That perfect, soft greenie bit...? Help!

[Tiramit]

Hey everyone,

No, this isn’t a continuation of the over-bitting babies thread, but rather a request for help!

Problem: My young, EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TB mare has a thing against bits, and I need to find the softest bit ever created. Something small in diameter, very smooth, and SOFT. Basically, if I could, I’d ride her in a Fruit Roll-up…

If the bit moves just a little bit in her mouth, she throws up her head and stiffins. I’ve tried all sorts of snaffles, from very thick hollow mouthed loose rings, to thin mouthed and even rubber covered (and some pelhams), but I think that she has a small mouth (still a 5", just a big tongue?), and that medium-large mouthed bits are just too big. She also hates the snaffle part, so I’ve tried mullen mouthed, and I think that may be the ticket. Problem is, she doesn’t like the feel of metal or any kind of ridge (yes, she can be a little bit of a princess), so the Happy Mouth bits are out (unless they make a smooth, small mouthed one?). She also hates the taste of rubber.

And before anyone asks, I have had her checked out by a vet (he’s said she’s in great shape) and have tried a light hackamore (just plods along), but am worried that she’ll freak out with a mechanical (she hates the fuss). Also, I ride with pretty soft, unobtrusive hands, so I know that I’m not popping her in the mouth.

Bottom line is that she’s VERY good most of the time, but if I put more than a hint of pressure on the reins she reacts. It’s been suggested that I need to tie her head in with side reins and let her get over her little problem, but she is so sweet, hardworking and honest, I’d hate to make her mean or sour. Oh, and she’s not uncontrollable, just throws her head (I don’t want her in a martingale the rest of her life either). I’ve put a lot of training into her, and she will move up to the bit, but if something changes just a micrometer, the head flies…

I’ll be in D.C. later this week - any suggestions of where / what I can try?

[VTrider]

Tiramet - I got my bit at a local tack store here in Richmond, Virginia. It is kind of a generic brand (Dublin - never heard of it). Very cheap. Let me know if you would like the store’s phone number and I will email it to you.

[Tiramit]

Very interesting. I’m going to have to try a tack store somewhere out of town, because it’s hard to find things here, and I want to check out everyone’s ideas! It would be nice to put my hands on a bit (rather than order from a tiny picture) and make sure it feels ok. I like the ideas you all are suggesting - the drool like a puppy especially ! As for wrapping bits, I long ago thought it’d be great if someone would invent a flavored “sleeve” for bits (rather than have to wrap all the time) - has someone done that yet? If not, the idea’s patented, so no funny moves !

JB, yup, she’s 5 and her teeth are fine. Actually, she’s going to be checked out again on Friday, but I don’t think it’s a mouth thing since she’s so sensitive everywhere else. Just a thin-skinned female TB… Good thing she’s a cool horse!

Ash - don’t know about Dublin / Weatherbeeta. Finally, a catalog I don’t have!

[Tiramit]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cactuskate:
Kate works fine, call me anything but late for dinner you know.
Sounds like you are in for the years of de-programming, de-sensitizing or what ever. It’s a slow process but I think eventually they come around, My guy hated to be groomed, but with the softer implements and that neat short “toothed” rubber brush, he begs to be groomed. Also has gotten very receptive to contact, saddling all that good, being a horse, stuff.
Good luck.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Aww. There goes my next plan - dinner at 2:00 am?

You aren’t kidding about the de-sensitizing… I finally got her to stop kicking when I brush her hindquarters! Now she just holds her head sideways and looks at me with a tortured look. Of course, I use a very soft horse hair brush, so it’s really not that tough.

[Tiramit]

Hi Speedracer - definitely! I have a feeling this is going to be an evolutionary process during which I will spend vast amounts of money searching for the bit that most satisfies her highness… It won’t hurt to try different things - especially since these are all easy bits.

Glad to know Bronte’s not alone. How old was yours when she finally shed over-sensitivity? This one goes a little overboard - she’s like riding a very thin tightrope!

Thanks!

[Tiramit]

Hey everyone,

No, this isn’t a continuation of the over-bitting babies thread, but rather a request for help!

Problem: My young, EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TB mare has a thing against bits, and I need to find the softest bit ever created. Something small in diameter, very smooth, and SOFT. Basically, if I could, I’d ride her in a Fruit Roll-up…

If the bit moves just a little bit in her mouth, she throws up her head and stiffins. I’ve tried all sorts of snaffles, from very thick hollow mouthed loose rings, to thin mouthed and even rubber covered (and some pelhams), but I think that she has a small mouth (still a 5", just a big tongue?), and that medium-large mouthed bits are just too big. She also hates the snaffle part, so I’ve tried mullen mouthed, and I think that may be the ticket. Problem is, she doesn’t like the feel of metal or any kind of ridge (yes, she can be a little bit of a princess), so the Happy Mouth bits are out (unless they make a smooth, small mouthed one?). She also hates the taste of rubber.

And before anyone asks, I have had her checked out by a vet (he’s said she’s in great shape) and have tried a light hackamore (just plods along), but am worried that she’ll freak out with a mechanical (she hates the fuss). Also, I ride with pretty soft, unobtrusive hands, so I know that I’m not popping her in the mouth.

Bottom line is that she’s VERY good most of the time, but if I put more than a hint of pressure on the reins she reacts. It’s been suggested that I need to tie her head in with side reins and let her get over her little problem, but she is so sweet, hardworking and honest, I’d hate to make her mean or sour. Oh, and she’s not uncontrollable, just throws her head (I don’t want her in a martingale the rest of her life either). I’ve put a lot of training into her, and she will move up to the bit, but if something changes just a micrometer, the head flies…

I’ll be in D.C. later this week - any suggestions of where / what I can try?

[Tiramit]

Janet - I actually did debate a French link, but she’s so strange about anything “touching” her, that I opted for the mullen mouth. I may try one in the future, as long as I can find one thin enough - most of the ones I’ve seen have been too thick. This is easily the most sensitive horse I’ve ever been around - she has fleece on everything and every kind of guard out there. The only thing I can’t buffer is the bit…

Rosie - is your Happy Mouth ridged, or smooth? I hadn’t thought about the waterfall bit, but I’ll look at one at the shops. Wish I had my old bit collection, but my tack room was broken into, so I’ve had to slowly add back to my collection. Sigh.

VTRider - YES! Richmond will be right around the corner for me and I’d love to see their bit collection!

Thank You!

[Jair]

I was just about to bring up the Herm Sprenger bit myself. They are called KK bits and are made out of a metal called Aurigan which is some combination of silver and copper and someting else, but they react with the horse’s saliva thus making them foam more in the mouth therfore encouraging them to mouth the bit indepentantly which is what you want. They have a “bean” type joint in the middle that is sort of crecent moon shaped and has been apparently designed to fit perfectly with the countours of the horse’s mouth. They are a bit expensive, but come in many different thinknesses, including a small bridoon for the double bridle.

I wasn’t sure about them myself until I tried it on my sensitive Selle Francais gelding who didn’t like too much pressure either - but boy does he like this bit! He actually takes the bit going towards jumps now, and is much happier in dressage as well.

[This message has been edited by Jair (edited 08-29-2000).]

[BostonBanker]

I’ll second (or third or fourth) the vote for trying the KK bits. Many of the horses in my barn go in them. Along with the eggbutt, they also now produce a very classy looking D-ring, which Tristan will be sporting whenever we make our way to the hunter ring. Best of luck with your mare (and thanks for making me appreciate my “dumb-blooded” gelding a LOT! )

[Cactuskate]

BostonBanker-Where does on find the Dee? Is it in a catalog, I hope. We are hoping to cross over from the dressage ring to the hunter world too. Got to dress the part you know, even if you can’t play the game.LOL. Since we are in “the middle of nowhere desert” I do alot of shopping by mail.
Thanks.

[HN73]

I don’t know as far as what, but the Saddlery Liquidators in Haymarket has all their bits priced at $15.00.
www.saddleryonline.com

[Indy]

I second the sugestion for the Waterford (not Waterfall ) bit. It’s my bit of choice for just about everything - it’s mild, doesn’t pinch, and it gives them something to play with and soften their mouth. I only wish I could find one smaller than 5"…

[Cactuskate]

These Sprenger bits can be found in both the Dover catalog and I believe Stateline. Will often find them on the dressage bit pages. They do make one as an egg-butt rather than loose ring, a bit more acceptable in the H/J world I would guess. I think mine is 18mm. Not the fattest, but still very soft. They are pricey, I think I paid 85.00 or so, but worth every penny. Never guessed I would pay that much for a bit.

My dressage instincts force me to add, are you sure your mare’s fussy-ness with her face is all about bitting? Or are you buying in too her not “wanting” that much contact? I speak from both sides of the fence(H/J and dressage), not that we should be apart. I seem to hear alot of “He doesn’t like it when I take a feel of his mouth” from many H/J people. Don’t take me wrong, but I think if given the “choice” they wouldn’t have us put the saddle on either and just leave them alone to play in the paddock. My point being, sometimes WE have to endure putting them in the position of a new and uncomfortable frame temporarily for the sake of the result in the end. That would be a willing and connected horse and rider team. The side reins idea can be good if you start very long and let her figure out the contact, then when relaxed about the “restraint” start going a hole at a time shorter while making her work at the end of the line.

My gosh, I guess I can fall off the soap box now. It can get so involved huh? Don’t we just love them though?

[Kellybird]

OOPS! That thumbs-down thing should be a thumbs up; I’m really not mad!

OK, by no means an expert here, but my humble suggestions would be: A HS bit, probably one of the “bean-center” jointed ones; a french link with a small joint; a latex/Sealtex-wrapped Waterford (lightly wrapped) so it’s still floppy, but not “squeaky” floppy, and if she hates the rubber taste, use some bit sprayI’ve seen it in tack shops and a few catalogs: it’s spray that comes in different flavors like molasses, apple, etc. to spray on bits for horses who don’t readily accept the bitor just a plain, thin, mullen-mouth Happy mouth–the flavored plastic-y type rubber ones? Or just the “rubber band” bit?

OK, enough of my ramblings, good luck!
Kelly

[This message has been edited by Kellybird (edited 08-29-2000).]

[speedracer]

Mikey was about 7 (so last year) when she finally decided bits weren’t completely evil. Now she goes in a full cheek snaffle or a regular snaffle-mouthed 3-ring when we jump. So don’t worry, your slow and steady training will eventually help your mare get over her bit-snits, as we used to call them.

I can’t find the bit guy’s name anywhere. But AHC bought a bit from him–I’m sure she’d be happy to send you the name after Labor Day.

Good luck!

[VTrider]

I ride my horse in basically a thick rubber band - It is like a happy mouth, but way softer - I can bend it in half with my hands. It is made by a company called Dublin and is cheap! I love it!

[Tiramit]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kath:
[B]I second the sugestion for the Waterford (not Waterfall ) bit. B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ha ha! I thought that sounded a little different - I’m a little slow today !

[DMK]

I tried a waterford (I like waterfall better!) in my horse who really hates a fatter bit, but has a super soft mouth (not sensitive about it though), and he hated that bit (I was crushed… I thought it was such a neat bit).

Tiramet - I have seen that bit VTrider was describing, and I bet that is the bit you need - very soft and flexible, and narrows a bit towards center…

[AAJumper]

I was also going to suggest the french link with the “bean” center. I ride my TB in a regular french link and he goes much better in that as opposed to a regular snaffle. I have also heard of people actually wrapping a bit with a real fruit roll-up…you might consider trying that if taste is a factor.

[Jo]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rosie:
She also ended up ok with a bit I think is called a waterfall? Anyway, it has numerous little balls on the mouthpiece, and was flexible enough to give her more room for her tongue without pinching like a snaffle. Good luck.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think you mean a Waterford. I use one of those on mine when jumping and it works great. Never tried it on a baby though.