A Bitting question for you experts.

[WelshRareBit]

Murphy seems to prefer his french link DG to his copper inlay D ring snaffle, I am lead to believe this could be for two reasons (as its most certainly not because its a softer bit in genera - or is it???l):
1) The french link is kinder that the one link in the D ring
2) The DG is wider(thicker) than the D ring therefore kinder

I would like to ride him in a snaffle whenever possible - so would it be beneficial to try and get him a french link snaffle?

If so should I have a fixed or loose ring, which would be nicer for him (loose ring I believe?)

Thanks!!

 

[K27]

The french link would remove pressure from the tongue- a normal snaffle has a nutcracker on the tongue and not all horses like the action.
The Dutch gag may make your horse softer/ not so strong has it exerts poll pressure to lower the horses head. I would recommend a snaffle with a lozenge ie a sprenger or neue schule training bit or a plain french link snaffle in a suitable size for your horse ie not too big and not too small. A fixed ring on a bit can some times make a horse feel just that ie fixed- a loose ring will have the opposite action and the majority of horses do go well in a loose ring however there's always the exception! could your trainer help you? if not pm me and I can give you the tel no of a helpful lady that runs a bit company.

 

[najat]

It could be he prefers the french link as it would lie better in his mouth. I would try a loose ring, but if he really likes the DG perhaps a hanging cheek?

 

[WelshRareBit]

Its not so much he's not so strong, he's just quieter, less fiddling about etc. I think he might like a hanging cheek are they Ok to school in etc?

 

[alicep]

i use a three ring DG but it has a lozenge! i have no idea what is offical name is but my mare is so soft and light in the mouth with it and i dont believe its very harsh but i have light still hands

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

sorry to be thick but what does 'dg' stand for !!!!???

 

[K27]

Dutch gag! I know- I had to think about it!

 

[CentrestageSHS]

I would try a loose ring french link. You can get different thicknesses depending on how strong your horse is. All of the brand name dressage bits are good but very expensive. To see if your horse likes this style of bit try the cheaper cyprium range, they are very cheap and just as effective.
I have found with the hanging cheek that horses seem to go really well in them at first but then start to lean and fix their jaw a bit, but they are dressage legal so could be worth a try