Bits. Single jointed.

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve always disliked single jointed bits, I usually go for something with a lozenge or French link type mouth peice.
However after a bit of trial and (quite interesting!) error I’ve found a bit my horse seems happiest in. It’s a big fat single jointed rubber snaffle that’s a little bit too big!!!
He’s obviously happier in it.
Would you stick with? I’m wondering wether to look for similar with a double joint, if that exists.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

What kind of jaw does he have? there was an article I read the other day that said double jointed bits were less comfortable for horses with a narrow jaw. I tend to use what they like and having natives with next to no room in their mouths that means a peewee atm but I am not concerned with being dressage legal.

 

[Shay]

We had a 148 SJ'r like this. Like you I do not like single jointed bits and had been fairly outspoken against them because of the nut cracker action. But there was no doubt he preferred that action to a double joint despite my best efforts to convince him otherwise. If he is happier in it - stick with it.

 

[be positive]

I have had several that prefer a single jointed bit because their lower jaw is narrow which can mean the double joints end up on the bars rather than flat on the tongue, if a horse prefers something we think is not so comfortable should we really force them to accept our preferred bit or go with what they want. If a single jointed bit is fitted correctly and suits the horse it should not pinch the tongue or hit the roof of the mouth so I would stick with it for now.

 

[Goldenstar]

With bitting always listen to the horse.
They don’t always want to fit in with us

 

[Kat]

The Neue Schule demi anky might be worth a look, it is an ergonomic single jointed snaffle which eliminates some of the problems with standard single joints.

 

[scats]

Polly hates double jointed bits. She has a little narrow jaw so that could be the reason.
She’s much happier in a single jointed, but happier still in a Mullen mouth.

 

[ihatework]

Use whatever the horse is happy in, rather than what you ‘think’ they should be happy in

 

[Cortez]

With bitting always listen to the horse.
They don’t always want to fit in with us

This, always^^^

The action of any bit is also connected to the rider, so if it's action is pinching the responsibility lies with the operator as well as the equipment. Most horses were ridden in single jointed snaffles for most of the 20th century until we all rediscovered the double link version: there is no one-fits-all mouthpiece.

 

[Griffin]

I have a mare with a narrow jaw and she is much happier (at the moment at least) with a single jointed snaffle. I think if you look at some double jointed bits under 5", they look quite cumbersome. In comparison, I had a TB's larger French link looked much more comfortable. Interested in the NS Demi anky though.

 

[gunnergundog]

If it ain't broke, why try and fix it.....as they say?? Your horse is voting with his/her feet. Listen to him/her.

 

[splashgirl45]

i prefer the french link snaffles but my old mare didnt like double jointed bits so i had to use a single joint snaffle, it was more important that she was happy even though im not a fan if single jointed bits,,,

 

[Mule]

Strangely enough I've never used a single joint on mine. Just habit I suppose. I did change mine from a loose ring lozenge to a hanging cheek with a lozenge, in an effort to get him to stop leaning on my hands. Then I learned how to school him properly and changed back. He's much softer in the loose ring so I'm sticking with that.

 

[Leo Walker]

Mine went through a phase where he very obviously only wanted to be driven in a jointed pelham. It made me cringe using it but carried on as it was such a noticeable difference. I've now spent mega bucks and found a fancy sprenger that he likes. Its more for my sake than his!

 

[claret09]

I have been using a double jointed rotary snaffle for years with my boy. he loves it

 

[Auslander]

I've got an ancient single jointed eggbutt, with a curved mouthpiece (so much reduced nutcracker action). Every horse I've used it on has loved it!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I've got an ancient single jointed eggbutt, with a curved mouthpiece (so much reduced nutcracker action). Every horse I've used it on has loved it!

It's funny isn't it, as Cortez said, most horses were ridden in a single joint if in a snaffle, then those horrid fat snaffles came in. When I did my stages back in the 80s I knew what French links and dr bristols were but everything was in a single joint. It's good to have choices of course but it can't be that all those horses were unhappy in their mouths.

 

[pennyturner]

I think it's a shame that more people don't try a Cambridge. So many horses prefer no joint at all!

 

[be positive]

I think it's a shame that more people don't try a Cambridge. So many horses prefer no joint at all!

It has only recently become allowed for dressage so for many it was avoided for other options although the few I have tried one on found it a bit sharp and tended to back off so I tend to use a mullen mouth or nathe for mine.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I think it's a shame that more people don't try a Cambridge. So many horses prefer no joint at all!

I had one that didn't like any type of joint but he didn't like the cambridge-he loved the peewee however and my other two both seem to like it as well.

 

[SassieSoz]

Agree with Goldenstar and ihatework.

My boy at 17'2 has quite a short mouth and made it clear he didn't appreciate any joints whatsoever (although it took me a while to figure this out!!), so I tried a 6" straight bar stainless steel bit.
Yes, it's 1/4" too big, but he's more than happy in it. We have steering, brakes and a soft jaw.

Just go with whatever they're happy with - they're as individual as we are.