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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Gait Bit™ Discussions > Please help me figure this out! |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Gait Bit™ Discussions > Please help me figure this out! |
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| Please help me figure this out! | Rating: 
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 05:37 pm |
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1st Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand 
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JanB, so glad you finally got things figured out. Thank you for the advise about getting teeth floated. It goes to show us that just because our horses are young, doesn't mean they need their teeth checked.
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 04:55 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand 
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Jan, to address your question about the older bits being smaller... I know that originally the bit had the same stainless mouth but the shanks were round black steel. Then Brenda had the shanks made of stainless like the mouthpiece and that looked much nicer. (I bought from her at that time) Then there was a manufacturer that cheapened the way the ctr. joint was assembled w/o authorization and he was dropped. At this time a new maker was found and I bought another bit. This mouthpiece seemed to have more of a kink at the bend and not that smooth flowing bend, but it was the same width and my horses didn't do anything differently. Now I see the latest ones have that smooth bend again & are looking real nice. So don't sweat it, they'll work just fine no matter which one you've got o.k.? Oh, just don't buy a real cheap look-a-like off of ebay. They have the cheapened joint that will wear out real fast. It's not Brenda's bit. Get 'em from National Bridle Shop and you can't go wrong.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 04:10 pm |
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3rd Post |
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JanB G.O.G Community Member
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I'm back to report on what the vet found when she 'did' Rio's teeth. Let's just say that she definitely found the problem and it WAS his teeth. Bless his heart! His teeth on the side he was chewing the bit on were awful. She showed my sister and I what was going on. The teeth were VERY pointed and sharp on the right side and the poor guy must have had to chew on just the left side of his mouth when he ate. The left side was mostly okay and fairly even. The vet did a great job of filing down the pointed ends and even worked on the front teeth to be sure ALL of Rio's teeth were good and that he was closing down properly, etc. He was sedated and did very good during the procedure. My sister will go back to her Imus bit now and I think we are going to see a lot of difference in Rio's performance. People, PLEASE check out your horses's teeth if you are having bit problems. At least start with your 'horse' and then move on to searching for different bit advantages or disadvantages. Thanks, Dr. Suzy Lange!!!! tu1 Last edited on Tue Oct 19th, 2010 04:12 pm by JanB |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17th, 2010 08:49 pm |
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4th Post |
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SunnysMum G.O.G Community Member 
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I have one of the origional smaller ones and I've had it for well over four years now. Never thought about changing it, mine is still in great condition and holding up really well. only time I ever use a different bit is when I'm jumping since I can't use the IMUS for jumping and don't have the IMUS training bit yet.
____________________ Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 17th, 2010 06:23 pm |
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5th Post |
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JanB G.O.G Community Member
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Thanks for all the suggestions. The 'dentist' is coming Monday and I'll report on what she finds. Just as another short question on this same topic, has anyone had the older/smaller 'original' bit and then had to switch to the current one that is larger? Just wondered if this would facilitate a transition period or do they just take right to the bigger bit? Tells you that I haven't tried anything but an ICB on my horse and don't want to. Why am I nervous about the change in size and that my horse may not do as well in it? In other words, I don't want to upset the apple cart and, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!? Can we still buy the older bits somewhere? I'd just like to stock up! lol t2 Last edited on Sun Oct 17th, 2010 06:24 pm by JanB |
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| Posted: Sat Oct 16th, 2010 03:41 pm |
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6th Post |
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SunnysMum G.O.G Community Member
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They also make ones that have a slice and velcro now, so you don't have to dislocate your shoulder just to get them on,lol.
____________________ Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 05:25 pm |
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7th Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand
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I have a couple different ICB including the most recent one offered. My horse grabs the shank also. He does this just on one side when I ask him to move out or we are in the back and he gets nervous. I have come to the conclusion it is mostly a habit. I do have bit guards on both sides and it helps but doesn't eliminate the problem, he just can't get as much in his mouth with the guards. If you do use bit guards, soak them in boiling water just about 10 seconds or so and believe it or not they stretch and go right in place.
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 04:48 pm |
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8th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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Remember that there is copper inlaid into the back of the mouthpiece on each side. I had a gelding that loved to chew the copper roller, may be that he's going for the inlays instead. May be just a habit. May be discomfort caused by wolf teeth that are just under the gum and haven't erupted yet. I'd start with a visit from an equine dentist or vet and go from there. I really doubt that the bit can be too large. I've used it on small finely built Paso Fino's & had it stick out a lot on each side and they worked good in it. May need to make certain that the bridle is set to be very even on each side to keep it level in his mouth. Just a thought.;) Last edited on Fri Oct 15th, 2010 04:52 pm by Lakota |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 01:48 pm |
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9th Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss 
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Here's a good article!One approach that many trainers are finding extremely valuable is to have young horses' mouths examined and any needed dental work done before training even begins. It prevents youngsters from becoming overly sensitive about their mouths unnecessarily. This allows more control early on and reduces the risk of the development of bad habits in the bridle. http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/horsenet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=31
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 07:02 am |
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10th Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss
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You may eliminate the possibility of size difference by trying your smaller bit on Rio to see if it helps. If not, I doubt bit guards would help either. Initially, I would suspect something is up in the mouth. Do be mindful that mouth issues can be missed. You might want to have sis show the vet her bit and question installing a bit seat. Also, check the tongue, gums, lips and bridle teeth usually come in at his age, too. When Taylor cut her bridle teeth, she chewed A LOT.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 02:58 am |
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11th Post |
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TN Trailrider G.O.G Community Member 
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I wonder if the rubber bit guards would help. They would take up the extra room between the edge of the bit and his lip and perhaps keep it from slipping around so much.
____________________ Lynne |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14th, 2010 09:47 pm |
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12th Post |
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liteshodwalkers G.O.G Community Member 
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JanB, My first instinct is either teeth problems or the bit may be sitting crooked in his mouth. Believe me, I am no pro or expert. Has your sister had his teeth checked/floated since she has had him? If not this could be the problem. I suggest she inform the equine dentist of this on-going problem and let him/her do a very thorough exam. They may ask her to put the bit in his mouth so they can actually see what is going on. Again, I am just making suggestions. Another suggestion is maybe the bit isn't high enough in his mouth and this is allowing too much play and/or it is hitting his teeth? I'm sure our PB will chime in and give you much better suggestions/advice. Please let us know how you all make out after the dentist visit. bonnie
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| Posted: Thu Oct 14th, 2010 04:52 pm |
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13th Post |
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JanB G.O.G Community Member
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I am posting this after doing a lot of reading in this particular forum. I think I found my answer regarding the difference in the ICB my horse has vs my sister's ICB which is larger than mine. Seems the bit has been redesigned a few times since I bought mine. I LOVE my ICB and so does my horse. (I hope it doesn't wear out any time too soon because I don't really want to buy a new one that he will have to get use to because it is now bigger.) My question and confusion comes from how my sister's horse reacts to the ICB. 'Rio' chews the bit SO bad. Actually, he doesn't seem to be chewing on the copper roller ball, he is chewing on one SIDE of the bit. The right side of the bit is marked up where he chews on it so heavily. We thought possibly the bit was too large for him since his nose/mouth is not as wide as my horse's mouth. I know the bit is designed for movement back and forth but is it possible that the bit can be too large for some horses? I can see a good inch of the mouthpiece beyond the corners of his mouth on the side he is chewing on. Any other ideas of why he chews on one side of the bit would be greatly appreciated. I will admit that Rio is slightly 'high-strung' but he has not always been this bad at chewing his bit as he is now. My sister is having his teeth checked in a few days and they will be floated if necessary. Rio is 6 yrs. old and was a 'show' horse for a short while before my sister bought him. That was two years ago so he has settled down a lot. Any ideas??
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| Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Gait Bit™ Discussions > Please help me figure this out! | Top |
