Dressage - Hanging Cheek Snaffle Question

[PetalPower]

First ever post! I wonder if I could pick the brains of the more experienced dressage people - I currently ride my Prelim level mare in a hanging cheek, French link snaffle. I recently overheard a dressage trainer and a dressage judge discussing the belief that on seeing such a bit being used, the assumption could be made that the horse had a difficult or fussy mouth. Whilst the comment wasn't made about my horse, I'm obviously concerned that she could be construed as difficult when she's not!! I would much appreciate your thoughts on this type of bit in dressage.

 

[KatB]

Welcome!

I have heard similar, but have also seen many horses go in these bits and get very good marks... so if it is what is best for your horse, I would stick with it!!

 

[_jetset_]

My mare is currently in one of these...

To be quite honest, a dressage judge should not really be assessing why the horse is in the particular tack/bit etc (unless of course it is not legal), rather that they should be assessing how the horse is going as a whole in keeping with the levels of training etc etc.

The bit is BD legal, therefore should not be questioned.

A loose ring can be helpful for horses who set on the bit and become inflexible in a fixed ring... are these looked at as horses that are stiff into the contact?

Don't worry about it... if your horse goes well than I say if it is not broke, then don't fix it

 

[millitiger]

i've actually never heard that before.

Pilfer wears one for dressage and is certainly not fussy in the mouth...
and he is regularly top 3 after dressage when we are eventing so i wouldn't worry too much about your marks being affected!

 

[Divasmum]

I do quite a lot of writing for judges. To be quite honest they are kept very busy looking at the way of going/movements etc and very rarely comment about tack either on or off the record.

 

[PetalPower]

Thank you all for the constructive comments, I can stop panicking now! I could get to like this forum malarkey!!