Changed to a French link snaffle, now very heavy in the mouth...

[Charla]

I had my youngster in a single jointed snaffle right from being broken and he's always been ok in it, but various people have suggested I change it to a French link as the action it softer on the mouth. I bought a French link and rode him in it yesterday and found he was doing things he had never done before. He was very 'heavy' in the mouth, leaning constantly and either had his head pulled down very low or very high in the air when he normally has good, fairly constant head carriage. How long does it take for a horse to 'get used' to a bit? Do I continue to school him in this? Or do I go back to the single jointed snaffle that he was already going nicely in? Opinions please!

 

[Freya]

I had my youngster in a single jointed snaffle right from being broken and he's always been ok in it

Or do I go back to the single jointed snaffle that he was already going nicely in? Opinions please!

Think your answer is already in your question, why fix something that isn't broken

 

[*hic*]

^^^^^ That

 

[Charla]

Thank you both!

 

[Louby]

Id go back to the old bit.
If he really doesnt like it then you risk him developing other habits like tongue over the bit etc as an evasion and they can be hard to cure.

 

[aintgotnohay]

put him back in the original bit-sometimes peeps dont know wot they talking about.
why should you put him in a french link snaffle???

 

[ISHmad]

Agree with the other posters, if it isn't broken don't fix it. Ignore the know it alls, you know your horse best.

 

[Holly Hocks]

Stick with what works! I tried my TB mare in a french link after a single link and she did similar to yours... went very heavy and unsettled...I went back to a single link and she was fine.