Bit experts - a query....

[sloulou]

Just a quick one....

New horse is 5 yrs old - ridden in a eggbutt snaffle before I got him (with plain cavesson noseband).

So - I put him in a NS full cheek demi anky (Because it was the only snaffle I had

) and cavesson noseband... (But I haven't put the keepers on - which maybe I should?)

Am wondering - would it actually be better to have him in a loose ring snaffle? Perhaps with a lozenge? He isn't strong and has a relatively small mouth. He doesn't seem all that bothered by what bit he wears. But obviously I want him in something really mild and that will help him stay soft in the mouth.

Would a loose ring - be better/ softer?

 

[KatB]

Loose rings have a bit of movement in them which can help keep an active mouth and can be good with horses who are a bit "dead". However, if he is happy in what you have him in, why change it? A bit will only be severe at th end of a severe hand, and they will tell us if they are unhappy!!

 

[sloulou]

Yes - you are right - why change it

I think I overly analyze

But I didn't get the other bit for him - just used it as it was handy

guess i will just go with it...

What abotu the keepers for the cheeks - should I put them on? or does that make the action very different? Used to use them on previous horse...

 

[KatB]

I use a full cheek without them, with them just suspends the bit in their mouths. WIth a Demi anky on a small mouthed horse, I wouldnt personally as you will find it touches the roof of his mouth

 

[sloulou]

Thank you

 

[kerilli]

just check that your NS full cheek demi-anky is curved the right way... mine isn't, and actually curves against the bars of the mouth,must've been made the wrong way! have a look at it from above.
if it's curved the right way, it's fine... would be more stable with keepers, no rotation at all. full cheek single-joint is a very very nice bit for a young horse.

 

[KatB]

I tried one and mine was the same Kerilli. I thought it was meant to give slight bar pressure but give more tongue/swallowing room?

 

[Muddywellies]

The nicest one ive found so far for my very fussy gelding is the Korsteel John Patterson bit which is curved. I use the simple loose ring snaffle but the mouthpiece is quite slim and as I said, its curved, so seems to allow more room in there. Very cheap bit but simple and kind to the horse. Incidentally, Ive tried absolutely everything, including Mylers, which he hated.

 

[KatB]

I jump mine in a JP full cheek. He seems to accept it well.

 

[sloulou]

[ QUOTE ]
just check that your NS full cheek demi-anky is curved the right way... mine isn't, and actually curves against the bars of the mouth,must've been made the wrong way! have a look at it from above.
if it's curved the right way, it's fine... would be more stable with keepers, no rotation at all. full cheek single-joint is a very very nice bit for a young horse.

[/ QUOTE ]

oh - I'll check.... Thanks, am glad it sounds ok as a bit for him tho

 

[sloulou]

[ QUOTE ]
The nicest one ive found so far for my very fussy gelding is the Korsteel John Patterson bit which is curved. I use the simple loose ring snaffle but the mouthpiece is quite slim and as I said, its curved, so seems to allow more room in there. Very cheap bit but simple and kind to the horse. Incidentally, Ive tried absolutely everything, including Mylers, which he hated.

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds similar to the demi anky? Is it?

 

[KatB]

Yes, a very subtle difference in the shape, my boy like sth JP but not the Demi, but if yours likes the demi, stick with it!

 

[kerilli]

KatB, i think it's a bit too extreme for that tbh. it actually curves the wrong way where it leaves the full-cheeks, and i think would give a bit more bar pressure than the rider would intend, all the time. i prefer the JP shaped ones, or the mylers that are straightish, than the NS that curves against the bars, i think.