Bit for a dressage horse - problems with chewing and head-tossing

Hi! Finding the right bit really can be tricky! 😅

🐴 From what you describe, I do not think it sounds as though he goes better in a harsher bit. The chewing and the head-tossing are, exactly as you say yourself, signs of discomfort or pain from the pressure in the mouth. A curb bit is a very harsh option, and also a big change from how an ordinary snaffle acts.

🐴 When was the horse's last dental check? Because he has gone in a bit that was too long, there is a risk of injury in the mouth. This is not unusual at all, and injuries in the mouth can develop quickly. A double-jointed bit that is too long sits with the wrong break points in the mouth, which can put extra pressure on the bars or the palate, for example. It is therefore wise to book a dental check to make sure everything looks healthy.

🐴 I think a halfway step between a curb bit and a snaffle could be a good way forward. One option is a Baucher bit. It moves differently in the mouth from an ordinary snaffle, because on a rein aid it lifts upwards in the mouth and relieves pressure from the tongue and the bars. It tends to work very nicely on hot but sensitive horses. Another option is a barrel bit, which lays even, steady pressure in the mouth without becoming too stiff.

🐴 I would also strongly recommend you try a bit lifter together with the bits you are using. A bit lifter transfers pressure from the mouth to the bridge of the nose, which on some horses makes an enormous difference. The other thing that came to mind is a flash noseband. It stops the horse from redistributing the pressure in the mouth, because it limits how far the horse can open its mouth. Try taking it off and see how he reacts then.

I hope this gives you a few clues along the way 🙂