Bits for Low Paletted Thoroughbred

[PnkPanthr]

Among looking at my horse's mouth, his palate looks pretty low. Right now I have an eggbutt snaffle on him, but I think the regular snaffle hits the roof of his mouth. The still happily reaches for my hand, however sometimes when he starts to pull, or if I get a little too heavy with my hands(and hey, I'm not perfect dressage rider yet :lol:) he opens his mouth and sometimes tilts his head, and I think this has partially to do with a little bit of discomfort.

So I was thinking of trying just an eggbutt frenchlink or a loosering french link to see if that helps. I am just afraid to put anything too soft on him because he is still only a year off the track, and we sometimes refer to our old ways. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

[butlerfamilyzoo]

What about a french link baucher?
example: http://www.123tack.com/stubben-steeltec-baucher-bit.html?productid=stubben-steeltec-baucher-bit&channelid=FROOG

May give you just a little more control if needed but not hit the palate, and still legal for the show ring. I have this same issue with my mares, they both go in french links, one of them really likes a mullen mouth piece too.

[McVillesMom]

My OTTB has a low palate AND a very fat tongue, and he is MUCH happier in a French link.

[Dressage.For.Life.]

I've been using this (http://www.vtosaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SEBOM) with my TB.

[Beasmom]

I also used a French Link on my OTTB and had no trouble. Try both the "dogbone" and lozenge shaped center links to see what the horse prefers.

[HollysHobbies]

Add another vote for French-link! That's what I use on my OTTB!

[oharabear]

I also use a French-link on my OTTB. I have never had a problem with not being able to control her with it. But then, I am also in the school of thought that any bit is as strong as the hand that uses it, so I don't particularly think that a French-link in more or less strong than a plain snaffle. For me, it's all about finding the bit that is first and foremost comfortable in the horses' mouth, and then IF they are (for some reason) not as responsive to it, you get the response by schooling them to respond to the bit they have, not by getting something more severe.

I hope that makes sense... I should never bring my laptop to my lecture class and pretend to be taking notes while *actually* surfing COTH and half-listening to the lecture... :lol:

[slc2]

Sounds more like a matter for a caveson than a different bit.

[Invite]

I used the Albacon french link loose ring on my mare who was low paletted. This mare also had the fatest tongue my vet had ever seen ;) Poor Louise, she was a good girl, may she rest in peace.

My most recent low paletted mare was ridden in a KK Ultra loose ring. Em is now with a good friend who is making her into a hunter, as dressage was not her forte, and she is going in a mullen mouth Happy Mouth.

My gelding has a somewhat low palette and I ride him in either a KK Ultra or a Turnado. He finds both acceptable.

[goeslikestink]

Among looking at my horse's mouth, his palate looks pretty low. Right now I have an eggbutt snaffle on him, but I think the regular snaffle hits the roof of his mouth. The still happily reaches for my hand, however sometimes when he starts to pull, or if I get a little too heavy with my hands(and hey, I'm not perfect dressage rider yet :lol:) he opens his mouth and sometimes tilts his head, and I think this has partially to do with a little bit of discomfort.

So I was thinking of trying just an eggbutt frenchlink or a loosering french link to see if that helps. I am just afraid to put anything too soft on him because he is still only a year off the track, and we sometimes refer to our old ways. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

have you checked your bridle actually is fitted correctly so the bit hangs in the right place
also have you looked to see if its the correct size and lenght for the horse mouth
if its hangs to low then you might have to shorten your cheek pieces
as it could be ill fitting bridle and therefor the bit isnt laying on the bars of his mouth but rather against his teeth which would make him tilt his head and open his mouth to get rid of the discomfort

look here on my helpful links pages
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=178116

read all of page one and all links start of with this link

as it has working diagrams of where the bit should be
http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php#kineton

ooh and whille you at it read this link by thomas 1
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=223453
all relevent and hopefull itsabout correctly fitting the bit by size and length and fitting the bridle properly

[Eclectic Horseman]

KK Ultra Bradoon. It is only 14 mm thick and double jointed. Used one of these on a TB mare whose mouth was so tiny that the sides of her tongue showed out the sides of her mouth when she was wearing a halter!

[johnnysauntie]

My OTTB has a low palate AND a very fat tongue, and he is MUCH happier in a French link.

Ditto, exactly. We're in a 14mm KK ultra french link and it's all good.

[Nojacketrequired]

The still happily reaches for my hand, however sometimes when he starts to pull, or if I get a little too heavy with my hands(and hey, I'm not perfect dressage rider yet ) he opens his mouth and sometimes tilts his head, and I think this has partially to do with a little bit of discomfort.

Sounds more like a matter for a caveson than a different bit. - SLC

What would make you think that it is a cavesson problem rather than a bit problem first?

NJR

[albigears]

I second the Albacon French Link loose ring. My TB has a low palette and thick tongue, and this was one of the few french links I could find that was quite thin- 13mm.

[Velvet]

Well, I have a bit more experience lately with horses with low palettes. So here's what I use. One horse went VERY well (from retrained OTTB baby stuff to his upper level work) in a loose ring french snaffle. Then there's the odd ball one that I have that enjoys a Dr. Bristol more. It's basically the same, but sits a bit more flat on the tongue. And really is NOT a harsh bit. (All bits are only as harsh as the hands that hold the reins.) People fear it these days because people can abuse it and it can put too much pressure on the tongue. But it works just like a french if you have good hands, the horses often love it.

That's my advice, based on a few of the horses I've met with low palettes. :)

[2Below]

I've used a french-link loose ring on my LP/fat tongued TB. I've also used a french-link eggbutt but he seems to like the loose ring better. My current challenge is finding a weymouth/bridoon combo that he's happy with.

[J-Lu]

This is based on experience:

A "properly fitted" french link can actually stand upright in the horse's mouth and press on both the tongue and the palate, depending on the model of french link. Hold one *in bridle position* on your palm and you will see what I mean. Even better, bridle your horse and then stick you finger in the corner of the mouth so the horse retracts his/her lips and actually examine how it contacts the tongue and palate. I rode a low palate, thick tongued horse who greatly objected (tossed head, bucked, developed a sour attitude) to a "properly fitted" silver french link but did not object to a stainless steel french link that was technically too big because it laid flatter on the tongue, was smaller in the middle link. Dr. Bristols can lean into the tongue too much for a thick tongued/low palate horse and I would not recommend it for this type of horse. But again, your best bet is to put it in the mouth and see how it lays on the tongue.

I highly suggest a double-joint snaffle with a bean or a rounder middle piece than a french link. Make SURE it doesn't pinch his lips, though. If you need more precise control go with a thinner bit. I was the first off-track rider on a couple of OTTBs and did not have problems with these mild bits. Pleasant, fitting bits usually translates into a more willing horse, and a willing horse is less likely to act up. Similarly, I found that the OTTBs pretty much revert to their ways in conjunction with us pulling or maintaining contact on their mouths in the beginning of the retraining...which they are used to. Pulling/contact means *go faster and use me for ballast* on the track. While counterintuitive, dropping contact is a great way to "break the cycle" in their brain because they are rarely ridden without contact on the track.

Good luck!

[Somantu]

My TB raced until he was 7. When I got him as an 8-year old, I tried many different bits until we settled on the 14mm KK-Ultra Loose ring. He preferred that thing over any other bit.

A few years later I noticed he was starting to brace a little against my hand. At the next floating the vet reminded me that my horse is slightly parrot-mouthed, and as he's grown older his mouth issues (low palate, thick tongue) may be affecting our ride.

I tried a Myler MB 02 Loose ring. It's a little thinner than the 14mm KK, but seems softer in his mouth. He can still go in the KK, but I get a more connected, soft and accurate ride with the Myler.

[Pocket Pony]

KK Ultra Bradoon. It is only 14 mm thick and double jointed. Used one of these on a TB mare whose mouth was so tiny that the sides of her tongue showed out the sides of her mouth when she was wearing a halter!

Ditto the KK Ultra Bridoon. Paddy has a super low pallete and thick tongue and this is what he likes best. I have used a French Link also, but he likes the bridoon beter. Oh, and I tried a Baucher and he HATED it!!! The only time he's bucked me off in the five years I've had him! :eek: