Jasper has been wearing a bit for almost a year now. I first started him in the bit just wearing it around the barn and in his stall for a while so he could settle with it. I decided to start him in a french link, because I thought this would be a good starting point to figure out what was going to work for him.

Anyone who knows Jasper knows that he is a pretty mouthy child, always mouthing everything he can get his lips on! He can often be caught looking like he is actually talking with how much his mouth is open! So I wasn’t surprised at how much he chewed on the bit in the beginning. What I wasn’t expecting is for this to carry on for so long!

Even though he did settle somewhat over the course of several months, Jasper just didn’t seem comfortable with the french link in his mouth. It would take a long time for him to warm up and quiet down, which would only last a short while regardless. He would also chomp away and get his mouth over the bit if I loosened it any, even though it looked tighter than you would think is really comfy.

I knew I needed to try a new bit, but I wasn’t sure where to go from there. That’s when I contacted Mindy from Chimacum Tack.

Mindy recommended the Bowman Victory Mouth bit, one she uses for her pony with the same problem! She explained that this bit has the tongue relief it seemed Jasper was looking for.

Pretty much as soon as Jasper got a hold of this bit, I knew things were looking good. He still mouthed it for a few minutes, but then stopped! He hardly mouthed it at all while we worked and again at a stand still he was totally quiet. SCORE!

On day two of trying our new bit, we went out on the trails and again, no chomping!! This really helped Jasper relax his jaw, because he didn’t have to fight with the pressure on his tongue, which results in a nice relaxed horse who can focus on the job ahead.

French Link Half Cheek vs. Victory Mouth Baucher Cheek

The picture below shows how the two bits are polar opposites when it comes to where the pressure is going to take effect in the horses mouth. Even without any rein aid at all, the french link is going to lie right on the tongue, while the victory mouth allows relief over the tongue.

The victory mouth also distributes even pressure over the bars of the mouth, while the french link has lot more action going on. There was simply too much movement in Jasper’s mouth for him to be comfortable.

The victory mouth even seems to just fit his mouth so much better! I had such a hard time figuring out the right way to fit the french link with Jasper’s bridle – if it was too loose he would immediately get his tongue over, and I obviously did not want it to be too tight! The photo on the left was the only way he would hold the bit without getting his tongue over, but it just does not even look comfortable. The photo on the right is the first try fitting the victory mouth, it’s like it was made for him! I believe this also has to do with the baucher cheek which helps hold the bit a little from moving so much. Keep in mind both of these bits are 4 inches and only have one wrinkle in the corner of his mouth.

Conclusion

In my opinion, the victory mouth baucher cheek is an A++! I would recommend giving it a try if your horse has an overly active mouth and needs that tongue relief. Of course, every horse is different, but it doesn’t hurt to at least try! I also really recommend contacting Chimacum Tack if you’re in search of a new bit but not sure which direction to go.