Which bit-less bridle would you suggest for a 22-year-old horse?

My Icelandic horse has horrible teeth, all black and worn, probably from munching on his bit. I do not think he suffers any pain, but I would like to prevent further wearing of his teeth.

Which bit-less bridle would you suggest for a 22-year-old horse?
Get an equine dentist to look in his mouth for goodness! Discoloured teeth are not down to the bit. The bit should not affect the teeth at all (with exception of the first premolar in performance horses) Thinking that he is not in pain is a ridiculous, irresponsible method of equine management.


With regard to bit-less try a western Bozle.
Reply:first of you need to get a vet or equine dental technician to check your horse out and make sure he isn't in pain. As far as bitless bridle go I use a hackamore noseband and find that good. The other one I've seen that looks good wraps around the horse's jaw and tightens when you pull and loosens when you release, but I haven't tried that one personaly.





With whichever one you do choses, introduce it to your horse on the ground and do some long reining in it so that your horse gets used to it. Also don't expect him to be as well schooled as normal to start with as it takes some time for them to get used to being ridden without a bit.





Your other option is to go for a soft bit. Happy mouth bits have a wire core wraped in a slightly soft material (couldn't tell you what) They are durably but flexable and shouldn't cause any abrasion - they are brilliant for mouthing a youngster and I used it to reintroduce a bit to my rescue who had had a really bad mouth when I got him. They do pretty much any bit you can think off made with the plastic wrap so it's soft and kind - the stuff also tastes of apples apparently.
Reply:Sounds like there could be something serious happening there... again a vet check is a good idea. Even if you ride in a hackamore for instance, it still may rub sharp teeth against his inner cheeks.. Pays to be safe rather than sorry eh..
Reply:Even if you think he is in no pain, get a dentist to see him.


Black teeth dont sound good. When did you last get a dentist to see him? You should definalty get the dentist or vet to see him, before you even consider a new bit or bitless bridle.
Reply:I agree that your horse needs a good dental exam.





As for bitless bridles...I find the Dr. Cook style interesting. I have the beta cut to make a bitless bridle for a horse I ended up placing in another home, but it's not quite like the Dr. Cook. It would still work off the poll, though.
Reply:If he's pretty well-broke and predictable, this fleece-lined hackamore would be nice. It has shorter shanks than most hackamores, and it's not as severe. If he's hardmouthed or likes to run, etc. you might want a longer shank, depending on what bit he's used to. Here's the fleece-lined short shank one: http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sk...





Here's a little-S rope "bit" (it's not a bit) that might be nice. There's also an Arabian sized one on this website, if you want a smaller one for your horse (not sure how big an Icelandic is, but they're smaller, right?) http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sk...





Good luck.
Reply:well if he is western a nice bosal will work. the bosal works on nose pressure but if he has a soft nose bridge or if he is a very "brittle" old horse, thats not advisible. if english those new bridleless jumping hackamores. really you should call your veternarian and see if he can get his teeth floated and maybe get a soft rubber bit, but he might chew that up fast too.
Reply:Start with Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle www.bitlessbridle.com. They are fully refundable if you don't like it for any reason. You only have to pay shipping to get it to you and back again. It is worth a try. It is a great bridle with excellent quality and workmanship. The design is superior to all the imitators out there.





I agree with the others to have a vet look into your horse's mouth. Doesn't sound good although I have a 24 year old mare who has worn her back teeth to almost nothing. Hay is becoming a problem for her but she is still fat and happy so I just up her senior feed and watch her closely.
Reply:You can also try this bridle - my friend uses it on her dressage horse:





http://www.bitlessbridle.com/
Reply:It is impossible for the bit to be the problem, but his environment could be the source, he may eat bark or soil for the minerals he needs as an older horse. The bit if fitted properly cannot touch the teeth. A hore of that age should see a dentist every six months so that should be your first job. But you do not need a bitless bridle to prevent tooth decay.

Beauty