Loop gag vs. Pelham bit? Myler? Bit help?!?

Question

Okay another bit question!

I have a somewhat hot while jumping mare that can get really strong. I currently have her in a mullen mouth pelham. Is there anything less severe? She has been throwing hear head in the air a lot and hopping up and down before jumps. My trainer has had me trotting to fences and not touch her on the landing but I need a bit that I can use, not not-use because she is throwing her head. I've had her in an evevator but she hated it. She would jump a lot in place too and then just began stopping at every fence.

On cross country (eventer) she can get really strong to I need the leverage and I used to use a snaffle but it was just a tug and war. For dressage we are trying her in a myler because with my full check single joint she is throwing her head a lot and we think it is because the bit is hitting the top of her mouth. (Not saddle or teeth, I had a saddle doctor come out and the dentist comes regularly) she is just a 'marish' mare. I am really unorganized with this but she is a qh so she has a bit butt and always on the forehand. We are working on it but its a LONG process. Thoughts on a boucher?

So what exactly do the myler bits do exactly? My trainer gave me hers to try and it seems to be working bacuse its not jointed, but what is the purpose? Or should I try a french link? And do the lose rings have a different purpose than egg butts and d rings? I thought I was pretty good on bits but its a big bit world..

Back to cross country- is it worth using a pelham on xc because it works and maybe something else in stadium? The pelham seemed to work very well on xc and in stadium but now it seems like its in the way because she is always throwing her head and too collected.

Back to how she moves- short choppy stride in the pelham and too contained! I need some extension! Her neck is usually curled and she is quite heavy. she also throws her nose in the air so maybe that is the curb chain? She is also in a figure eight. (in dressage we started her in a flash because she evades the bit and that has now caused some head tossing)

Here is the pelham I use:http://www.onestopequineshop.com/assets/images/211805-rubber-mouth-pelham(1).jpg
gag worth trying?: http://www.englishhabit.com/metalab-ss-loop-ring-french-mouth-gag-bit.aspx
Full Cheek:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=62J_yRhrTXfAtM&tbnid=X1EftuNsJruEMM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jefferspet.com%2Ffull-cheek-snaffle-bit%2Fcamid%2Fequ%2Fcp%2F13759%2F&ei=r3gKU9uHMq3QsQS5oYDYAw&bvm=bv.61725948,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGGZUZb_Hgkh89fJk8B3UU5zAnC5A&ust=1393281581800973
does anyone have info on this gag? : http://d21w1ago704mi4.cloudfront.net/full/243820.jpg or this one? http://www.tackroominc.com/images/130123sm.jpg

What about a full cheek slow twist? I'm so lost.. I am usually really good with bits but this has been a wake up call..

Any links to good articles or any other bits with links to where I can read their function? Any advice please give!

Answer 1

Myler bits are generally very gentle and I have had a lot of success riding my event horse on the flat. They're different from a snaffle or regular single or double jointed bit in that each branch (side) of the bit moves independently of the other. The link is in the middle part that rolls. This is useful for horses that tend to get stiff in one side of the jaw, because a Myler lets you gentle wiggle only one side of the bit, rather than a snaffle where, when you wiggle one side, everything else moves.

Answer 2

It sounds like she needs some freedom in her mouth. I am a big myler bit fan. We have Dale myler, who is one of the 3 brothers that created myler bits come out every year and we do a biting clinic. These bits were developed with the horse and rider in mind. They looked into a horses mouth and really took their time to figure out what bits do in horses mouths and what a horse should have in their mouth to give them the relief and freedom they are looking for as well as give you the control you are looking for. I have helped several people who do eventing and jumping with bit and my recommendation would be the 3 ring combination bit by myler with either an 04 mouth piece or a 33 mouth piece. The mouth piece depends on your horse and what works best for them. The 04 is for intermediate horses, it gives a small amount of tongue relief but not a whole lot since there are some horses who do not do well with tons of freedom. The 33 mouth piece is a little more advanced giving the horse the most tongue relief and giving the rider tons of control. This mouth piece would be for advanced horses. But even if your horse is advanced this doesn't mean the 33 is the best. See if your friends or anyone has these bits. If not we do have the myler rental program available. It is $1 a day minimum of 10 days, you can rent it for as long as you want. If it doesn't work send it back and try another if it does work whatever money you put toward the rental comes off the bit. I see someone has already posted a link to our website above. Stagecoachwest.com If you have any questions feel free to call 1-800-648-1121 You can ask for Jessica or Cindy. We are always happy to answer any questions

Answer 3

Myler Pelham

Answer 4

There is a fantastic website here: http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php Very much worth reading every word as you will have an entirely new outlook on bits, bitting and the functions of your bridle and bit combinations. It will answer all of your different questions regarding snaffle styles.



I'm not very familiar with Mylar bits, but if it seems to be working, go for it.



I had a similar problem on a TB that needed to go in a really severe looking Mikmar brand bit. It's an interesting bit because it sits very flat in the mouth and is very comfortable for them, until you put some pressure. The change from feeling like "me so comfy" to "heckofa bit!" was really excellent for this particular horse. You could bring him back from super-strong just by the idea of a half-halt. Like a 1/8th halt, just a squeeze of the reins really, and he'd go from Insanely hot to YES MA"AM.



It is fine for Xcountry and stadium, but obviously your dressage or hunter rounds must be ridden in something else.



Natrually, it wasn't appropriate for a horse that goes with a lot of contact.

Answer 5

You seems to have started a war with her, pelhams, figure of eight nosebands, now you will ahve to go back to basics and ask her to be polite, and train until she is.

Answer 6

stop being lazy and train your horse to listen to you.

using a bit to force her to submit to pain in her mouth does not help her at all, nor does it train you to be a better rider.



it does nothing. she will get used to that level of pain....then what? get a bigger twist? a double wire twist? use more severe pain?



then what? use barb wire?



the point is.... going with gag bits (which are severe no matter what) and going with twisted bits, etc...

that's the lazy person saying: "I just want to do what I want to do, and I don't care how it makes my horse feel. I want her to shut up and take it and do what I want. her happiness isn't important to me. Mine is."



is that fair?



Go back to some basic stuff.



A smooth D ring snaffle and some basic stuff like:

one rein stops, serpentine work, changes of direction, transitions, etc



that build communication between you and your horse.

THAT is fair and THAT is what should always be done.



Just "fixing" a problem that is caused by a rider and by the excitement of the riding... with a bit and pain is.... wrong.