Hanging cheek snaffle (or Baucher)

[Green Bean]

Hi everyone! I have just ordered a hanging cheek snaffle bit for my WB mare. When I bought her over a year ago she was being ridden in an Eggbutt snaffle. I tried this for a bit but it didn't feel right so changed to a loose ring, French link snaffle. I have used this for quite some time now but she doesn't accept the contact (ie you have to play tug-o-war) readily. I wanted to try something slightly stronger without going outside of the realms of dressage legal so have gone with the hanging cheek snaffle. It should come by the weekend but wondered if anyone has an opinion on this?
A very experienced jumper had a go on my mare this last weekend when I chickened out from jumping her (she has a huge, climbing the Eiffel tower, jump). When she had jumped my mare very successfully, kudos to her, and got back on her horse who is also a WB 16.2hh mare she said it felt like she was riding a pony in comparison (this gives you a picture of what my mare is like)

 

[Jasmin2013]

When I bought my mare she was in a hanging cheek snaffle but didn't take a blind bit of notice of it. I have now got her in a turtle top loose ring snaffle and she still has her moments but all in all she goes really well in it. I would never jump or cross country her in it as I wouldn't feel safe or in control, so have a different bit for fast work. In the turtle top she happily hacks out and schools in it and works beautifully when asked in it too. At the end of the day each horse is different but I wouldn't go back to a hanging cheek.

 

[Casey76]

A baucher isn’t a strong bit at all, the type of mouthpiece could affect the “strength”, but as a snaffle, it isn’t any stronger than a loose ring or egg butt, or D ring, or fulmer.

It does sit suspended in the mouth, and is suitable for horses who don’t like a lot of movement.

Despite what is touted in some places, a baucher does not have any poll pressure

 

[Shay]

Acceptance of contact is usually more of a schooling issue than a bitting issue - particularly if you feel you are having to hold her into the contact rather than allowing her to seek it. The best person to ask is really your instructor I'm afraid. There is nothing magic in a hanging cheek - some horses go well in it, some don't.

 

[Green Bean]

Thanks everyone so far! Bit of a bummer about the hanging cheek not being stronger! I will try it anyway and see if there is a difference. I have read that some horses prefer the stability of the hanging cheek snaffle so that may work. From a schooling point of view, my instructor has confirmed that she has issues on acceptance of contact (she rides her from time to time when I have run out of hours in the week) and the knowledgeable jumper I mention in my post said she felt that my horse wanted a strong contact (her horse accepts the contact with the lightest of contact - grumble)

 

[Annagain]

Thanks everyone so far! Bit of a bummer about the hanging cheek not being stronger! I will try it anyway and see if there is a difference. I have read that some horses prefer the stability of the hanging cheek snaffle so that may work. From a schooling point of view, my instructor has confirmed that she has issues on acceptance of contact (she rides her from time to time when I have run out of hours in the week) and the knowledgeable jumper I mention in my post said she felt that my horse wanted a strong contact (her horse accepts the contact with the lightest of contact - grumble)

It's true that it's not stronger but if the horse likes it, it can prevent a horse being strong with you IYSWIM. It took 18 months of trial and error to find a bit my boy was happy in - he leaned, tanked and was generally very unruly and strong. I put him in a hanging cheek mullen mouth probably the least strong bit I had tried him in and he was like a different horse. He still has the odd moment of leaning but isn't at all strong (in the school at least!) and usually carries himself very nicely in it.