Bit Question

[sarahmagic]

I'm looking for a different bit for the horse I ride as I don't think he's happy in his current bit which is a rubber eggbutt snaffle. He plays with the bit constantly which is the reason he is in a rubber bit as the noise drove his owners mad! He also drops behind the bit when ridden and then pulls down to evade the contact. We also have steering issues as he is quite green so I was thinking of a full cheek french link snaffle like this one.

But because of his pulling I was thinking I would need a loose ring snaffle - I can't find a loose ring one with full cheeks thats also a non-metal mouth and a french link! What do people think?

 

[KatB]

Him pulling down is probably due to discomfort in some way. Is it single jointed he is in at the mo? The bit you have shown is a kind bit and should be easily accepted.

 

[flyingfeet]

That's a nice bit - double jointed, soft and with added steering for babies.

The other alternative is a straight Nathe, which is going back to basics, but can solve problems.

However you may need to check space as the drawback with synthetic bits is that most are around 18mm + mouthpeice, which can be too thick for some horses.

 

[sunny123]

If you want my honest opinion i absalutly hate that bit! Well not that type of bit, just the happy mouth version! Im not saying that your horse will not like it though, i just dont like it and nor have my horses. I dont like it because the joints are so small that they pinch and its not smooth where the happy mouth bit is attatched to the joints so i dont think it can be very comfy. The horse that i used it on used to hold his bit on one side of his mouth down to a tooth problem that he had had years before, but it meant that the joint sat on the corner of his mouth so was really pinchy and he hated it. The joint is so wide that this is the case with alot of horses not just him, so you really have to make sure that it is the right size as if it is slightly too big then this will happen. I think nathe might do a full cheek french link snaffle and their bits are so much nicer! Not sure if they do a fulmer version or not, i will have a looksie!

 

[sarahmagic]

KatB - Yes he's in a single jointed at the mo so I thought he might not like the nutcracker action and maybe a french link would be better.

What are everyone's opinions on the roller in the middle - how does it differ in action to a normal metal link?

 

[KatB]

Its softer than a french link as doesnt have an edge to it...

Personally prefer the lozenges to the traditional french link type bit

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

funny you should say that your horse had problems in it because I bought one for mine and it rubbed her mouth raw within about 15mins despite the fact that it was the correct size.

I bought keepers (dunno if this is the correct term but those figure of 8 things that attach to the noseband from the cheeks) for it as well but it made no difference.

I think maybe there is something off about the design.

 

[sarahmagic]

I think I'll try and get hold of a nathe one then. Does anyone know any good online stockists (or any near York)?

 

[oaktree]

noseband?should be cheekpieces!

 

[vickers22]

i had exactlt the same problem with a happy mputh i bought, really rubbed the corner of his mouth until it was bleeding and left a sore cut-never used it again!but i think the losenge is a good idea.