My lovely boy I got in July was always ridden in a Mullen Mouth Pelham in his H/J carreer which he retired from a couple years ago and was a puff…but now mine to learn dressage on…:winkgrin:! I have tried a French link loose ring and a HS KK loose ring Conrad Leine. and a Dr.Bristol egg butt.He does OK in them…but not really peaceful in the mouth. His previous owner says he love the pelham so I thought I would give the Happy mouth mullen mouth snaffle a try! I read that it is a legal dressage bit but I don’t think I have ever seen/known anyone use it. Is it an unfavorable choice for dressage and if so why?? Would a judge frown upon it’s use in a test?? As always, thanks in advance for any input or experience with this bit. I just want my boy to be happy!!:yes:
- only the bit checker would know you are using it
- it’s not “frowned upon” by any means, but is generally a bit just used to initiate seeking contact from a horse.
- give it a try! you may also have success with a B ring or a baucher, both of which will offer stability which may be what he’s craving.
- what are the cheek pieces on the snaffles you are using now?
IIRC, there are two styles of Happy Mouth mullen. One is legal (smooth), the other is not (the one with the bumps).
My horse prefers a mullen mouth bit; I use a Korsteel eggbutt since the Happy Mouth doesn’t come in the right size. You may want to try a metal bit if the pelham was metal and he liked it. Does your horse go better in the old bit because of the mouthpiece, or because of the curb action of a pelham?
I ride Sophie in one…and also used to ride my old eventing pony in one, even XC!
What size do you need? I have a spare
Thanks Petstore…as I said of the 3 bits I have tried, 2 are loose ring and one eggbutt…the new happy mouth is a loose ring but doesn’t seem to spin around throught the mouthpeice as loosely as it does in a metal bit…I read on another forum that it was legal then after getting one, last night I read that the happy mouth with the “lumps” are not legal!!!:eek:
…There are gentle rises in the plastic sort of like a bean pod on the one I got. I really do not have any plans of showing, but I still like to adhear to the outlines laid out by the USDF so that I am doing what is best for the training of my boy…I did also look at the Baucher and thought that it would be a good one to try…but because he was used to a mullenmouth (the thick hard plastic pelham), I thought I’ld go this way. I’m glad it’s not a least popular choice and I thought because of the white bit ends that connected to the rings that it is highly visable that it is being used. Thanks again…I’ll let you know how he likes it…I’m excited by the feed back on the other forum from people who said their horses LOVED it!:yes:
@ Henry, I have not riden him in the pelham, but the previous owner did all the time. His was a thick plastic mouth piece and had short shanks and I’m sure the owner liked the curb action to help to flex him at the poll…I wonder why the USDF conciders the Bumpy mouth one illeagal?? Doesn’t seem as though it would be harsh in any way.
@ Carol…My boy is a BIGGUN!! A 5 1/2 to a 5 3/4! Thank you if you have one that fits!
BTW – some bit brands offer a mullen mouth Baucher…
I would hardly call Sophie Miss Petite but my 3 are all 5 1/4
How about a Mullen mouth with a flash? It might be just the trick you need to keep his mouth quiet.
[QUOTE=EasyStreet;5998673]
I read that the happy mouth with the “lumps” are not legal!!!:eek:…There are gentle rises in the plastic sort of like a bean pod on the one I got. I really do not have any plans of showing, but I still like to adhear to the outlines laid out by the USDF so that I am doing what is best for the training of my boy…:yes:[/QUOTE]
How is a plain plastic bit with a couple of gentle lumps doing harm to your boy? Really, I need to know, my favorite horse has been going in such a bit for almost two years. Am I ruining him?
And why is a curb with a port legal and a snaffle with a port not?
[QUOTE=carolprudm;6001330]
And why is a curb with a port legal and a snaffle with a port not?[/QUOTE]
Best answer: ‘Because that’s the way we’ve always done it.’
Effie…I have oiled up my Flash and my dropped noseband for the “try next” options!! I noticed Dr.R. Klimke used a dropped nose band on alot of his lower level horses in training.
I would love it too if anyone does know the eplanation to the USDF ruling on this bit!!
I rode in it and he did seem a little happier…I would love to see a compedent dressage rider ride him to see if it is my hands that keep him from being soft in the poll.??? He is not heavy on the bit at all…doesn’t hang on it…except in walk/halt transitions:confused:trot/walk and canter/trot are quite nice…he just seems to be happiest to go around in a hunter frame…which as I said was his whole life career be for I got him!
I believe as my balance,seat and hand improve along with both of our fitness, I will see improvment in the throughness and therefore the conection…as long as I can Stop worrying where his head is now…keep my hands quiet and ride those hind legs more forward!:yes:
I used to show a gelding in a mullen mouth metal bit. It is perfectly legal and he went wonderfully in it, he could not handle a bit with any “breaks” as he had had a broken jaw as a younger horse
The issue I’ve had with my VERY picky TB is that he likes his HM mullen mouth Baucher. It only comes in the lumpy mouthpiece. I’ve tried all kinds of variations of other Bauchers and mullens. He likes this one. The last time I tried a different bit it was a plain rubber dogbone. He nearly chewed through it. In disgust, I just unbuckled it from the bridle and took it away. Then I held his HM in front of his nose with a few choice words. The stinkpot took the bit from me and held it in his mouth while I fastened the bridle. He made his point. I’ve searched high and low for something similar without lumps, but for all I know, that’s what he likes about it. I have found out that Neue Schule makes a Baucher in a plain rubber mullen. Don’t you know I’ll spend two hundred bucks on it, and he’ll chew it in two. OP, I hope yours settles for something easier–and cheaper.
Cute story Kninip!!:lol: I will ride again tomorrow and hope we progress towards acceptance!!..I am hoping so as a new bit anytime soon ia not in the card$!!:no:
I still would love to hear the reason that the “lumpy” HM Mullen is illegal if any one knows!!:yes:
I think we need a petition!
just something to think about: mullen mouths don’t really allow flexion requests you are not able to just address one side of the mouth.
maybe not important right now, but definitely something to think about.
[QUOTE=mbm;6002913]
just something to think about: mullen mouths don’t really allow flexion requests you are not able to just address one side of the mouth.
maybe not important right now, but definitely something to think about.[/QUOTE]
I think this is more dependent upon training. I have no difficulty with flexion requests. The horse isn’t dull enough to not recognize a slight pressure on one side of the lip. I also have no issue with lifting a shoulder.
[QUOTE=mbm;6002913]
just something to think about: mullen mouths don’t really allow flexion requests you are not able to just address one side of the mouth.
maybe not important right now, but definitely something to think about.[/QUOTE]
I think MBM means further along… Like FURTHER along in training so yes at that level it will mean something…
