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"