French Link too strong - what next?

RachelFerd

RachelFerd

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 April 2005
Messages
3,730
Location
NW
www.facebook.com
i have started Tia with a standard loose ring french link snaffle, as it's a bit that I have had lots of horses go nicely in. however, she is very very light in the mouth, and although she will seek the contact forwards, I am getting the feeling that she is finding it almost too strong for flatwork.

This isn't a particularly fat french link, and it is just a link rather than a lozenge - so I was thinking of trying a fatter lozenge bit - maybe with eggbut rings so there is less movement.

Someone else at the yard has suggested a rubber straight bar.

What do you think? Loose ring vs. Eggbut and Link/Lozenge versus straight bar? What should I try first?!
 
Maybe an eggbutt, I have always thought of them as milder because they are more fixed and there is less movement.
Have you considered trying a happymouth? Something like this maybe?
http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/Pro...age=3#sku.38155
Or this
http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/Pro...age=5#sku.37219
I know a TB mare and if she was in anything stronger than a happymouth she would go straight up!
Just be careful with a rubber straight bar as they can rub and are not suitable for horses with bigger tongues!
I hope this helps in some way!
Izzi xx
 
not had any luck with mylers before - although I know many people swear by them ... but from previous results, not going to try it unless someone on the yard can loan me one, with the pricetag they are
blush.gif


I think i'll try a thicker eggbutt with lozenge first.

What is the dressage-legal status of happy mouth bits?
 
Hiya, I would def try something fixed like an eggbut with a link, or a straigh bar rubber mouth type thing. My youngster has an extremly soft mouth and I found a french link almost too strong, she is now in a myler no hooks comfort snaffle and she loves it completly.
 
as far as i know they are dressage legal. my girl loves her happy mouth gag. they are really soft. I would put your horse in a happy mouth eggbut with a roller in the middle. amazing bits!
Hope it helps!
Luv Elle
x
 
Maybe she finds it vague or unsteady rather than too strong. My ID was very unsteady in the contact in a loose ring french link & only a little better in an eggbut. We played around with various things until we hit upon a full cheek mullen mouth which sits very still in his mouth with a very direct clear aid & very quickly he began to take a much more consistent & positive contact. The downside is he can occassionally lean on it but to be honest I'd rather deal with that on the rare occassion it happens than having him consistently dropping behind the contact & unsteady in the rein.

All you can do is borrow different types until you find something she likes. Sometimes it isn't what you'd expect, in theory my mullen mouth is all wrong for Jim but try telling him that!
 
my horse (now a 10 year old big ugly TB is v similar!) I've found what works for him is a happy mouth snaffle with a lozenge in the middle,but its a rotating lozenge if that makes sense? its like a roller for a lozenge! He's also gotten alot stronger in it since i've been lunging him with a pessoa! good luck!
 
That was not what I was suggesting. Sorry if you misunderstood. It was the happy mouth part of the bit not the cheek piece I was suggesting you try.

Was only trying to give an example of them being accepted!
frown.gif
 
Happy mouths get ridged and those links really pinch, the nathe material is much softer and smoother on the mouth.

You can get them at most bit banks
smile.gif
 
Kalli found the same thing. She's very sensitive mouth and was upset in a french link. Unfortunatly she becomes unresponsive and bullish when upset and ended up being hauled about to try and get her to do anything.

I played about with bits for ages to find one she likes.

The magic bit (low ported mullen, loose ring snaffle) is probably the mildest bit you can get IF they like it (which Kalli didn't). However the rings on a true magic bit are TINY and you can otherwise only get them as pelhams and kimblewicks.

Other one worth trying is a Korsteel JP curved single jointed. Thats what I now have Kalli in and she's sooo much happier. It's fairly slim so doesn't take up much room (but not thin enought to be severe) and it has a nice curve to it to eliminate the nut cracker action. Best of all, it's only £8 brand new if you buy the loose ring
laugh.gif
(which has a bend at the ends to stop the edge of the lips being pinched).
 
my horse was like this when he first came to me. dropped behind vertical in any jointed bits so hes in a happy mouth mullen mouth fulmer (only fulmer cos i needed one in his side quickly) and hes brilliant in it i use it for everything and hes novice eventing atm!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top