Explain the action of this bit

[Paint Me Proud]

Reading an american forum and this bit was mentioned http://www.bigdweb.com/Crit-Davis-Overcheck-Bit/productinfo/939/ - never heard of it before so read the description to see what it does.

Am i being thick, i cant work out how you would attach that to bridle and reins so that the 'u' flips up in the mouth when reins are pulled.

Can someone explain

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Well I'm not sure how birdies work inside a horses mouth so I can't help I'm afraid!

 

[alainax]

The link shows birds, wrong link?

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Or perhaps feathers would be kindest for Stewie's mouth?

 

[Illusion100]

I think the picture shows the bit as it would be shown if standing facing the horses head. The looped bar/plate in the middle of the bit would exert downwards pressure on the tongue when the reins are used. I imagine this bit may be used on a horse that flings it's head up when bit pressure is applied.

Or the bit is shown from the rider perspective in which case the bit would press into the upper soft palate, causing the horse to raise its head but from the design I think it would work by applying tongue pressure.

That said, I've not seen a bit like this so the above is a guess!

 

[NZJenny]

Looks like a western type bit to me. The "U" exerts downward pressure - as to the reason why, pass.

 

[alainax]

Just a guess at the American lingo.. "if the horse were to hog down too hard" I am guessing meaning to drop onto the forehand and duck btv, then the U would come up.

Since the aim of the western riders is to ride with little or no contact, then use that as a base.

So with no contact, in front of the V, this bit does nothing, in the v, same, behind the V drastically I will start to put pressure on the roof of the mouth - as the weight of the shafts drives it forwards, just marginal weight mind you, not pressure.

With contact this bit applies pressure the other way, which is probably why its confusing.

However they say " You will need a bit nose strap to use this over check." is that the missing link?

 

[_GG_]

I think the picture shows the bit as it would be shown if standing facing the horses head. The looped bar/plate in the middle of the bit would exert downwards pressure on the tongue when the reins are used. I imagine this bit may be used on a horse that flings it's head up when bit pressure is applied.

Or the bit is shown from the rider perspective in which case the bit would press into the upper soft palate, causing the horse to raise its head but from the design I think it would work by applying tongue pressure.

That said, I've not seen a bit like this so the above is a guess!

I actually says in the description that it is designed so that the "U" is forced up into the roof of the horses mouth when rein pressure is applied.

It also says that another piece of equipment is needed for fitting so that may explain how it attaches.

I hate the idea of it. Hate it!!!

 

[cremedemonthe]

It is designed to apply pressure to the roof of the mouth as others have said

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Its for standardbred driving horses. It may behtat they use bearing reins

 

[cobgoblin]

The bit is shown from the rider's perspective. The reins go in the lower hole so that pressure on them or if the horse drops its head causes the spoon to hit the roof of the mouth. The nose strap holds the bit up high in the mouth, goes across the nose and has a strap that extends up the head between the eyes and fixes onto the harness. I think it's only used for harness racing.

 

[MrsNorris]

What an appalling contraption, pity the horse that has one of those shoved in.....

 

[aintgotnohay]

americans are big fans of overcheck bits.this is an overcheck bit so most likely horse would have another bit in aswell.overcheck bits keep the horses head up and is generally fixed high.overchecks and bearing reins are similar but attatched differently via the mouth.