confussion on bits, someone please explain :)

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Welshie Squisher

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Hey all you knowledgeable bit people:D

I have seen on websites the hanging cheek snaffle, or this is what it is called.

My friend also uses one and I have questioned how it can be a snaffle if it exerts poll pressure, yet she is quite right in that the bit is called a hanging cheek snaffle and is sold as so.

Is it spot the deliberate mistake, or am I wrong in thinking a snaffle bit only acts on the actual mouth area?
Or does this bit have a totally different action I am unfamiliar with?

Confused :(
 
I use a hanging cheek snaffle and would say that it exerts very little poll pressure because the cheek pieces of the bridle 'bag out' when the bit comes into play.
 
So no poll pressure. Well this is why I am confused because the person who uses it insists it exerts poll pressure so I've been arguing it can't be a snaffle if it does. But she's also insisted it is a snaffle........

Tis no wonder I am confused lol
 
Quite right, no poll pressure from a hanging cheek :) it lifts the mouth piece in the mouth (sort of towards the horse's ears a tad) to stabilise it and hold it stiller in the mouth.

J&C
 
There is no poll pressure with a Hanging Cheek (Baucher) bit.

To have poll pressure the mouthpiece needs to be held down in the horses mouth and for the rein to be fixed below the level of the mouthpiece; so that when the rein is applied the bit tilts and increases pressure on the poll.

Bits with poll pressure are all curb bits with curb chains and shanks.
 
It was probably invented TO exert poll pressure... some thoughtful person imagined if they gave it a lever it would bring a stargazing pony's head down. Well, it would if there were a curb chain and straight mouthpeice... but then, that would make it a kimblewick wouldn't it... ah well, lets sell it anyway. Someone's going to buy it :rolleyes: includng me!!! :D
 
SpruceRI said:
I use a hanging cheek snaffle and would say that it exerts very little poll pressure because the cheek pieces of the bridle 'bag out' when the bit comes into play.
Click to expand...


If the cheek pieces bulge out then the bit is to low in the horses mouth.

When a bit is int he horse's mouth it will act on the bars, the tongue, roof of the mouth, lips, cheeks and poll.
The hanging cheek or Baucher as it was always known does act to a mild extent on the poll.

Put the bit on a piece of string and put that over your shoulder so the bit is about 3 inches below your arm pit. Put your arm over the bit and close your arm against your side and get someone to pull on the reins and you will get some idea of the action it has.
With a curb bit, put the bar of the bit across your shin and do the chain up around your calf and fee the action of that against your shin.

Might shock some of you.
 
Foxhunter49 said:
If the cheek pieces bulge out then the bit is to low in the horses mouth.

When a bit is int he horse's mouth it will act on the bars, the tongue, roof of the mouth, lips, cheeks and poll.
The hanging cheek or Baucher as it was always known does act to a mild extent on the poll.

Put the bit on a piece of string and put that over your shoulder so the bit is about 3 inches below your arm pit. Put your arm over the bit and close your arm against your side and get someone to pull on the reins and you will get some idea of the action it has.
With a curb bit, put the bar of the bit across your shin and do the chain up around your calf and fee the action of that against your shin.

Might shock some of you.
Click to expand...

Sorry Foxhunter49 - you are incorrect about the action of the Baucher. Correctly fitted the cheeks of the bridle on ALL snaffle bits slacken because the action of the reins on the bit is to draw it upwards and back. NO POLL PRESSURE!

This is why you get poll pressure with a curb bit because the curb chain HOLDS the bit down in the mouth allowing the leverage action to happen and poll pressure to be exerted.

The action of the Baucher is to be held still in the horses mouth, to assist in preventing the horse from getting its tongue over the bit. The bit works on the lips, and bars. A bit can only work on the roof of the mouth if the mouothpiece is rotated upwards - very hard to do and more likely to happen if a running martingale is used.
 
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