Fulmer snaffle alternatives, any ideas?

[Tiddlypom]

It turns out that Tammy is an old fashioned girl at heart. I know that single jointed snaffles are deemed old hat these days because of the nutcracker action, but when I popped this fulmer snaffle on her yesterday her relief was obvious to see. Who needs all those fancy KK ultras, verbindends etc. that I was using on her because they are more subtle/clever/humane etc?

I’d happily keep her in in this bit except that the long cheeks worry me. I have known of nasty accidents in which a horse has accidentally caught the cheeks on something, pulled back and .

Can any kind HHOers suggest a bit with a very similar action, but which has more support that a simple eggbutt snaffle? She clearly likes the feel of the cheeks and the stability that they give, it’s just their potential for getting us in a pickle that puts me off them.

 

[Fleece Navidad]

D ring?

 

[ester]

or a hanging cheek perhaps?
F always preferred a single joint (loose ring).

 

[eggs]

loose ring single jointed snaffle ?

 

[shortstuff99]

Use fulmer keepers then they can't get caught.

 

[ihatework]

My giant much happier in his old school single joint fat hollow mouth!

The good thing is you can pick up single joint bits for ten a penny!

Might be worth trying the mouthpiece in a D ring and a hanging cheek, but otherwise I’d just stick to the fulmer if that is what she likes.

 

[cobgoblin]

I can't think of anything that retains the single joint, loose rings and stability of the cheek pieces... You could have ends of the cheek pieces cut off and smoothed down I suppose... Might start a trend!

Stubben make a golden wing loose ring snaffle, but it's got a double joint.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve never seen or used in the flesh but something like this?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3235358761...MIvIm4xpqW4wIV14TVCh0qzwUrEAQYDiABEgIjoPD_BwE

 

[EnduroRider]

One of these (but horrifically expensive!)? https://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=626

 

[Pippity]

Could rubber bitguards give her something of the same feel?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Could rubber bitguards give her something of the same feel?

Mmmm... yes, that is an idea!

I ride my youngster in a double joined Fulmer, she goes well in it and the cheek pieces give that added stability and reassurance for a youngster IMO.

Hadn't thought about the safety issues TBH, perhaps I should.

 

[supsup]

I used a Fulmer (no keeper) for years, and had no problems with it getting caught. Yes, you do need to supervise your horse, but IMO no more so than if you have a horse with shanks for example (Pelham, double bridle). Either way, if you have sticky-outy bits, they can get caught. But I don't know why people appear to see this as a greater risk in Fulmer bits than e.g. Pelhams. Just don't leave your horse unsupervised with the bridle on.

 

[catkin]

I’ve never seen or used in the flesh but something like this?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3235358761...MIvIm4xpqW4wIV14TVCh0qzwUrEAQYDiABEgIjoPD_BwE

My Welshie wore one of those - she liked it.
On the one we had the cheekpieces were a bit shorter and more rounded at the ends than a Fulmer. It sat fine with a cavesson noseband (but that might depend upon the horse's face shape).

 

[ihatework]

I used a Fulmer (no keeper) for years, and had no problems with it getting caught. Yes, you do need to supervise your horse, but IMO no more so than if you have a horse with shanks for example (Pelham, double bridle). Either way, if you have sticky-outy bits, they can get caught. But I don't know why people appear to see this as a greater risk in Fulmer bits than e.g. Pelhams. Just don't leave your horse unsupervised with the bridle on.

Yes I’m more than happy to use them! It’s just awareness really they can catch.

I tend to avoid using them as first bits on breaking/ very newly backed horses as, maybe wrongly, I perceive that is when then are most likely to do something daft and get them caught/panic if they do. Probably just me overthinking it though

 

[Fransurrey]

Hanging cheek would be my go to in this instance.

 

[scats]

I’d go for a hanging cheek.

 

[Nudibranch]

I'd also go for a hanging cheek.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Thanks all for the helpful replies, lots of good suggestions .

I have ordered bit loops, a Dee ring snaffle and a hanging cheek snaffle, and will play around with those in the first instance.

Tammy has a habit of rubbing her nose on her foreleg when ridden, though interestingly she didn’t do it once yesterday or today when she was in the fulmer... She wears hiviz leg wraps and scoot boots for road work, and I was worried that she could hook the fulmer cheeks on either/both of those.



Fingers crossed, she’s going and feeling so well for a wonky lady after her recent SI medication and chiro vet interventions, and I really want to crack on with her.

Thanks again.

 

[rara007]

A half spoon snaffle is designed exactly for this!

 

[Tiddlypom]

A half spoon snaffle is designed exactly for this!

I needed to google a half spoon snaffle! Thanks for the recommendation, and I can get a brand new Jeffries branded one in the right size for £12.95 on eBay .



I’ll see how we get on with what I’ve already got coming, but if they aren’t suitable I’ll order one of those. It would be the upper cheek of the fulmer that is likely to get caught on stuff, so that looks great. Thanks.

ETA. Chiro vet’s advice is to ride her on different surfaces, not just keep her to the road which I was doing. So I am taking her on and off the roadside grass verges, but only a metre wide strip has been mown, leaving the rest of the vegetation several feet tall. Just the right height for snacking on as you are being ridden along. We have had words about this. Another reason for a cheeked equivalent bit so that I can keep her head in front, not snaking round to the side to grab a mouthful. Embarrassing.