For whatever reason, my mare doesn’t like most metal bits. I have tried several different metal types without much luck. She chomps non stop, puts her tongue over the bit, or throws her head way up and yawns constantly. We tried german silver, sweet iron, copper, myler style, and several different mouth and cheek piece types. I switched her to a rubber bit, and it did really well for about a year. Then she learned what stretching down was, and was constantly leaning against the bit to put her head down, or just leaning against it in general. I switched her to a Happy Mouth bit and all of those issues pretty much went away. I got my Happy Mouth in October, and a week ago notice a huge chunk missing out of it. Called Happy Mouth, and they are calling it regular wear a tear. VERY disappointed as my mare was very quiet and responsive in this bit. I am not super gun-ho on forking over $60 every 4 months for a bit. Does anybody have any suggestion for something I may not have thought of?
I’m assuming you have already had the teeth done and checked that the bit size is appropriate, because it is odd for a chunk to go missing, but it is certainly not unheard of. Shoot, it wasn’t that long ago that they were recalling the happy mouths that were snapping–What about the Nathe bits? Not too dissimilar from the Happy Mouth bits, but in my experience they have been more durable.
Yeah, all the usual things have been checked, teeth, health, etc.
I was looking at the Nathe bits a bit, but they only seem to come in an o-ring mullen mouth?
They have a ton of options–I don’t love the look of the yellow, but at least you can’t see that part when it is in their mouth hahaha!
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/section.php?xSec=42&xPage=1
Yikes, those are quite a bit more pricey than I was thinking they were. Not sure how I feel about the yellow part, is it just hard plastic?
I wish leather bits were acceptable. Though we might have the same problem with leaning against a mullen mouth.
I would give the mullen mouth a try. I had a mare that was super selective about what I put in her mouth. In desperation, I tried a double bridle. (She was just schooling 3rd level at the time so it wasn’t too premature.) She went pretty well in that and seemed happy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t show her in it. I switched to a mullen mouth and voila! She seemed to think she had the curb in there and it made all the difference.
Now - that said, sounds like your horse is objecting to the metal more than anything. You might try the Nathe mullen mouth. I know, I know, you are trying not to spend a fortune on bits you aren’t going to use, but sometimes it’s just a Sherlock Holmes mystery until you find what works. 
Good luck!
If your horse was very happy in a Happy Mouth, I’d get another one. I found a couple on the Facebook sale pages, lightly used for around $25! Maybe the one you had was a fluke? There are also some brands that look/feel like Happy Mouths, but made by another company. Maybe give one of those a try as well…
The Nathe bits aren’t as sturdy as the Happy Mouth, IME.
I do love the feel of the Nathe or HS Duo bits. Nothing else quite like them. Wish they weren’t so pricey.
A plain metal mullen may be worth a shot. They’re not spendy and it won’t get damaged.
There’s a dressage legal bit that has rubber over the center piece
https://www.smartpakequine.com/mobile/pt/10842?utm_source=cpc&utm_medium=google&utm_content=shopping&utm_campaign=nb_shopping_tes&utm_term=20842
I’ve used it at recognized shows and got an email from the td to support its legality from usef. My horse loves this bit!!
There’s a dressage legal bit that has rubber over the center piece
https://www.smartpakequine.com/mobile/pt/10842?utm_source=cpc&utm_medium=google&utm_content=shopping&utm_campaign=nb_shopping_tes&utm_term=20842
I’ve used it at recognized shows and got an email from the td to support its legality from usef. My horse loves this bit!!
Lusolov - which group did you find those on? Most of the ones I have seen that aren’t super beat up were pretty close to full price.
SzIICo - hm, that’s an interesting one.
I am thinking that I might try copper again since the middle of my Happy Mouth was copper.
I’ve found Happy Mouths on Facebook pages:
Eventing Horses and Tack For Sale
English/Dressage Tack Auctions
Dressage Tack Trader
English Tack Trader
Used Hunter/Jumper/Dressage Tack and Clothes
English Tack Exchange
Hunter/Jumper Tack for Sale or Trade
I bought a Nathe
My mare is incredibly fussy and metal bits make her anxious. She clanks the bit around in her mouth, hangs out her tongue, shakes her head, etc. In metal bits. I’m trying the nathe this morning and ill let you know how we make out!
Whatever bit you choose, definitely shop around. Ebay, facebook etc. I decided on a Neue Schule bit and everywhere in the US wanted $130 plus shipping. I found it on ebay for $89 including shipping.
Find the bit that she does not dislike, and is comfortable wearing.
The leaning is an entirely different issue. There was recently an active thread on the subject.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?508060-Exercises-to-lighten-the-horse-who-leans
Update on the nathe
My horse LOVED it! She was still a little bit mouthy with it but for the first time ever she really accepted and worked INTO the contact instead of trying to duck behind it…2 thumbs up!
My horse LOVED it! She was still a little bit mouthy with it but for the first time ever she really accepted and worked INTO the contact instead of trying to duck behind it…2 thumbs up!
Awesome! Which kind did you get? The mullen kind seems more readily available, especially used, but I don’t know if a mullen will just encourage the running through it that we have with a plain rubber bit.
Whatever bit you choose, definitely shop around. Ebay, facebook etc. I decided on a Neue Schule bit and everywhere in the US wanted $130 plus shipping. I found it on ebay for $89 including shipping.
I am the queen of shopping around! Neue Schule is another brand that I wouldn’t mind trying, but I haven’t had much luck finding one for less than new prices.
I have the Mullen. She has a really soft mouth and if she tries to run through my aids in any bitbi make her do some lateral work until she is soft again. The difference was pretty dramatic!
PSA: Mullen mouths with bumps/ridges are not USDF legal, have to be smooth.
So, I rode her today in my elevator that I bought for hunting, and she went really really well. She does good in a boucher too, but they aren’t western dressage legal. Any ideas on a bit that works like an elevator, but is going to be dressage legal?
