More Bit Experimentation

Izzy is the first horse that I've owned that has not been happy in any old bit. I've had quite a few horses, at least ten, and they've all been easy to bit up. Izzy is the first to have an opinion.

Here's a quick recap: 

• We started with an eggbutt with a lozenge mouthpiece. That worked well, until it didn't. He got heavy and started flat out bolting through my aids. Ultimately, he refused to take the bit at all. 
• Theory: too much tongue pressure.

Mikmar bit with eggbutt cheeks and lozenge mouthpiece

• I switched him to the Myler correction bit with Kimberwick cheeks. He improved almost immediately. I used that bit for 5 or 6 months and then switched to the Myler 33 mouth piece.
• Theory: tongue relief was what he needed.

Myler with a correctional ported barrel and Kimberwick cheeks. Mouthpiece 41PB

• The 33 mouth piece offers more tongue relief than the correctional port. Izzy has done equally well in it. It gives me excellent control while still encouraging him to take contact.
• I've been using the bottom rein connectors which provide a very small amount of leverage. 
• Theory: he understands leverage and likes the tongue relief.

Myler low, medium wide ported barrel with Kimberwick cheeks. Mouthpiece 33

• Since that was going so well, I moved my reins to the upper rein position. This turns the bit into a snaffle which uses direct rein action instead of leverage. I tried it for a week, but it was a fail. Izzy got really heavy in my hand and started running through my aids (again). The moment I moved my reins back down, all he wanted to do was stretch.
• Theory: he didn't like the way the bit tilted in his mouth.

I now know reins go on the lower hole with this mouthpiece.

I can see why he didn't like it. When I moved my reins up, it caused the bit to roll backwards in his mouth. With the reins connected to the bottom spot, the bit hangs more vertically in his mouth.

Out of the blue, I saw a Myler Bitting Assistant thing pop up on my Facebook feed. You simply fill out the small questionnaire, and one of the Myler brothers will call or email you (your choice) with advice on which bit would be best for your horse.

Kimberwick cheek piece

Low medium wide port

Low extra wide port

Of course I filled out the form and sent it off. While I feel like I have a pretty good feel for the Myler Bitting System, I was eager to hear what they might say. I received an answer the next morning. Dale Myler wrote, "with the 33 mouthpiece in the Kimberwick cheek, you only ride the bottom rein. My suggestion would be to stay in the 33, and once a week go to your 33WL bit to see where you're at."

Myler low extra wide ported barrel with loose rings (US Equestrian legal). Mouthpiece 33WL

Aha! Well that made a lot of sense especially regarding the rein placement. I won't even bother trying to move it to the snaffle rein setting again. I've been wanting to try out my legal dressage bit (pictured above), but I've been worried that I won't have the control I need. Changing the bit once a week to see where we are is an excellent suggestion.

I know I am getting closer and closer to that legal bit. And if nothing else, I am getting an excellent education in bits!