Toungue over the bit...

Tez 80 · 26-02-2010, 05:10 PM

I have an ott stb and I know it's a common thing for them to do this and they usually wear a toungue tie/stocking or rubber band when racing to prevent them putting their toungue over the bit.Our new horse does it as soon as I put his bridle on (it just has a plain jointed snaffel).Is there any type of humane bit that will help stop him doing this?.I don't want to have to use a toungue tie when riding,they look cruel and I have seen horses toungues that have been damaged by the lackys,etc.Any other options would be appreciated!.

blitzen · 26-02-2010, 05:24 PM

my standy does this. i mostly ride him in a dually halter BUT when forced to wear a bridle (shows/pony club) i ride him in a mullen mouth (straight bar) with a hannovarian noseband.
he has had one of those special anti-bit thingies with the tongue depressor part but that doesn't foil his antics at all.

he still gets it over at times but not often & when he does, it's not waving in the air.

i prefer to have him in the dually (bitless) tho, for everyone's happiness. he's fine in it.

Salinero · 26-02-2010, 08:42 PM

My girl used to put her tongue over the bit too. Very frustrating. I had a Hanno on, and a normal frenchlink. Tried to raise the bit a little higher in her mouth, but did not work. She had teeth, saddle etc checked so pain was ruled out. It came down to her just being smart I guess and found a way of getting out of work. She is quite fiddly in her mouth. I got a jointed bit with a tongue clip on (called a tongue bit)... and now she seems a lot more settled and working a lot better.

wattle6180 · 26-02-2010, 08:45 PM

A Tongue Bit is VERY humane

It's basically a snaffle with a V-shaped triangle in the centre of the bit that lays across the top of the tongue. Quite common in racing stables

I'll try to find a pic and attach to this post

ETA: (or a link

) http://www.animalcare.net.au/p/46001...ntrol-bit.html

Salinero · 26-02-2010, 08:52 PM

I've got a slightly different look to mine, the clip is attached in a different way. But the function is exactly the same.

Salinero · 26-02-2010, 08:54 PM

Found a pic... mine looks like this.

http://www.horsetackinternational.co...tongue-bit.jpg

wattle6180 · 26-02-2010, 09:30 PM

Salinero thankyou for posting your link. I have never seen that type of bit before. It looks like it has more movement (play)?? From the pics, I would think it actually encourages the horse to play with the bit? Perhaps to induce confidence?

The bit I am familiar with is about downplaying tongue movement. Both are pretty similar otherwise

Salinero · 26-02-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wattle6180

Salinero thankyou for posting your link. I have never seen that type of bit before. It looks like it has more movement (play)?? From the pics, I would think it actually encourages the horse to play with the bit? Perhaps to induce confidence?

The bit I am familiar with is about downplaying tongue movement. Both are pretty similar otherwise

Yeah, you might be right about that. I have only tried this type of tongue bit before so don't have anything to compare with. Have tried a few other 'normal' bits too but want as kind of a bit as possible and still have a little movement in it. This one so far has been the best, she can still grab hold of it at times, but am learning to 'ride' through it insead. She seems to accept the bit and foams at the mouth.

blitzen · 26-02-2010, 10:45 PM

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.

Tez 80 · 27-02-2010, 09:52 AM

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!.