Pyro Bit Trials Update

 Pyro chewed on the Happy Mouth copper roller bit already. -_-

The bite marks were really close to the copper roller, so I speculate that he pulled the central piece up into his mouth to reach that edge and found it was very chew-able. He may have done it when he snuck a mouthful of my zinnias when I dismounted after a hack. (I don't typically let him eat with a bit.)

The cutest flower thief

Due to the bite marks, I rode him for the first time in the eggbutt happy tongue knock off bit (from Cavalon on Etsy) during my last lesson with Brynne. When I put it in his mouth prior to the ride, it appeared to conform to the shape of his mouth pretty well, so I hoped trying a new bit wouldn't lead to a wasted lesson via dramatics.

It came in this fancypants bag

Brynne commented that mullens offer a lot of stability, but some horses don't give a lot of lateral suppleness with that mouthpiece. However, as Pyro is generally a noodle, I didn't think this would be a big issue for him. Throughout the ride, I was able to ask him to laterally flex and bring his head one way or the other. He definitely played with the mullen and opened his mouth some throughout the lesson, but he wasn't overly fussy. 

Pushing and curling over the bit in a later ride

Over the next few rides, I found that he had a tendency to push on my hands in the mullen. It obviously wasn't too "sharp" like he finds the Myler comfort snaffle of a similar diameter.

He had no issues reaching out to it, but he definitely still opened his mouth here and there. 

So long as I didn't allow him to lean on the bit, I thought he rode fairly well in it. However, I had other options to try, so why not?!

I purchased this (deeply discounted) bit from Agador's after one of my regular scrolls through their sale page. They had a very limited run of their CalmBlue Dressage Eggbutt Snaffle, but in a 16mm mouthpiece. 

THICC

They were on sale because the sweet iron had already started oxidizing (as it's intended to do, oh nooooo), so I was able to get it shipped from Canada for under $40. For that price, it's basically a free bit. #horsegirlmath

It's a very similar style to the Myler comfort snaffle, with the locking middle barrel, but I was curious if the thick mouthpiece would be more amenable to Pyro.

It also is VERY similar to the copper roller Happy Mouth in size and shape. 

In recent rides in this bit, I DO think he likes it. He has no issue reaching out to it (unlike the Myler comfort snaffle, which he would curl behind the vertical to evade), appears more steady than with the copper roller Happy Mouth, and doesn't lean on it like he did the mullen.

Very fun bareback ride

Carrying himself in the canter!

He DOES still mouth the bit quite a lot, but it's in less of a fussy way I think? I seems to be more "mleming" of his tongue (yes that's the technical term) than evading pressure. I've been pretty happy with his way of going, reaching out to the bit more consistently with an increase in being responsible for his own balance. 

Reaching into the contact

Very rideable

Looking strong (ignore my flapping elbows)

In the meantime, I finally received the Fager Nils bit I've had on backorder for ages, which is quite similar, but has a 14mm diameter and slight tongue relief. To me, it appears like the middle ground between the CalmBlue and the happy tongue mullen. 

While I'm pretty pleased with how he's currently working, I may try it in the future solely to satisfy my curiosity. It probably won't be this week though, because we're gearing up to have Kate Little return to teach a 4-day clinic at Windsor starting Thursday! I'm sure Pyro and I will both end up brain fried by the end, but I can't wait to have in-person coaching from such a knowledgeable horsewoman again. Bits, contact, and active-mouthed horses are definitely topics I want to pick her brain about. 

Saddle up, bud! It's gonna be a busy week!