What could cause a horse to constantly chew on it's bit?  My walker does it alot. (5" copper mouth snaffle/6-1/2" stainless steel cheeks.) Attitude maybe?  And if it is an attitude issue, any suggestions on how to correct it? It's not his teeth. I just had them floated.  Wolf teeth, gone....etc. 

Suggestions welcomed.

Thanks

Some horses just do chew the bit. Nerves, habit,they like too. If he behavior is otherwise great under saddle, then its likely something you'll have to live with. Copper does cause a horse to salavate so its possible thats why he is chewing.

If he is young, then you could leave the bit in his mouth for a longer period of time until he feel more comfortable.

Yes, some horses just do chew on their bits.  I have one horse that does and she has done it since day one.  Also a snaffle sits lower in their mouth so they can get a hold of it easier.  I tried a curb bit on her once for a trail ride and she did not chew it because she couldn't reach it, it was heavier than a snaffle and stayed in place.

I don't mean that you should change to a curb .....it was just an observation on my part but you might try other bits instead and make sure they fit properly.

He's an experienced trail horse.  8 y/o.  I think all of you are correct.  About 3 weeks ago I had his teeth floated and the vet showed me some sore spots.  I haven't had a chance to ride him on the trails yet, but have done some round pen work with him since the floating.  He chewed on the bit some of the time in the round pen.  He can get his ass up on his shoulders when we start out on the trails too.  I think what bothers me the most is that as he's chewing on the bit he bends at the pole to where his nose hit's his chest, which feels like there's no contact with the bit. Maybe it's my "fear" that has me concerned.  I'm going to have to start doing more round pen work with him. Go back to square one.

Man, "Fear".............I hate that feeling.......I never had it until a few years ago.  I took a really bad fall of this horse. He spooked and off I went.  But,,,,,,,,got back on the next day.............with a broken arm.  Maybe I'm over reacting.

Never used any other type of bit's but snaffles on all my horses.   I agree with you houndog,   unfortunately we don't have any friends that ride gaited horses.  It's just me, and my walker is the only gaited horse we own out of a herd of 7, so I'm going to have to purchase a new bit.  I'll have to print your post and start looking for one in the catalogs.

My quarab stud chewed on the bit all the time, just drove me nuts.  I tried several different bits.  The trammel bit with the sweet iron broken mouth finally done the trick.  He even responds a lot better with it.

Hounddog is right.......a snaffle does not have shanks of any kind.  A snaffle only pulls on the side of a horse's mouth and does not have a chin strap.  I think maybe you were referring to a Tom Thumb which is broken in the middle but has shanks of different lengths depending on what you buy.  They do come in a copper mouth and you will need to use a chin strap with it.  Is that what you have?

I know a lot of Walkers seem to gait better in a traditional walker bit but you will have to find what works best for you.  My girlfriend has a Walker she just trail rides and he has been in a plain O-ring snaffle for 10 years with no problem.  The severity of any bit is dependent upon the hands of the rider.

Take your time with the fear factor thing.....we have all been there and we understand. 

Windwalker

take a look at http://www.nationalbridle.com/   look at the 8 inch shanks with the interchangable mouths, that way you can try different mouthpieces without buying a whole bit.  Since your guy seems to be over flexing, I would suggest, like houndog did, trying the one piece walking horse bit.  It has no moving parts and can be very useful, keep your curb chain loose, that is where you can get 3 or 4 fingers under it;  check it too with a pull on your reins.

also www.showstoppertack.com has the bits I am talking about..........  Personally, I do not use the copper because of the salivation issue and my horses seem to do just fine with the stainless steel.

Thanks everyone.........and yes the bit that I currently use is a Tom Thumb, (sorry about that)...............I see that you all are in agreement with the type bit I should try..............First time I've seen everyone agree on something. I knew we all could "just get along"!

I'll keep you posted. 

Oh Mr. Hounddog, thanks to you again for the website. (FYI: We secretly correspondended to each other, and I know I can trust everyone here not spread it around the boards. I do have my reputation to think about.....lol.)

Thanks again everyone. 

Rose. I suggested the medium port,standard shanks from World Champion! Just didn't have National Bridal catalog handy! LOL I have known some horses to do ok in Tom Thumbs but others to hate it.I have not used one on colts in years.Been using a Wonder bit when going from a snaffle to a shank bit on Qtrs and Walkers for several years now.did try a Tom Thumb on a older gelding once years ago and he chewed,head tossed,rooted at it.One short trail ride and never tried one a again.Had horse slobber all over me.Glad I had sun glasses on.Lol

HELP!!!!

I'm lost...........totally!   Can't figure out what the heck to purchase.    I went to all the websites and got lost in the bazaro world of "BITS"...........

Maybe you all can give me the exact website with the exact catalog numbers that I need..........

I'm at your mercy!

Schneiders has a pinchless shanked bit that walking horse people do like for their horses. Here is the link for one :

http://www.sstack.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=142&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=pinchless

As others have said I would play around with different bits to see what your horse is most comfortable with. Also remember to keep your curb strap/chain not too tight, two fingers width, with a shanked bit.

I would agree with you if this horse of mine hadn't been out on the trails. But he has for 4 years now.  With him it would be more like an "attitude" problem than a confidence issue.................guess I won't know until I try.  Changing his bit is a gamble.  I'll find out soon enough.

Windwalker this is the one piece all purpose bit I was talking about

Walking Horse Curb Bit Sale: $15.95

The following is a pinchless bit I use on my 13 yr old walking gelding.  This is from http://www.nationalbridle.com/

<form name=frmDetail action=/ProdDetail.asp?Catalog_ID=3394 method=post> Item #: 3394 Pinchless Medium Port Walking Horse Bit   $34.60   Rotates in center so that each shank works independently of the other. Pressure is applied on inside of lower jaw giving maximum control with little tongue pressure. Eggbutt ends on mouth prevent pinching of lips. Stainless steel. Size: 5" mouth with 8"

Thanks everyone.  You all have been so helpfull.

Update:  This morning I used this bit on my walker.  Seems he really likes it.  He was "chewing" and "drewling" like you wouldn't believe. The husband was laughing because he couldn't believe the saliva that was coming out of my horses mouth.  But it did stop him from putting his nose to his chest. Tomorrow I'm going to add the curb chain.  We'll see how that goes. 

Also, it took me forever to get him to stop. I was actually surprised at that because this bit is so different from the Tom Thumb. One would think with the port that he would just want to "stop" on a dime with just a slight pull on the reins.  I really had to pull back on the reins to get him to stop.    After about a half hour or so of starting and stopping he FINALLY started stopping without me having to pull back so hard on the reins.  Now was that because he got tired of starting and stopping or did he get tired of the bit causing him a little discomfort?  Who knows..... Geesh.

I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks

The "english" hackamore can be very useful on gaited horses, as well as the "hacka-bit"  which has a mouthpiece along with the fleece noseband.  Having said that, imo the walking horse bits work because they work with the head shake and head set.  Each horse is different which is why we have all those mouthpieces available for the interchangeable shanks.  Also, I prefer the 8" shank because on the action on the poll and chain rather than on the mouth.  With its short straight shanks, the Tom Thumb can be harsher than the more traditional walking horse bits.

Windwalker, if you haven't already, you might try the single rein stop combined with the weight shift in the saddle.  It does sound like you and your horse are making very nice progress.  Please keep us posted.

Okay, let me see if I can answer all these questions.  By the way, I REALLY APPRECIATE all this help from you people.  Its tough when you don't have any friends that own walkers.  I'm truly alone on this. So your help is valued.

Houndog:  When I used the Tom Thumb I always had a curb chain.  I was going to use the curb chain on the new port bit today, but.....it's raining cat's & dogs here.  I promise I will attach that curb chain  a.s.a.p.  Too bad you live so far from me.  I'd send him to you and YOU could work with him.  It would be worth the money.

Hackamores:  I've never used one before but the husband and I were talking about trying one out.  We have a 2 y/o qtrhrse that we were thinking about using a hackamore rather than a bit.  If I can't get my boy to adjust to this port bit, I'm going to try the hackamore. 

The saga continues....................

Windwalker:  You might also consider looking at Diane Gueck's video on training lite shod horses;  the first tape has a lot about the various bits, how they work etc   These are available at www.nationalbridle.com

Also www.countrysupply.com has the english hack and the hack-a-bit that I mentioned above.  The hack-a-bit has a cable noseband not the fleece like I said before.  We wrapped the noseband with electrical tape and the mouthpiece with latex.

We have an extensive bit collection which actually comes in handy from time to time.  So Windwalker, my very best advice is get out the old credit card and add to your bit collection.  Best wishes and happy trails.

It's funny,,,,,we own 7 horses.  Five we purchased and of which  were all ready trained.  Our Arab we have owned since birth.  We trained her as a trail horse.  Her "bit", just a D snaffle.  No curb chain required.  She's a great horse. Responds by voice, leg and seat. Stops on a dime.  Our 2 y/o we are going to use a hackamore.   The rest of the herd,,,,,,,,,,"curb chains".   And it's just my walker that is giving me the bit problem. The other 4 curb chainers are fine.  And I PROMISE, I will not use that port bit without a chain again.....

(I did purchase a hackamore.  I might try that too.  I'm going to need one anyway for the 2 y/o)

Thanks everyone

Thanks Houndog:  I'm going to use the port bit with a CURB chain this week.  Like everyone says here, it's finding the right thing that works.  Like I've said before, I value everyones opinions. 

Thanks

One horse I rope on I use a Tom Thumb, but outside the arena I use a hack, bosel, or a halter and lead rope. The other horse I rope on uses a chain bit w/medium shank. He also chews on the bit, if your not careful when you bridle he will take the curb instead of the actual bit and not let go. Any other bit he will spit out!!

It sounds like patiences, or lack of...  My horse will pull the reins in and through his mouth, same with ropes, lead ropes, it doesn't matter. If I stand in the box to long, in goes the side of the bit and reins.. it soesn't matter if it's the 1st steer or the last of the day, while standing in goes the bit and reins..

cowby