Toungue over the bit...

BellaEquestrian · 27-02-2010, 11:25 AM

Racers or pacers getting their tongue over the bit is a very common habit, and a common problem for riders re-educating these horses.

It can be caused through a variety of reasons. The horse may be putting his tongue over the bit to protect his palate from being hit by a single link snaffle join as it rises up in the mouth with contact. He may be trying to avoid pressure on the tongue (a mullen mouth would not be a good option if this is the case). It may be simply an indicator of stress and anticipation.

A lot of the time for whatever reason it becomes an ingrained habit, and any habit will take time to break. When you are experimenting with a new bit, allow 3 to 4 weeks work in that bit to see if there will be a change in behavior. Often you find a comfy bit, ride in it a few times and the horse continues with the habit so you try another type after a few days and the habit is allowed to continue. Patience is important.

Consider first what your aims and intentions are with this horse as it will help guide you in your choice of bits to try. It would also be worth feeling along his bars for any bone spurs or damage (lumps) and if possible, looking for bruising and discolouration on the upper palate.

Best of luck!

Anna E · 27-02-2010, 04:36 PM

What Bella Equestrian said...!
But also - many STBs for whatever reason seem to have REALLY big fat tongues. And putting the tongue over the bit and hanging it out the side seems to be a way of making room (and avoiding tongue pressure as Bella said).
For those horses a nice fat ("soft") bit is worse. My STB used to put his tongue over the bit and let it flop out the side. Looked revolting!
Switching him from a standard snaffle to a really thin loose ring sweet iron made him MUCH happier.

Bec1404 · 27-02-2010, 06:26 PM

you could also consider trying racehorse cheekers. They are rubber rings that attach to the bit and also to a strap that connects to the top of the bridle. It lifts the bit nice and high in their mouths (very different to just tightening the bridle) and usually works well. It tends to also stop them "playing" with the bit trying to get their tongue over after a while and I find that it helps to break the habit.

The tongue bit is pretty much fool-proof (although some still manage to get their tongue over one of the bits - clever critters!) but i haven't seen it break the habit. As soon as you leave it off, they go back to their old ways.

I also think a nice sweet iron would be a bit to try.

jc163041 · 28-02-2010, 08:56 AM

Hi
My ASH gets her tongue over the bit. She does it as a play thing. its a game to her getting her to tongue over and under the bit. i changed her to a mullen (straight bar bit) and she stopped straight away. Nothing to play with lol

goodie · 05-03-2010, 06:53 PM

Their is also a rubber piece that you can buy that slips over the bit

http://www.davewilsonharness.com/ton...bber-397-p.asp (just for the photo...any saddlery here can get them for you

)

Their are a couple of schools of thought on the tongue over problem when they are first broken in...one is that they will work it out and the other is to use a noseband. Being OT I am guessing he already has the bit "figured out" and it has now become a habit

So might be worth trying one of the bit pieces mentioned with a hano (or similiar noseband) to try and make it hard for him to continue his habit

Jonty3 · 05-03-2010, 08:00 PM

What sort of nose band are you using, as the horse can obviously get its mouth open to get the tounge over the bit!

Nose band?

kathera · 06-03-2010, 12:28 AM

Just ride him in a bitless bridle

I dont think it matters unless you are doing dressage, correct?

You can trial them out.. cant remember the name but its advertised in hoofbeats all the time.

silversiskan · 06-03-2010, 06:14 PM

I have an Andy Gelding that used to put his tounge over the bit when we first got him.

I changed him from a french snaffle to a thinner sweet Iron loose ring snaffle and put a cross over noseband on him. He didn't like it at first, but within a few weeks of gentle riding he got used to not being able to do it and settled into his new bridle.

I also had a pony when I was a kid and we put a thin loose ring snaffle on him and a drop noseband. I worked like a treat, but I would prefer to use the sweet iron and cross over noseband.

Good luck, it is a very frustrating problem.

silversiskan · 06-03-2010, 06:20 PM

oh, I also have a bitless that I use on my TB gelding as he hates any pressure on his mouth and he has been checked by a dentist etc etc

I was suprised how easily he adapted to it, seems a bit weird at first, but they really work well.

But remember even a bitless bridle can be very harmfull if used by the wrong hands. I have seen a horse with a huge piece taken out of its nose by a rider using a bitless bridle, it was not pretty.

leebingate · 11-03-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzen

wattle, i got that same type of bit with my boy & it made no difference at all.

tez 80, i have a spare tongue control bit like the one wattle posted. i also have a mullen mouth if you wanted to try each & see if they work before you commit to buying anything. i'm in morley/wanneroo.

i was at horseland in the holidays & a woman was in there with the exact same problem & i couldn't believe it when the assitant recommended a mechanical hackamore - the owner wanted to show. they did show a pic of the tongue controlly bit but were recommending buying the hackamore.

Thanks for your advice guys.I haven't ridden the horse yet so I will and see if he keeps getting his toungue over it.We are just taking things slow as he's not properly saddle broken yet.Thanks heaps for the offer Blitzen,I will be in touch if I think he needs the toungue bit.I'd love to go bitless but not the best idea for a green horse untill I have him sussed out and know how he handles things,and how good his brakes are!.