Starting this off by saying I am not the typical barrel racer and do not have a tack room full of bits. 

I brought home a new gelding late last fall. I rode him a couple times and then he sat all winter (ND winters aren't my kind of riding weather ). I've been riding him for a couple weeks now and I don't think he is a fan of the bit I have on him. He is up to date on teeth. It's hard to describe how he acts. Slight head tossing, chomping on the bit slightly. Just doesn't seem comfortable in it. He doesn't seem nervous/anxious.

Back story- I was looking to sell my mare and a lady contacted me saying she had a big gelding who her college daughter couldn't get along with and we traded straight up. He is 13 and from researching his name appears to have been successful in his younger years with his original trainer. I'm not sure where he all went from there but the seller couldn't provide me much info about his background and what head gear he prefers. 

The seller says he was running in a Sherry Cervi short shank twisted wire dog bone. I do have the same mouth piece but in a junior cowhorse, so that's what I've been trying with him. I was told that is the least liked junior cow horse by most horses ? But my mare loved it for many years. Is there a huge difference in the mechanics and feel between the Sherry Cervi vs junior cowhorse? It's hard to spend almost $100 on a bit to just try it out.

I feel I have pretty light hands when riding and have been told that by other people, so I don't think I'm pulling on him. I am not doing barrel work right now. Just trying to get used to eachother and working circles and leisure riding.

This got longer than intended, just not sure where to go to try something else for him without spending a ton of money on multiple bits.  

I would suggest talking to Charlotte and J&C Bits. She was super thorouh with me in the search for a bit for my mare. And if the bit you order doesn't work they'll exchange it and keep working with you until you've found the one. And the right size mouthpiece for your horse, my horses are all 5 1/2" mouths 

Is there a way you can contact the original owner? That's where you will get your info! Good luck ?? 

I think a three piece jr Cowhorse is the bit we use more than any other bit. It is probably a little lighter than the Cervi bit. You might try a German martingale with that bit on basics and slow work. I had a 10 year old start kind of rooting his nose and a couple of weeks with a German martingale and he was fixed. I think he has been vacationing too long. 

I think a three piece jr Cowhorse is the bit we use more than any other bit. It is probably a little lighter than the Cervi bit. You might try a German martingale with that bit on basics and slow work. I had a 10 year old start kind of rooting his nose and a couple of weeks with a German martingale and he was fixed. I think he has been vacationing too long. 

I'm not a bit expert by any means but, I think the Cervi bits are considerably heavier than the Jr. Cow Horse.  

If you can, maybe track down the person who orginally owned him or the trainer and ask what he prefered, or see if someone close to you has a cervi bit you could barrow for a while to see if he likes it before you spend the money. My barrel racer brain says buy the bit and resell if it doesn't work ha ha 

I would second this. I've been very happy with my interactions with Charlotte.