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Tongue over the Bit!

Louise wrote to us with the following query

I have got a 15.2hh welsh cob mare on half loan who is ridden in an eggbut snaffle, she puts her tongue over the bit and also manages to get the bit rings in to her mouth when ridden. she has had her teeth checked recently. she also has a tendancy to be on her forehand. do i need to change her bit? i dont want to cover up the problem by simply using a flash attachment.

Louise

Ken Perrin gives his response.

Hi Louise,

Initially there are two points which we are not aware of, one being the age of this mare and the second, who actually checked her teeth? were they worked on? and what the result of this check was?

A horse putting its tongue over the bit can be caused by many different elements, one being a habit picked up from young when possibly it didn't have its teeth checked regularly and another being a problem in the back, neck or poll. The horse could be uncomfortable somewhere - even down to saddle fit.

The second question asked by Louise is that this mare has a tendancy to be on her forehand. In this instant, yes it may be wise to change her bit and use a French Link Loose Ring. The loose ring action being to lift the head up into the hands and thus enabling the horse to engage from behind rather than pull itself along from the front. The French Link action being kinder than a single jointed which could cause the bit to jab into the roof of the mouth which in turn would encourage this mare to again put her tongue over the bit.

Neither Ken nor I are in favour of 'flash nosebands' and were very please to read that Louise does not wish to resort to one. This may only enhance problems and a determined animal will still manage to put its tongue over a bit even with its mouth tied shut. So, please, try to stay clear of one of these bits of equipment.

Of course, a No Bit Bridle would solve your problem immediately. Without anything in the mares' mouth at all, she would have nothing to fight and it could be a very good way of breaking the habit - if this is what it is. The No Bit Bridle can be used on any age horse and we are having a great deal of success with this. Having just backed our own youngster in one, I find it much better for schooling and, of course, long reining. Our young horse is just 4 and being 17.1hh ID/TB he is very powerful and strong willed. In the No Bit Bridle he is forward going and very responsive, learning to respond to leg and seat aids rather than relying on his mouth.

I hope this information is of use to you but, as always, should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch - and GOOD LUCK!

Kind regards

Ken & Penny

www.nobitbridle.co.uk