring. Purchased via Equiport in the UK, who were very helpful with some order hiccups - highly recommend. Anyway, flatted in the bit Friday and jumped today, just did a vertical-vertical one stride up to about 3’6" but my horse was super soft and adjustable in it, and seemed pleasant enough.

this is the bit: https://www.equiport.co.uk/products/horse/bits/inno-sense-ported-three-ring-gag-tr47/