Military Elbow Driving Bits

[horsegeeks]

I have had someone recommend getting a Military Elbow style bit for one of our draft horses. (She has a “busy” mouth and actually managed to get her reins in her mouth while I was standing with her talking to someone else.)

Since I believe this mare has both a low palate and a thick tongue I wanted to get her an arch mouth or Mullen mouth Military Elbow style bit

Unfortunately, what I see listed for the Military Elbow is either a straight or low port mouth piece. Does the Military Elbow exist in a Mullen or Arch mouth mouth piece? If so, could you point me to a website that show them?

THANKS!

[sk_pacer]

Here you go: http://www.horsetackinternational.com/draft-horse-bits.html

[horsegeeks]

THANKS!

I’ve e-mailed them … their description say Mullen, but the picture shows a straight mouth piece.

If you have any other leads, I’d appreciate it!

I’ve always assumed that a Mullen would be gentler than a low port curb. If I can’t find a Mullen mouthpiece, would a low curb port be preferable to a straight bar mouthpiece? (I assume a low curb port would be better … but please correct me if I’m wrong!)

[Daisydonk]

A low port allows some room for the tongue whereas a straight bar sits on the tongue, so a low port can be milder on a thick tongued horse.

[horsegeeks]

That’s what I suspected … THANKS for the confirmation. If I can’t find a Mullen, I’ll get a low port mouthpiece.

THANKS!

[sk_pacer]

The design of this bit precludes a true mullen mouth as the bit is reversible. You can use it with the grooved side or the smooth side of the mouthpiece against the tongue. I know, I used to have one eons ago until some dirty dog stole it.

[goodhors]

I have never seen the Elbow bit offered with a mullen or arch mouthpiece. However you could buy a size larger than she needs, have the bit mouth reworked by a local welder or maybe the farrier. Someone who can heat the metal to reshape the mouthpiece into what you want. With a mullen you need more length to go upward, so bit width needs to be wider to prevent making the mouthpiece too thin in stretching it.

A true mullen would just need the port area raised and widened over tongue. Worker needs to leave a short straight part from sides for across her bars, then raise the center. Arch mouth starts going up from the bit sides, so mouthpiece is angled across the bars with wide area across her tongue area. Lots of folks classify the arch and mullen as the same bit mouthpiece, yet this is incorrect.

You might want to check the horse for low upper palate before you invest much in a higher mouthpiece. Lots of drafts have the thick tongue AND the low palate, which limits what mouth their bits can have for comfort to the horse. I SURE would NOT use any of the straight bar mouths on such a horse, just mashes the tongue down with curb pressure.

[Thomas_1]

Is this what you’re looking for?

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCode=37753&campaign=Basefeed

Also here in military and port:

http://www.rideanddrive.co.uk/bitsuk/pages/morebit1.htm

I’ve got a box full!

[Drive_NJ]

The millitary cheek piece has never been a really popular look.

When we started driving it was one of the options but basically (like the liverpool and buxton) came with the straight/reversible mouth or the low port

the variety of bit mouths blossomed about the same time as the butterfly or post cheeks grew in popularity.

The military is still not a popular bit, so I’d guess you will have a hard time finding a variety of mouths. The bit makers arent putting effort into a bit that people dont buy

Have you tried bit guards to help prevent the horse from mouthing the rein - not sure at all that would work

When a horse is determined to mouth something, its awfully hard to keep what he want OUT of the mouth

Our Cooper’s bridleing technique includes pulling the curb chain out of his mouth several times while I buckle up the throat and chin straps, and he has gotten a rein, on occasion

[horsegeeks]

Thomas, I wish someone was near by with your box of driving bits! The worst thing about driving in my area is that there are no places near by with any kind of selection of driving equipment. Unfortunately, I’m developing my own bit box!

Drive NJ,
I’d thought about a bit guard … but hate the way they look.

THANKS for all the advice!!!

[horsegeeks]

[QUOTE=goodhors;4971964]
I have never seen the Elbow bit offered with a mullen or arch mouthpiece.

Lots of drafts have the thick tongue AND the low palate, which limits what mouth their bits can have for comfort to the horse. I SURE would NOT use any of the straight bar mouths on such a horse, just mashes the tongue down with curb pressure.[/QUOTE]

Goodhors,

What mouthpiece have you found effective with drafts? I’ve been using a French Link snaffle with Cinnamon … but it looks like she’ll need more control. I’ve never liked the straight bar bits … they look like they’d be uncomfortable for any horse!

We’re using a Glory on another draft … and she loves it. However, Sasha has an very light mouth … and more willing disposition than Cinnamon. :sigh:

[Quelah]

The military elbow is a very popular style in the draft ring. I’ve just gotten back from the 6 up world championship at Calgary, 17 6’s in the ring. Yes, 102 hooked hitch horses lined up in the ring at the end. Took some doing on the part of the ring stewards and the drivers to fit them in, made a shopping center on Christmas Eve look tame, but they did it. I would say at least 80% of the horses were wearing military elbow bits.

FWIW, when I got my new to me gelding, he had been being driven in a straight bar mouth elbow bit. I thought a mullen or arch mouth will be better, give him more room for his tongue. And he fussed and fussed and I put him back in what he’d been in and he’s happy as a clam. So really it’s the horse, and not us, who says what is right and what is comfortable.

[horsegeeks]

WOW!

THANKS for the information. I may buy both a straight and low port military elbow bit and see how she does. We’re rather working blind on her past history and having to feel our way along with what she knows and doesn’t know.

But knowing that a draft went successfully in a straight bar is reassuring! I’d only seen the straight bars used on Hackney Ponies … but that was umpteen years ago.

[MSP]

Try this site, they have a nice selection of Myler draft bits

http://www.shipshewanaharness.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_h.asp?idCategory=506

I love the Myler comfort design and they have the set back cheek and a wide port with a roller.

[horsegeeks]

Just an update. We got a Military Elbow bit in yesterday. Its a low port to give Cinnamon some tongue relief.

Talk about a miracle bit! Cinnamon couldn’t get her tongue far enough out to get the reins. She actually seemed happier in that bit than her gentler French Link snaffle.

I was able to use very little pressure to get a response. So I can be much lighter in her mouth than I could to get her to pay attention to me before.

When I was driving before there was a very limited selection of mouth pieces … many either illegal in the divisions I was competing in or so sever I refused to use them. I’m thrilled to see all the options available now … it makes it much easier on the horse’s mouth.

I appreciate all the advice I’ve gotten here … its been EXTREMELY helpful!

THANKS!
Rita