Looking for bit or hackamore suggestions. Background on the horse:

Dexter is a 13-year-old gelding. This is the second summer I've ridden him; he's been on the barrels about 5-6 months in that period of time. He'll never be a 1D horse (or at least I don't think so) but I'm enjoyed teaching an old dog new tricks and he's a fun horse to ride. He's not automatic on the barrels yet and is still "waiting on me" to let him know what to do. He's a smaller horse than I'm used to (14.2-14.3 hands) and has a quick catty front end. He tries real hard to do what you ask and always tries to please.

I'm struggling to find the right headgear for him. I know the people we bought him from were very "rough" with him (to put it gently) so I'm actually surprised how soft and sensitive his mouth is. For most of our riding, he seems to like this bit the best. It's just a cheap bit I got from horse.com   I've tried a few other bits I have on hand, but I keep going back to this one because he seems to like it the best. And it's plenty of whoa for him, no problem.   He doesn't like gag bits and doesn't like a plain snaffle bit. Maybe something to do with how it applies pressure to the corner of his mouth?

**Note that his teeth have been done yearly every spring since we bought him in at the very end of 2016. I don't think he had ever had his teeth done before because he still had his wolf teeth when we took him in the first time. Poor guy.

He used to be really noodly when you went to one hand ( which he's gotten so much better on) so I was using a Little S Hack on him at the end of last year which he seemed to be doing really well with, and helped stiffen him up a bit. And he seemed happier in the hack, for how soft/sensitive he is. This year, now that I am asking him to try to go a little faster on the pattern, it's like the Little S is not "fast enough" to cue him, if that makes sense. He so danged quick on his feet by the time he makes a move in one direction and I try to cue to help him, it's too late (of course it could just be that I"m too late in general).

I switched back the last couple runs to using his cheapo bit and I like how he feels a lot better, because I can get that instant quick cue to his mouth, but lordy I can't stand it when I see this mouth gaping in our pictures. He doesn't do it all the time, but if he does it is only towards the end of the turn. I don't even notice he's doing it during the run because it doesn't feel like he's ignoring me or anything. But there's clearly something he's not liking if he's putting his head up and gaping like that.

I really only have experience with a Little S Hack. Are there other hacks that are "quicker" in terms of the signal? He doesn't gape his mouth at all when I'm using the Little S Hack.

I'm open to trying different bits too, but I'm kinda leaning toward thinking he's ultimately going to be happier in a hack??

Here's a run I have on video from a couple weeks ago at a local playday using the bit. (Please excuse my rider error and miscommunication at the 3rd barrel -- my fault). At the jackpots with 70-ish runners, he usually in the 4D but has snuck into the middle of the 3D a few times.

Here's a run from earlier this year, with the hack. One of his "faster" runs we've had this year. And maybe it's not the hack that's cueing late ..... (aka ME!!)  Maybe I just need to go back to the hack and get my booty and gear and get with him. He's so much smaller and quicker than I'm used to riding (used to the big long-strided ones)

I don't see a whole lot of issue with either.  He's not head shaking at all.  On the second run, you can see in the slow mo that you didn't cue him at all at first with your hands.  Your hand was forward the whole time, there was no lift or anything.  I'm glad he turns that well with just your weight!  

I would try a slightly longer shank if he likes the shanked bit, maybe a chain mouth just for a touch more feel.  The short one, based on the pic - the video was too far away to see much - is very light.  That light bit when running isn't enough for him unless you're really on his head.  A slightly longer shank will give you just a little more feel at speed. 

A Jim Warner hack might be too much as light as he is.  I wouldn't change too much, just a little more help at first and more weight/feet from you at 2nd and 3rd. 

What other mouthpieces have you tried?

i agree with the longer shank as long as you can be lighter with your hands.

He might get along ok in the chain. I would also try a 2 piece - sometimes the pushing against the bit is because of the tongue pressure.  I have a cowbred who is soft in the face and rides best in ported bits for dry work and roping.  We run in a 2 piece CM44.

Right; he's not head shaking but some of the pictures are catching the "gaping mouth".

I'm horrible at "preparing" for turns, LOL, and that's all on me. And then I end up late. Yes, he's super sensitive and listens so well in general. He's the type of horse that you NEVER have to kick. All you need is light pressure with your calf or change your seat and he's listening. (I love it!)

I do have a longer shanked bit that also has a double jointed mouthpiece; kind of similar to what I've been using. I could try that.

I don't have a Jim Warner but is it "more strong" than a Little S b/c of the straighter shanks?

Would a Bozo hack function similar to the Little S ???

I'm trying to remember if I've tried a single jointed mouthpiece on him. If I did, it has been a while and he's certainly "changed" as far as how he is riding. I've got one I could try on him.

I've never had a bit with a chain mouthpiece before, so truthfully I don't know much about them, but I guess I've always read they can be good for a more sensitive type horse.

Recently, I've tried a Jr. Cowhorse with a dogbone center and I've tried an O-ring snaffle with a dogbone center. With those I felt like I had to "pull" more on him for turn and for whoa, which just isn't him so I don't think he liked how it felt. I can ride him in the snaffle for other things (like when we are messing around with English) and it is okay there but just not for barrel racing work.