Hanging cheek or Eggbutt cheek piece?

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Lucky788

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What do you prefer and why?
I know every horse is different but I'm just looking for a bit of guidance on what the cheek piece helps with/hinders and experiences people have had? Many thanks
 
My preference is loose ring, I only use a fixed ring on something that is inclined to be fussy, out of the current horses on my yard only one has a full cheek as the mouthpiece, a Nathe straightbar, is best suited to him, he is very sensitive and has suffered from a mouth injury previously so the less movement the better.
I personally don't get on with hanging cheeks, something about the feel they give at the end of the reins doesn't suit me, if I had a horse that went well in one then I would use it but have not yet found improvement by using one, it can be very much a personal preference as much as the way the horse goes.
 
I tend to use a loose ring too- standard is a fairly thick double jointed goldy coloured one
Though there are some horses who really need to feel the bit very steady in their mouths and then I use a bog standard plain eggbutt snaffle.
I have a wee TB at the moment and am still struggling to find one soft enough that it doesn't annoy him but still have breaks...
 
I love a hanging cheek, would be my first choice for my horses, I like the fact that it sits still in their mouth. Maybe it's just my horses but I don't want excessive playing with the bit.

Hanging cheeks are great for kids too as they provide a bit of steering help without the added danger of a full cheek :)
 
Thanks for the replies :)
I have tried a loose ring but even with bit guards it pinched he has very fleshy lips lol! So was looking at other options as don't want anything to fussy so thank you for your advice so far
 
The hanging cheek can suit fussy horses as the rotating action of the cheeks when the contact is taken up rolls the bit and relieves pressure on the soft palate. Mine LOVES it.

Being a fixed cheek it is also great for horses who like a nice stable bit. Horses who go behind the contact can suit a hanging cheek for both of these reasons as it helps encourage the horse to take a contact.

Don't use it on a horse who is prone to leaning though.

Personally I don't like loose rings as I've had a couple of sensitive horses who have ended up with pinched mouths from them, and obviously bit rings are banned at BD. I would start with an eggbutt French link and then progress as required.
 
If you would rather use a loose ring but a conventional one pinches your horse's cheeks you could try one of the loose ring eggbut snaffles? I have this one (hope the link works): http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=613

When I bought my horse as a five year-old he was in a full cheek waterford; he was okay in this but I wanted to school him in a snaffle. A loose ring pinched his cheeks and he was reluctant to take a contact but he is much happier and goes beautifully in the loose ring eggbut, I've been really pleased with it.
 
I prefer eggbutt as standard but when that's not working hanging cheek. My pony is totally reformed since changing to a very curved mullen hanging cheek, the difference really is 100% improvement.
 
My personal preference is a loose ring with a lozenge. Horse GREATLY prefers a hanging snaffle with a French link. Doesn't fuss in it and is steady in my hand. Horses!
 
I prefer full cheek snaffles (well my horses do!) they like something much steadier than a loose ring.

Hanging cheek snaffles are a no go for me though. I find they can tend to make horses very 'wooden'.
 
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