Double Bridle Fail

12/27/2016

Well that didn't take long. The first few times that I used the double bridle, Izzy took it willingly, and then worked better than ever. The next few times I tried it, he started to show some resistance to bridling again.

Over the weekend, I spent time just bridling without the added pressure of a ride. Yesterday, he had a full on melt down over the bridle and gave me an impossible to ignore NO.

I did get it on, but he flew backwards each time I tried to bring it over his ears to secure it. And no, it's not an ear issue; he just knows over the ears means it's on.

Once I finally did get it on, he stood there practically trembling, but not quite. His entire body was rigid, and a near panic filled his eyes. No way was I going to ride him looking like that. I gently removed the double, gave him a reassuring pat, and let him stand and recover.

I heard you loud and clear.

A few minutes later, I pulled out my original bridle with the correction bit attached. He gave it the hairy eye ball, but stood quietly as I slowly drew the crown piece over his ears. The dude knew the difference.

When I bought Izzy, his first owner told me that he was very expressive about his dislikes. Her experience came with a poor fitting saddle. According to her, Izzy had a complete fit about using a saddle that he didn't like. She couldn't get it off fast enough.

This is twice now that he's shown an obvious dislike for a bit. For the first, a thick and gentle double jointed snaffle, it took him months to convince me that he didn't like it. This time, he decided to be more persuasive; it only took him a handlful of bridling days to convince me that the double is not for him.

Before anyway suggests dental work, believe me, I've thought of it too. My horses get their teeth done by my veterinarian once or twice a year. Izzy's teeth were done this past March. While it is possible that something has changed in his mouth since then, I have felt around in there and even taken a quick peek. Nothing seems to be amiss, but I will let my vet know we've had some bitting issues.

Still the leading contender.

The main reason I don't suspect a dental problem is because he seems to like the Myler Correction bit. He packed it around for three solid weeks without complaint or resistance. And in fact, even after having a melt down over the double, he stood quietly and let me put that bit on.

I am ordering a dressage legal Myler bit today. If I am going to have a tack issue, which I'd rather not, but if so, I'd much rather it be bits than saddles. And no, Universe, I am NOT tempting you. Who all has been down this particular path?

jenj

12/27/2016 06:13:36 am

Ugh, how frustrating!!!

I have two dressage legal mylers that are sitting around collecting dust. I think they're both 5.5s. One is a Baucher and the other is an eggbutt. PM me on FB if you want either.

Bakersfield Dressage link

12/27/2016 06:40:43 am

Thanks, jenj. With my trainer's help, we found the mouth piece with the absolute maximum tongue relief allowed in a dressage legal bit. It's a loose ring with a very wide and low port. Riding Warehouse is having a big sale right now so the bit is under $70. And since I have to return the double, which my husband bought as a gift, he's getting a huge deal as the bit is half what the bridle cost. :0)

Karen

12/28/2016 10:21:24 am

If you haven't gotten this bit yet, I have the exact bit for sale.

12/29/2016 06:21:35 am

Rats! Yeah ... I had already ordered it. Too bad as I could have taken it off your hands. :0)

Teresa link

12/27/2016 08:10:46 am

I too have a horse that is 'expressive'. What's driving me nutty is her saddle. If's at all tight anywhere she begins pitch a fit. The trick is figuring out what's "I don't wanna' and what's "ow".

It's slowing down the training because getting the saddle fitter out here is not easy! However, I've been riding her in Irish's wider saddle and it seems to be better.

12/27/2016 09:43:37 am

Exactly! It IS really hard to distinguish between the don't wanna and it hurts/can't understand. I think I am seeing the difference now with Izzy, but it would sure be a lot easier if they spoke English!

Saddle fit is the worst because it is so expensive or inconvenient to fix. Hopefully you can get a saddle fitter out soon. I know the one I use comes from a couple of hours away so she only comes when a group of us can all schedule her together which is next to impossible. She did come this summer so I know Izzy's issues aren't saddle related. As always, good luck!

Emma link

12/27/2016 08:21:12 am

Well he certainly knows how to get his point across! Glad he wasn't freaked out about the other bit now too

12/27/2016 09:44:17 am

Seriously, me TOO!!!!!

Tracy link

12/27/2016 08:38:11 am

Miles gave me an emphatic NO to a pelham last winter... despite the fact that he'd gone in one prior to my purchasing him. So, I just kept trying bits until a found a compromise. Now, Miles has a "flatwork" very mild bit and a more serious "jumping" bit

12/27/2016 09:46:34 am

Glad you found something "acceptable." It's unfortunate that Izzy likes the correction bit because it's not show legal, but I am using it for a while since he seems happy in it. Hopefully he'll like the new one, but if not, at least I have a lot of choices!

Marlane

12/27/2016 04:09:40 pm

Is it possible that Izzy has wolf teeth as well as needing more tongue room ? these are tiny teeth just in front of the molars and metal bits knock on them and cause discomfort. I have had them removed in two of my horses and it improved bit acceptance.

12/29/2016 06:32:20 am

No problems there. My vet likes to remove them early. Speedy's were pulled when he was three. Izzy's were done when he was a long yearling before I got him (I have his health records). My vet has even filed down wolf teeth on a horse I used to have because those were causing some bitting problems. He also likes to do a small bit seat just to make bridling and unbridling more comfortable for the horse.

Like I said, I keep up on my horses' teeth, but it never hurts to check. :0)

Jodi link

12/27/2016 09:13:35 pm

I've pretty much been able to use the same type of bit, a loose ring KK Ultra or something very similar, on all of my horses. This includes the horses at the track. With Indy, the Sprenger was a no go. When I decided that wasn't working, I tried a double jointed Stubben eggbutt on her. Even though there is very little difference in the mouthpiece, she is much happier in the Stubben. It seems like with hot and sensitive horses, the smallest change can make a huge difference. On top of that, they can be fine with something one day and then find it unbearable the next. I'm sorry that the double didn't work out. Hopefully, the new bit will work for him.

12/29/2016 06:34:34 am

I am not disappointed about the double as it was a lot of bit and rein to deal with. I just want him to be comfortable and happy. He was going quite well in the correction bit which suggests that he does want the tongue relief. Hopefully the next bit will work, but if not, there are still a lot of others to try as you already know. :0)

Olivia link

12/31/2016 05:45:24 pm

I went through a lengthy struggle with Nilla regarding bits. It's still not 100% resolved, but it is so much better. I found her s Mullen mouth with a high port and she's gone from flopping her tongue 8" out of her mouth (and earning us quite a few dressage test penalty points) to keeping her tongue in her mouth except for brief flicks.

Comments are closed.

Not-So-Speedy Dressage