Biting help

[minx]

Hi Ladies....

Need some advice, although I have had horses since I was 7! ( 23 years) I have never had a horse in anything other than a snaffle or french link! Just never needed to or never had a horse have a biting problem...so very inexperianced when it comes to bits.

I bought Sam a month ago he is 4, he drives as well, when I tried him he was in a snaffle but would not accept the contact and had mouth issues! Throwing his head an mouth around. His owner said, he had always done it and that in his driving bit he is fine.

(No wolf teeth btw)

For the trial week I used someones elses tack that fitted him, and put him in a rubber pelham , thinking the straight bar would be more like his driving bit, he hates it and is back to shaking his head and puling his head around etc. I think the rubber bit is too big for his mouth,

So... what to try next? I have been out and bought a dutch jointed gag in a sweet iron to encourage him to mouth the bit, I need some breaks with him really as I have 3000 acres and no school, big open fields he needs some breaks in. I have also ordered a gag in a happy mouth....

I used roundings on the pelham and have a very light contact and ususally can ride on the buckle on roads etc. I promise I am not hard on his mouth but just need to find something he is happy with,

I have been told to try this sweet iron gag with a flash and see how we go...

Any advice or suggestions very welcome

[harleydales]

I always start youngsters in a French Link Full Cheek snaffle - they seem to like it and the cheeks help with the steering.

A lot of babies play with the bit and do a lot of 'yawing' (for want of a better word!) with their heads and mouths while they get used to the different sort of contact. I usually leave them to it and maintain a soft light contact and use voice as much as anything else to halt etc.

If after several months they are still too faffy with the bit a loose flash strap does help.

Your lad is still relatively young, I'm sure he'll settle down in time.

[minx]

Thanks for the advice, Sam was broken when he was 2 ( I know..not by me I might add) so has been used to the bit for a while now, do you think it still will be just getting used to it or a sign he hates the pelham?

[minx]

Thanks for the reply Sky, when I tried him he was in a snaffle and would not accept that contact at all, thats why I moved to the pelham.

The gag I have bought ( sweet iron) is very fine, thats why i bought it thinking his mouth is too small for the pelham.

I was told the driving bit was a straight bar? but he has a very soft mouth, he tends to go on voice commands and is very genuine as even with him avoiding the contact completely he does as he is asked

It does not help that I dont understand the way bits work and what does what action etc... dumb ass arnt I!

[SuzieP]

If you want to use a pelham what about a Happy Mouth. I've got Bea in one and he's very happy in it! The mouthpiece isn't as thick as the rubber or vulcanite pelham, but you get the same action. I agree with Grace - roundings are a bit of a blunt instrument really. Better to use two reins if you can.

The gag will cause him to lift his head and hollow his back - not what you want really.

Have you had his teeth and mouth checked by an equine dentist (not vet)?

[minx]

Thanks for the reply, I am a dumb ass when it comes to bits!

I have been out and bought a Full check french link as recommended by harleydales, but not ridden him yet as the weather has been bad. I have also ordered a happy mouth pelham on your suggestion SusieP,

I will return the sweet iron gag

Roundings and two reins, can you explain to me the differance and benefits anyone?

My father in law said the same thing, that I should have two reins and said they have just gone out of fashion but I should really use them... so looking to know why...

And yep, dentist did his teeth about a week before I took him home...and vet checked his mouth on the vetting whe I raised the issue...

[sck1]

I have been happier with a pelham and Blue seems happier too - I don't think he has alot of room in his mouth and he does alot of head-shaking with the snaffle so I might try a happy mouth straight bar snaffle. I am seriously considering trying out a bitless bridle - Dr Cook to see if he likes that. Does anyone have experience of them?

[Debbie]

He might very well be objecting to the joint in the snaffle, it might be rising too high in his mouth and jamming into his upper palate. Did he like the straight driving bit? You might be able to find a bit similar to that.

Also I don't mean to frighten, but you need some place to test your boy out with the new bit first. The different bits have different feels to them. The curb action will be new on a pelham if he hasn't had one before. If you could have some form of a school where he could have boundaries to work out the new bit in, it would be better. Is there a riding instructor or a school nearby that you could rent til you get this sussed??

[JoM]

I have found bitting is a complete trial and error thing! I must have gone through hundreds over my years with dancer. And read up on oodles!!

We now are in a new style hanging cheek french link with a central revolving middle, which he goes brilliantly in.

www.shop4bits.com/item--Eldonian-by-Jeffries-Revolver-Hanging-Cheek-with-Lozenge--BICR56.html

A straight bar pelham for schooling, and a rugby pelham for showing.

I have found that he will take anything with a double joint, like the french link, or a straight bar. He will not co-operate at all with anything ported -and i mean at all! Head in the air and running backward - and it was called a schooling bit! LOL Only schooling us in the art of hgh speed reverse!

I try buy all my bits off ebay or borrow to see if they work, so its minimum expense.

A gag will only cause him to elevate his head like SuzieP said.

I think you may have to just keep swopping out until you find one he accepts - happy mouths are always a nice bit as they are more inviting than cold steel, especailly for a young pony - everything was happy mouth for D until he as about 6 or 7.