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Expert
Posts: 1477
  
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | My mare is 10 and she's ran in a Mullen mouth since she was trained but she's to the point where she needs more turn/bend. I know very little about bits. She's still very soft mouthed just needs a little more help. I borrowed a Myler bit but it's rained everyday so I haven't been able to try it. | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
 
Location: North Dakota | TessBelle - 2017-06-06 10:58 AM My mare is 10 and she's ran in a Mullen mouth since she was trained but she's to the point where she needs more turn/bend. I know very little about bits. She's still very soft mouthed just needs a little more help. I borrowed a Myler bit but it's rained everyday so I haven't been able to try it. As far as mouthpieces go, more joints=more bend. That's a general rule, of course, since every horse has their preferences. From least to most bend, you have mullen mouth, mylers, single joints, double joints and "dog bone"/french link, waterford, chain.
Another thing to consider, since you said your mare is light mouthed, is the number of contact points the mouthpiece has. Bits with twisted wire mouthpieces, waterfords, and chains, all have lots of bumps and ridges that create more concentrated pressure than just a smooth mouthpiece. That's not necessarily bad, just keep in mind that the more uneven the surface of the mouthpiece is, the lighter and quieter you must be with your hands. Especially "see-sawing" the bit back and forth in the horse's mouth or pulling back with both hands quickly can be extremely painful. **not that there is EVER a reason to do that with ANY bit**
In your case, I think trying the myler, since you already have it, would be a good first step! If that isn't doing it for you, I would go to a single or double jointed bit. Waterfords and chains are rarely necessary. You can google a lot more info on them if you want.
As for cheek pieces, you didn't mention what you use, but use the least amount of leverage you can comfortably control your horse in. I like snaffles, especially for slow work, but if you need to step up the control, a short shank would be my next step. Carol Goostree, Brittany Pozzi, and Professional's choice "futurity" line all have good options for moving up from a snaffle and on.
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2017-06-06 2:00 PM
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I think the Myler may be a nice one to start with as far as trying things. I personally love the hinge port mouthpiece and have it from several different makers....Ed Wright, Tom Balding, Myler, etc. | |
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 Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | What shank is on the Myler? I love a mullen. Put it in your hand and pull. Then do the same experiment with a chain, twisted wire, lifesaver, and regular two piece snaffle. See which one pinches the hell out of your hand in the middle and corners where the bit attaches to shank. Then make your choice. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| Herbie - 2017-06-06 4:31 PM
I think the Myler may be a nice one to start with as far as trying things. I personally love the hinge port mouthpiece and have it from several different makers....Ed Wright, Tom Balding, Myler, etc.
My little mare loves a hinge port I am ordering one that is a little more barrel race friendly as the only one I have now is more of a reiner bit longer shanked but she rides so nice in it and she has hated most everything. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1477
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | CanCan - 2017-06-06 11:58 PM
What shank is on the Myler? I love a mullen. Put it in your hand and pull. Then do the same experiment with a chain, twisted wire, lifesaver, and regular two piece snaffle. See which one pinches the hell out of your hand in the middle and corners where the bit attaches to shank. Then make your choice.
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