Yeah, it's official. Miles does not want any metal in his mouth (or rubber or plastic, tried those once upon a time, too) ever.
It's almost a relief, because now I can give up. Yes, I know there are other bits out there (my god there are thousands of different bits), but I feel like we've tried enough where I can say I fought the good fight. The latest was the Myler Level 3 Ported D Snaffle with Hooks, which I put on him this week, just in the barn. He HATED it. Gaping mouth, twisty-neck, the whole deal-and he was just standing there. Fair's fair, though, and I thought since it's been so long since he's worn any bit at all (at least 5 months) I would try it in the arena as well.
So, today, lunging to the left, I was cautiously optimistic. There was some mouth gaping, but he seemed more...playful and curious about the bit than uncomfortable. To the right, however, the gaping became GAPING, and his neck literally looked like it was a separate animal from the rest of him. I took a shot in the dark and got on him, since he was acting funny but not stupid or dangerous. No no no, he said. Poor boy just couldn't concentrate on anything but the metal in his mouth. He tried to do what I asked (basically we just walked and trotted around the outside of the arena-no circles, and I kept the reins very long so there was minimal contact), but he was getting stressed out and after 10 minutes I said eff this business. I swapped the bit for his good ol' padded hackamore, climbed back on, and after some initial tense trot and a little side step (hey, did I mention the snow was sliding off the roof of the arena and crashing to the ground during all this?) he was back to my golden boy.
I don't want to go through that again. He's made his feelings quite clear, and I actually feel bad for even asking him to try this One Last Maybe Majik Bit. Now, at least we can get on with experimenting with various bit-less options, which I think will be way more fun:)
Also, if anyone is looking for a 5.5" Myler Ported Barrel Dee with Hooks, Level 3, I've got it listed on Tack Trader for 85 bucks negotiable, free shipping, or a possible trade for a bit-less bridle. I might even give the special Miles On Miles Reader Discount if you ask:) In fact, I definitely will. Happy Sunday everyone~
There are lots of good bitless options - there's a post on my sidebar if you're interested although there are others I didn't include. Pie goes very nicely in his sidepull.
ReplyDeleteHey, at least you know now. Bits are expensive.
ReplyDeleteIzzy, on the other hand, thinks bitless is a nutty idea I need to stop forcing on her. Such is life.
If he goes well in a hackamore and you don't need a bit to do what you want with him, who cares? Use the hackamore. If you do ever decide to move to a bit, I moved Nina from a hackamore to a rubber bit to a three piece snaffle by finding the bits that fit her mouth the best and letting her get used to each one over an extended period. She is now a happy camper in a bit when I thought we would be in a hackamore forever. I need a bit to compete, so I was glad this worked for us. We need to do what works best for each horse/rider.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit, my pony was ridden in a hackamore forever, since he was labeled as 'Dangerous' when he had a bit in his mouth. However, after a fair bit of work and some careful training to get him used to bits in general (not to mention a fair bit of 'bit experimentation') and a little bit of just get it effin over with from my coach he now goes much better in a bit then in a hackamore. That said, its a very different situation as with you and Miles. We needed a bit to do the competitions we wanted to, and he was TERRIBLE in the hackamore, so the bit provided a much needed 'start from scratch' for him.
ReplyDeleteRight before he turned 4, my boy decided he was not a fan of bits. I rode him in a halter for a few months before investing in a Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle. I love love love this bridle...I have one in brown and one in black. Grayson is super soft in it. My friend uses one on her high strung Arab cross...he's the complete opposite of Grayson and does very well in it.
ReplyDeleteBut like Kate said, there are a ton of options... I just happened to get it right on the first try :)
My riding instructor introduced me to my bit and I love it. Its a Myler comfort snaffle dee. She said that OTTBs have a lower pallet and that all my bits which were traditional snaffles were now garbage...My monster does awesome with his, and i've never once had an issue with it. She has almost all of us riding in them. But if your boy doesn't like metal there is nothing that you can do about that!
ReplyDeleteWe have a few horses that are ridden in a Dr. Cooks bitless and they seem to really like it. A few more than normal were riding bitless last week, until we had the Equine Dentist out. seems they had some mouth problems and their bridles were causing some unpleasant behavior.
I've been loving my Nurtural bitless. There are days where I worry he'll run right through it but we've had several explosions and bolts and he comes right back, as if the same when I had him bitted. Laz too just didnt relax with a bit, always chewed it, gaped his mouth and had a ouchy face about it.
ReplyDeleteAt least Miles is helping you by telling you "Um NO" ;)
I'm all for bitless. You'll have to excuse me if I'm missing it because I'm new... have you ever tried just a plain eggbutt snaffle with him? I think I'd wig out at that Myler contraption if you stuck it in my face too.
ReplyDeleteHey Dom-I've tried an eggbutt happy mouth bit, a single joint D ring snaffle, a french link, loose ring single joint snaffle, happy mouth loose ring snaffle, a mullen mouth...I tried the Myler because he's got a large tounge and it allows room for that (so say the makers), and I've heard good reviews from other people with OTTBs that have tried it. This was actually the first "different" kind of bit I tried with him.
ReplyDeleteI agree, though, it looks funny and I think his palate may have been too low for it anyway.
I've tried two very different bits with my mare and she throws the exact same fit every time: Throws her head around, tries to spit it out, tries to rub it off her face- she just can't stand it. I'll start her bitless and she'll stay that way :)
ReplyDelete