Myler bits and combinations. Are they worth it?

[wabuska]

I'm a dunce when it comes to biting, but I'm intriqued by Myler combinations and their comfort snaffles.

Experiences? Tell us what you're using and how you find it.

[mollymoo]

Otto came with a Myler snaffle but I really didnt like it and didnt think he went well in it. However I have known alot of eventers go really well in Myler Combinations.

[touchstone]

I put Thomas in a Myler combination after his owner was having difficulty with rein aids due to arthritis in her hands and Thomas had severe problems with bitting. Before he came to us he had been ill treated and I'm pretty sure hauled about by his mouth as he was driven as well as ridden.

The owner before us (not the ones who'd ill treated him) had put him in a Dr Bristol with a tongue tie and flash noseband and all he did was obsess about getting his tongue over the bit permanently. We tried a french link snaffle, mullen mouth pelham and removed the tongue tie and noseband but he still wasn't comfy.

I initially suggested a hackamore but his owner wasn't keen as she was worried about control, so we opted for the comfort mouth mbo4 mouthpiece.

Once we tried the bit he was literally a different horse and seemed obviously more comfortable.

It looks pretty severe, but because it acts on the nose first I think it is kinder than it looks. Thomas is happy so that is all that matters anyway! I think it is the type of bit that horses will either take to or hate, Bonnie hates nose pressure so I wouldn't bother trying it on her, so I would recommend a trial rather than buying one outright.

Sorry that this has turned into a bit of an essay!

[june]

We had a Myler bitting clinic at the yard a couple of years ago. It was excellent. I bought a couple of different Mylers - a high and low ported comfort snaffle and a ported pelham. The horses liked them a lot more than they liked the bits they had been in. However, since then I've stopped using the Mylers as all the horses we have prefer the Rockin S. I've got one in the ported Rockin S and all the others (20 or so) in the Rockin S French link and so far that is the bit they appear to find the most comfortable.

[Deleted]

Just on the "are they worth it" question, I would say the right bit for a horse is worth the money. If you're comparing to a £20 snaffle, £70 for a bit is a lot of money. However, I believe the extra is really worth paying to get something good quality and above all something that you horse will thank you for. £50 more isn't that much for a happy horse, is it?

[nicxf]

I ride my rather pushy youngster in one of these: full cheek comfort snaffle with copper roller. He seems to go pretty well in it - he's responsive (when he's in the right mood, anyway), and he doesn't object to having it put in his mouth - and as he's a pony who is very happy to show violent objection to anything he disapproves of (e.g. if he doesn't like a saddle, or doesn't want a rug putting on), I'm happy that he's happy with it. If that makes sense. ;D

[cinnypony]

I was v lucky to be lent a nearly new myler comfort snaffle - suits Cinny well as she has a small mouth and a fat tongue.

We ride mostly with little contact and have been v happy with it - as we did buy it....

[Azrael]

I've got an MB04 with hanging cheeks for Roxy and its well worth the money because I actually have something resembling brakes in it! For a horse that doesn't have any problems in a snaffle I wouldn't bother but I think they're good bits and worth a try for some horses.

[sara]

I've got a myler comfort snaffle. It was the first snaffle that Lloyd would tolerate in his mouth. Honestly worth the money. They do a loan system so you can try it out, as they are expensive

[lisap]

I have got the reputation as being obsessed with bits (can't think why, there must only be about 70 of my bits hanging up in the tack room...), and I am very confident about fitting most types of bits to horses. However, I would only use a Myler trained bitting specialist to fit a Myler bit to one of the horses with the exception of the very soft and straightforward comfort snaffle. There is a real art to fitting the right Myler to the right horse. Some of the Mylers can be *extremely* severe and operate by pressure onto the tongue, causing the horse to flex away from the pressure - this is not accepting the contact, but avoiding it. Some riders will mistake this for the horse being light in the hand. I'm far from being anti-Myler, in fact two of my favourite bits are the hanging cheek comfort snaffle, and the D ring comfort snaffle. However, I still had both bits fitted by a specialist to the horse and pony who wear them.

[feemac]

My little Tb tried just about every bit under the sun and has been in the myler full cheek low comfort port for 10 years in cavesson and no martingale. I do use the short shank low comfort port combination from time to time on other horses. I would take lisap's advise and get a myler specialist in I had advise from Heathers bit bank on them. It will save you money in the long run.

[ruthp]

I had a lot of trouble with Bali napping a while ago, and her nap was to spin and run, which was pretty dangerous when on the road. So I tried various different bits and bridles, including Dr Cook to try and stop the spin. I sought lots of advice, and finally tried a Myler Combination, and we haven't looked back since.

Interestingly she was quite difficult to tack up before I had the Myler, and now she takes the bit with no trouble. She is also much more relaxed, but if she does try anything silly she quickly finds that it's not worth it. As far as I am concerned it was definitely worth the money.

[wendyihts]

I've got a loose ring comfort snaffle for Rubi and he seems to go really well in it. He's loose in his mouth without chomping excessively and he seems to reach forward for the contact in it too. The loose ring has 'C' sleeves, which act a bit like a Fulmer cheek, so good for steering when he spooks. But definitely trial one before you buy! And all the better if you can get someone to fit it for you too.

[wabuska]

In Ireland! Fat chance! Saddle fitters are unheard of... sigh.

[wendyihts]

LOL Yeah, I forgot that for a moment. You're as well served for horsey stuff where you are as I am where I live...