Confused over what bit to buy....any advice?

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ChestnutConvert

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I'm waning to change from an eggbutt snaffle as i feel he doesn't like the action of it if i ever have to use the reins a little bit harder. I'm lookng at Lozenge or french link but have got a little lost....

He isn't particularly strong but does lean and chew on the bit. He is also pretty simple to ride, wears a grackle that i'm going to try to lose and a martingale. I've also seen 'peanut rollers' and wondered what that would do?
One last thing, Is there much diff between an eggbutt and a loose ring??
As you might guess it's been quite a while since i had to choose bits and there are so many now!
 
The difference between eggbut and loose ring is that horses that like to lean are more likely to do so on the fixed eggbut, rather than on a loose ring bit.
Are you using a single-jointed eggbut snaffle? Although they are traditional, they are not suitable for many horses, as the joint pokes them in the soft palate. When used with a grackle/flash/drop noseband to keep the mouth closed, this action is made even more uncomfortable. I'm a bit wary of the peanut bits as they seem to me to be quite fixed and liable to poke the soft palate as well.
IMO, your best course of action to try a few bits from a bit bank and see which one your horse goes best in. I personally like slim mullen-mouthed bits, but I ride big horses with fleshy mouths and fat tongues. Yours might have completely different conformation.
 
Yes he is in a single jointed and you are right about his mouth being held tight he definitely doesn't seem to like this combination.I will have a try of a few, give them a fair try and see how i go.
Sounds like a loose ring might be better as well, thanks.
 
A french link loose ring is a good place to start for many horses. Something like this in sweet iron http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...Snaffle_copper_french_link_bradoon-(783).aspx or if your horse has a large tongue, something like this to give a bit more space for the tongue http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=467 My mare has a very 'normal' tongue (if there is such a thing!) but still gets on an awful lot better in a bit shaped to allow her tongue space. This one is more expensive than other more standard loose ring options, but I must say with the improvement in my mares way of going I would say it's more than worth its weight in gold!!
You may want to tweek what you use in time, but I think generally you really can't go far wrong with these bits!
 
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