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I have a 4 yr old Section D mare that was only backed 2 months ago ( 5 days before she arrived at our yard for sale.... i had to have her!! she is my first pony!!!)

I am only riding her 2 to 3 times a week on both long and short hacks as i feel that she needs time to take in what she is learning. She is doing very well and gaining alot of confidence. I am concerned because she has started placing the bit under her tongue during our ride. This must be painful for her and unsafe whilst we are out because she will throw her head down mid canter to release it or will halt in the middle of a busy junction to adjust it! I tell myself that at least she is comfortable in traffic but I am concerned.

I have experience of youngsters but this is the first time i have come across this, what shall i do? Leave her to work out that it will hurt her? Add a flash? Change the bit ....jointed eggbutt snaffle?

HELP!!!! I want to make sure she is comfortable and happy......thanks. Mich

Dear Mich
Thank you for enquiry with regard to your 4 year old section D mare.

I am sure you are aware that bitting is only a small part of the equation and that there are no substitutes for schooling, patience and repetition. However, The Myler Bitting System can make your horse more comfortable in the mouth and provide more accurate signalling ability, allowing her to concentrate and relax into her work.
For young horses, such as yours, we offer a mouth-piece which will encourage them to go “out-to-the-end-of-the-rein”, accepting a light contact.

You mention that your horse has started to “put her tongue over the bit” - this is a resistance to tongue pressure. She is politely removing her tongue from the discomfort which, in turn, leaves you with little or no control or signalling. The Myler System will give her more space for her tongue, enabling her to swallow more freely whilst giving you the degree of control that is required.

You say that “she might work it out” - horses are trained by repetition, so for her, every time she removes her tongue she establishes a “normal” routine and unless there is a change she will continue to do this.

Your second option was to add a flash – generally a flash will only compound the problem by literally closing the horse’s mouth over the problem. In my experience the problem never goes away and generally manifests itself in some other area.

Lastly the “eggbutt” snaffle – the action in the horse’s mouth of the traditional snaffle is as follows:
1/ When rein pressure is applied both sides of the bit arc into the lower jaw until rein pressure is released.
2/ The “nutcracker” action of the joint can cause discomfort and may sometimes pickup the tongue in the joint and pinch.
3/ If you have to give the horse 4 or 5 signals to “come-back-into-the-bridle” and each time the horse is suffering discomfort, she will not recognise the signal and it is likely that the horse will “run-through-the-bridle” to get away from the problem.

Gill’s Bit Bank offers bitting advice, full fitting and transitioning instructions, a 14 day trial facility and telephone helpline for ongoing support to ensure that we are able to make a difference for you and your horse. We look for a general improvement so that you have a bit that you can school on with, knowing that your horse is comfortable and understanding what you are asking of her.

If you would like to progress with an order or you wish me to send you our brochure explaining how Gill’s Bit Bank works with more information about The Myler Bits, please do call my office and I will be happy to talk with you further, I hope that you have found the information of help.

Regards
Gill
Gill’s Bit Bank

www.gillsbitbank.co.uk