Tongue over bit...

[Bonkey]

Anything I can do to stop it in a nice way?
Or try with him?

History: Ex racehorse, just started schooling work, makes alot of faces all the time with his tounge - bridle or no bridle.....all checks have been done so I know he's not in pain but happens more when he is a little stressed (i.e new place to ride) .

I am debating going bitless not just because of this issue... but have no idea....

What bit are you using at the moment?

Loose ring snaffle with a lozenge (sp?)

A sprenger turnado worked for mine but it's a case of trial and error with different bits. Bit banks offer a chance to try before you buy so you can work your way through a few if you need to.

What about trying a happy mouth bit?

Don't take offence - is the bit actually in the right position in the mouth? Even a quarter of an inch too low could be uncomfortable and causing him to try and get his tongue over

Teeth re checking next week and after that I will try some different bits if its not stopped.

The bit is in the right position, have checked it myself and had it rechecked just to be sure but its fine .

y gut is telling me he is just being a baby and a pain in my arse

Try a medium soft straight bar rubber snaffle, adjusted so it does not lie low as above advice. This is your cheapest option. Down bitting a horse often works well as long as they are getting lots of work and not too much protein in the diet. Failing this I have used a WTP bit with tongue plate, they are popular in Australia for racers with this issue. I used with success and later was able to move to a French link snaffle after a year or so. Habit gone.

Make sure you get his teeth checked by a proper equine dentist who uses a gag to manually feel the teeth and inspect visually (not just your vet giving a quick/blind rasp). I had a horse on loan that had only very recently had his teeth checked and rasped by the vet. He wasn't great in his mouth so I got a BAEDT dentist to come and check him. Turns out he had huge hooks at the back that needed power tools to correct.

Decent advice here re: downgrading the bitting. This may well be behavioural caused by memories of previous trauma in the mouth or with rough handling. It may be worth trying a bitless bridle anyway just to give his mouth a break. I found it very useful to ride young horses with a normal loose ring, French link bit (no noseband) and an additional set of reins attached to the sides of a well-fitting headcollar.

Be patient and keep his brain busy.

I have a equine dentist coming.

I fully believe that its better to get a specialist in for each area rather than fall to a vet for everything. I have known people use a vet and then have to use someone else afterwards. I don't have a lot of trust in vets full stop tbh...

I know all his history and he has been treated very well so I don't think its a bad memory or trauma....I could be wrong but I am pretty sure.

Took him out in hand this morning and he still makes faces so its a general thing I think...just when he has a bit it gives him something else to play with and excuse to piss around but would rather be sure...and he is due it anyway.

Does anyone know where I can try a bitless? Been debating it for a while anyway so could be worth a shot?
I don't know anyone with one and don't really want to fork out on one if he doesn't take to it well...

Sometimes going one hole shorter on a cheek piece can help if they are happy with the bit.

You could try eBay for a second hand Hackamore. Alternatively buy a new one then sell on if it's no good.