Great for transitioning to other Western bits.You’ll probably want to graduate to something with a bit more subtlety down the road, but you never know - often the right bit is a case of not fixing something that isn’t broken. Some OTTBs develop the habit of pulling and working crookedly, and the Mullen bit can help straighten their movement. It lets you give straight, direct aids, and sometimes that is just the type of approach that your Thoroughbred needs. This is another excellent bit for mouthy horses that need to work their jaws and chew a bit to relax. If you’re planning on transitioning your OTTB to Western disciplines, the Mullen mouth bit will be a more direct transition to the curb bit, without being in the least bit harsh. Instead, it’s a very gentle bit that doesn’t pinch, and provides even pressure across the mouthpiece, tongue, and bars. Unlike some other Mullen mouth style bits you’ve seen, this Dee-Ring version doesn’t have shanks that could add leverage to the rein action. Can sometimes invite chewing – may need replacement sooner.Stainless Steel core with polymer overlay.If your horse was previously worked in a Dee snaffle, this will also be a good style for their transition into “civilian life.” It also allows for independent movement of each side of the bit, like the Myler bit above. Many people report that the switch to a bit with a lozenge or “bean” is the one change that got their horse to relax and start focusing - especially if they had a tendency to set their jaw or stick out their tongue. It gives the horse something to play with, and also spreads the bar and tongue pressure evenly across the whole mouth of the bit. When we talk about “double-jointed” or “broken mouthpiece” snaffle bits, we’re referring to bits that have a central lozenge-shaped piece on the mouthpiece, rather than just a simple single-jointed hinge action that can pinch like a nutcracker. (Ask around, and someone you know will probably have a story about their sharp-toothed beaver horse.) That said, be aware that some horses will learn to chew on their Happy Mouth bits, and that the material won’t stand up to rigorous equine chomping. Note: The Myler line can be a bit pricey, but they’re a well-made brand that lasts. The bit is also infused with copper, which encourages salivation - always a good thing with #rookiehorses. You’ll also be able to introduce a bit more of a jiggle into the rein aids on the loose ring, helping them catch on. You can activate each side of the bit on its own, which helps get the point across to a young horse or greener horse. This loose ring snaffle has free moving rings on each side, so this an excellent model for introducing the concept of more subtle aids and to use to start transitioning to other disciplines, if needed. This style lets them get the idea gently while ensuring that any sudden or accidental braking incidents won’t grab their mouth. With that important detail covered, let’s move on to the top 5 bits that successful owners and trainers recommend for OTTBs.Īt this stage in the game, it’s okay to let your horse relax a little and learn to not pull against the bit. The correct width will leave about ¼” of metal extending on each side of the horse’s lips. You want to avoid a bit that’s too narrow that will pinch the corners of the mouth. If you don’t have access to a way to measure your horse’s mouth for correct fit, start with the 5 ¼” size, and assess how it’s sitting. Before you go bit shopping, though, make sure you know what size bit your horse will need, which is measured in inches.Īn average size for Thoroughbreds is 5 ¼.”įrom there, the measurements go up or down in quarter-inch sized increments. Likewise, they’re a great starting point with your OTTB. It’s quite common for Thoroughbreds to wear a simple, loose ring bit or Dee snaffle with a fat mouthpiece. If you’re lucky enough to have some background on your horse, find out what type of bit they raced in at the track, or have been working with in their most recent training program after they retired. Want to embrace your OTTB’s history? Learn what to wear to a horse race before you head to the track. Great transitional bit for Western riders.Can be a game changer for hard-to-bit jumpers. Gentle and and good for direction control on enthusiastic horses. Happy Mouth Pro King Dee Shaped Mullen Bit
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