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I was using the Myler low port forward tilt mouthpiece (MB-36).  He  
has a very fat tongue, and this one really pinched.  He had sores and  
bruising on the sides.  Really did a number on him.  Only thing I can  
think is that it pinched between the bit and his teeth.

I have had one "test" ride (15-mile Manzanita Fun Ride) with him in a  
Myler Combination Bit, with the 3-ring shank and the 41PB mouthpiece  
that Ranelle recommended.  This is one of the older style with the  
beta noseband rather than the knotted cord they have now.  Lots of  
trail/training rides in it, but as I said, they don't count since he  
goes on a loose rein then.  :)   No bolting, but still very strong  
contact, considering the severity of the bit.  However, he was the  
best he has ever been.  BTW - I have him in dressage lessons, as I  
think the real fix needs to be in his head, not in the bit.  This did  
let me feel as if I was in control, rather than on a borderline  
runaway.  :)

He was getting into the bolting at home, too, and this bit allowed me  
to fix that.  There is a 'spooky spot' on our track, and he was  
getting into a bad habit.  This bit allowed me to control the bolt.  I  
took him around the track 4 times, and on each bolt attempt, was able  
to stop him short without yanking, back him up, then continue on.  By  
the 4th time, he gave it up, and it hasn't been a problem since.

It is a lot of bit, so I try not to use any more pressure than  
necessary.  I'm still experimenting, trying to find something better,  
but for rides I will probably try this one for a few more times and  
see how it works.  It does have the 3 ring shank, so I may try and  
ride with double reins next time so I have a "snaffle" option.


On Nov 19, 2008, at 9:37 AM, Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/ 
SGSLF wrote:

> Thanks, Elizabeth - I have heard that before.  My mare also has race
> brain and I'm glad you mentioned this S-hack doesn't appear to work  
> that
> well in this case.  I'm curious, what bit were you using that was
> pinching his tongue?  What did you end up using for the 'race-brain'
> rides then?
> Carrie
>
> I think the only way you will know is to try. I tried Caisson in an S-
> hack after Tejon 2007 -- the bit I was using pinched the sides of his
> tongue against his teeth, and I needed something different. The S-  
> hack
> worked (mostly) in training rides, but in an actual ride is different.
> He bolted with it 4 times during the Bar-H ride, and I decided that it
> just wasn't going to work for him. :) In a low- stress situation, it
> works fine - but then anything works fine with him in a low stress
> situation. Once his race-brain kicks in, its a whole different  
> ballgame.
>
>
>
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