After spending a week on the Oregon coast and in Portland, I came home to find my Happy Mouth bit had arrived. It was pretty much my last ditch effort to find something that Jasper doesn't stick his tongue over the top of.
Ha.
I actually stood there with my finger in his mouth holding it in place so he couldn't get his tongue over the top for at least 5 minutes. Realizing it was a battle I was not going to win I decided to go for a ride. Maybe he would figure it out.
No.
Granted, I haven't ridden for a long time. Gave his knee time to heal and went on vacation. It was one of the worst rides I've ever had. He is usually light and responsive but today he put some weight into it. Chewing and crossing his jaw. Rooting. Tongue hanging out and waving in the wind. He was so concerned about the bit he forgot how to go forward and I actually had to use a crop.
So I'm wondering if these are signs that this is NOT the bit for him, or is he figuring out that it's not comfortable to have under his tongue? I'm thinking about tying the tops of the bit rings together with a piece of leather over his nose so he can't fit his tongue between the bit and the roof of his mouth. Also, I'm pretty sure the bit is too wide. Apparently a 5" mullen mouth is not the same thing as a 5" snaffle. Oh well, at least the insides of his lips aren't being squished into his teeth.
13 comments:
My boys love Dr. Cook's bitless bridle. They definitely have happy mouths - in my pictures it looks to me like their lips are smiling! Jasper might love it.
Have you tried a low port? It works for some horses.
What fun things did you get into in Oregon? I leave on Saturday for a full week of vacation there!
I don't really think once is enough time to judge whether it works or not. I normally give it 3 rides, barring any involuntary human removal from saddle issues :)
Good luck! I too am on a bit search!
I've tried the Myler which is kind of a low port...
Oregon is fabulous! I highly recommend the coast (all of it) and Portland.
Hahaha- involuntary human removal. :)
Talk to Morgan about a Kineton noseband--i think it works on the same principle of holding the bit "up" in their mouth. She has one of her horses in one and I guess he loves it.
If you do "tie" the rings together above his nose, make sure you pad it with fleece or something--their nose bones are really fragile right there.
HEY...YOU SHOULD SEND ME YOUR ADD , I'LL SEND YOU ANOTHER BIT TO TRY...SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY ONE MORE...PLUS THE BITLESS MAY WORK TOO. I'LL SEND THAT, IF YOU'D LIKE. I HAVE 2
KK
I don't envy you the bit search. I'm going to use the Nurtual Bitless Bridle when Chrome is old enough to start. I figure I'll just skip the bit thing altogether lol! Good luck finding something that works for him.
Serena- yeah, that's what I'm trying to imitate. I figure if it works at all I'll buy a real one, though not sure from where.
Kacy- done!
a1d, thanks! I haven't tried a bitless. Doesn't seem like the control would be there...
I'm not sure about cross country, but the Nurtural is used in dressage with great success. It takes a little adjusting and some retraining, but I think it's worth it. I haven't personally tried one yet, but I've seen videos and read reviews. Check out the website when you have time. It is very different from a regular bitless bridle and offers more finesse than some others like it. I hope it works out for us, but who knows until we try it. :)
What about something with a port? Like a myler?? My horse really likes mylers.
I have a Myler. It doesn't seem much different than the French Link.
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