I understand what you are trying to say, but I also just cannot imagine how a low port can give any true tongue relief, as the tongue is a lot thicker then the little port created in the bit. i would think the best port would be a low, long port, but that might change the way the bit works in the mouth. Otherwise i see a french link as being a good tongue reliever. But in this case, a french link might not be what the horse is looking for.
I dont think the mullen mouth gives tongue relief, but i feel it fits the curvature of the tongue/mouth a little better then a true straight bar bit. I also feel that it gives equal pressure on the tongue, where as a ported bit can give uneven pressure. But it is all about what works for the horse.
I understand drool is viewed as good, but i think some drool can also come from a horse being stressed or confused or even in pain. So i dont fell that more drool is always a sign of a horse being soft and supple.
I am having a hard time finding images online that show the inside of the mouth, not just the outside.
Of course this is all a theory of mine.
While trying to find a picture, i stumbled on this article. Haflinger siting!!
http://www.7dvt.com/2008/horse-s-mouth
I like this website for the explaination of various bridles, nosebands and bits. It is perhaps a little more geared towards dressage but it covers many many bases. English riding. Lots of great images and discriptions. For the purpose of this discussion, scroll down to "the bit- the regular snaffle" and on down .
Only thing i find incorrect in this site is their discription of Bit Seats, found under Bit placement. Bit seats do not keep the bit away from the teeth, that actually make it so the teeth are more rounded and less likelyhood of the lips being pulled back into sharp tooth edges if the bit is pulled on in a strong manner/ panic situation.
http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php
Alana
Baltimore, MD
-----Original Message-----
From: kiolak kiolak@hotmail.com
Sent 1/11/2010 10:56:21 AM
To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: Asking for Advice on Bit
Great minds think alike Alana. ;^) One thing though, a mullen mouthed bit (the bar lies flat over the tongue) does not give clearance for the tongue, it holds the tongue down. The low ported bit allows just enough of an arch to allow more tongue movement, more tongue movement, more saliva, more saliva, more relaxation... like chewing gum. The arch to a low ported bit comes no where hear the roof of the mouth. The arch is lower than the height of the top teeth. (I hope that last part made sense, I can see it in my mind, but the words aren't coming)
If I find a good illustration I will forward it on...
Your Haffiefriend,
~Kiola~
Brier, WA
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "alana" alana@... wrote:
I am sure others will respond as well. I view that bit as the cheap bit you get free with some headstalls. Anyway if you ride two handed, english, i would look into a kimberwick type bit. This has a mullen mouth which is not exactly like a low port, but there is basically no chance of hitting the horse on the roof of the mouth with the kimberwick since there is no port. The mullen mouth just helps the bit fit over the tongue and may make room in the mouth for the bit and tongue to be happy together.
I dont really see how a low port can give any true tongue relieve and instead i would think it would cause roof of the mouth pain for the horse if the shanks of the bit are pulled back (port swings forward).
Anyway just an option.
This one does sort of have a port.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01106&ids=408895020
They do make them in mullen mouth, but goodness i cannot find a link right this second.
They also make them in the happy mouth style
http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,4313.html
Others may also comment, but i have read to stay away from jointed bits that use a curb chain, as the joint will flex causing the curb chain to loosen and loose effectiveness. Just because your bit has a curb chain does not mean you need to use it. If you take out the curb chain, the bit will become basically a D shaped mullen mouth.
http://www.horsesuppliesdirect.com.au/images/z121040.jpg
http://www.englishhabit.com/mullen-mouth-bits.aspx
Good luck
Alana
Baltimore, MD
-----Original Message-----
From: HRT hrhorses@...
Sent 1/10/2010 9:38:54 PM
To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [haflingerfriends] Asking for Advice on Bit
I am looking at purchasing another Haffie, a gelding that is ridden in a bit
that I am not knowledgeable with. The current owners use a low port, curb
bit. It is the type below (hopefully the links transfer in this message).
I've always thought of it as the cheap bit that you get with off the shelf
lower end bridles. When they got it out to put on him I cringed in my mind.
However, he rode very well with it.
http://www.buytack.com/products/bits/wea/graphics-2007/25-208-np.jpg
I have always used an Eggbutt snaffle. I ride two handed, use an English
bridle. Don't show, don't have to conform to any rules of any organizations
or such, I just prefer this bit & the English bridle. Sooo. my question is.
how different would this type of bit (see link below) be for him if I
switched him over.
http://www.horsetrainingvideos.com/images/bit-gd-lowport.jpg
I'm afraid to go to a snaffle with him since he is going so well with the
low port curb but I've never ridden in a curb & I prefer to ride two handed.
Could I do that with this bit? The shanks on it do swivel to allow the
horse to escape some of the pressure, which I like, but I'm debating whether
to just go to my mild Eggbutt snaffle. But I keep thinking, if he's going
well in that bit, why fix something that isn't broken?
Is there another option that I should consider, one that would keep the feel
of the bit relatively the same for him, but allow me to ride two handed,
and/or possibly allow me to not have to use a curb chain & switch my bridle
out for a western style?
I know this is OT somewhat, but it is for a Haflinger, so hopefully it'll be
allowed. LOL.
Stay warm everyone,
Jen in MN
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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