Bit guards, necessary ?

[JaneSteventon]

Hello Have just purchased two loose ring french links and bit guards. As i have always used eggbutts i have never used bit guards before but always thought you needed them with loose rings to stop pinching, however a friend said she never uses them with her loose rings and the bits have never pinched. Would just like to know what other people think as i did wonder myself if they where really necessary.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Not necessary, unless bit does pinch.

 

[eekmon]

I always use them as ' a just in case'

When using anything loose ring! Though I know people who use loose rings without them with no ill effect!

 

[PapaFrita]

Depends a bit on the bit. One of mine does pinch without the guards, others don't...

 

[pixiebee]

i use them with all loose rings, to be honest the cost of them is so cheap it doesnt matter if they are not needed but allways good to have incase. i especially wont ride in a gag without them because of the twisting action the likeliness of pinching is very high. i however have ridden in a wilkie without using any. conclusion i think is there is no harm in sticking them on anyway, wouldnt be nice if the horses lips did get pinched.

 

[pixiebee]

excuse my muddled reply, too late for me!!

 

[RunToEarth]

I used to use them on mine with Eric, but this season the guards rubbed him when they got wet.

 

[LEC]

I have never used them - but if I had to would change the bit as they are not dressage legal and the hassle of getting them on and off would be too much for a lazy sod like me!

 

[PapaFrita]

[ QUOTE ]
I have never used them - but if I had to would change the bit as they are not dressage legal

[/ QUOTE ]
Really? Why on earth not? Or is it just one of those things that no one can really explain (like bandages/boots)?

 

[KatB]

Because they could be those bit brush things that stop horses leaning on one side. To a judge theyd be almost indistinguishable!!

 

[RunToEarth]

Oh yes, KatB you are full of logic

 

[PapaFrita]

Ohhhh! I see

Thanks

 

[KatB]

Is that what you call it??! Some say useless information!!

 

[kerrylou123]

I'd never used bit quards (i don't think they look nery nice) until i started riding my tb. She's so thin skinned that her bit rubbed her raw.

 

[helenandshadow]

[ QUOTE ]
I used to use them on mine with Eric, but this season the guards rubbed him when they got wet.

[/ QUOTE ]
I found that too, took them off and the bit didn't pinch at all.

 

[_jetset_]

I used bit guards on Hannah and it gave her a rash because she mouths up so much it all went funny underneath... plus they are not dressage legal so wouldn't be able to use them anyway.

I recommend buying a loose ring a bit bigger than you would a snaffle. That is what I did when I bought my Nueue Schule bit and it hasn't rubbed her once.

 

[flyingfeet]

IMHO bit guards are only necessary to stop the bit being pulled through the mouth.

If your bit is chaffing it's too small, end of story.

All of mine are 6"+ mouths.
If I tried to squeeze them into 5.5" bits (the 'regular' size) I would definitely need guards to stop them being pinched & rubbed.