Hanging cheek snaffle with copper lozenge! Opinions?

LucyandOli

LucyandOli

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Does anyone have any opinions about the above bit?? I've been looking at different bits to try with my boy and since I'm wanting to have a go at intro dressage I am trying to find one that is dressage legal! So far after reading up on them I feel most positive about the above! I usually ride my boy in a full cheek French link snaffle however when I took him to his first show a few weeks ago he became extremely strong and excitable, throwing his head in the air and pulling against the bit! Does anyone have any other suggestions if the above wouldn't be suitable? TIA :)
 
I saw a shires sweet iron version of this last night and thought it looked ideal for my mare but she is firmly 5.75 and they don't so 1/4 sizes in it. Wasn't dear for trying the mouth piece I didn't think.
 
It's funny you should say that my boy is the same, in some bits he fits a 5 1/2 nicely and in others they are too small :/ but I was looking at that bit too and was tryi to decide between the two
 
LucyandOli said:
It's funny you should say that my boy is the same, in some bits he fits a 5 1/2 nicely and in others they are too small :/ but I was looking at that bit too and was tryi to decide between the two
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Let me know how it is for size if you go for it. 6" is massive on her but I got a 5.75 hanging cheek and it's almost too small. (It was second hand so must measure it as I am not convinced it's not a 5.5!)
 
Yes I definately will :) I tried a 5 1/2 on my boy and it was pretty small so I'm going to go for a 6". It's just typical none of my local tack shops sell either of the two bits im interested in so I'm abit worriesld if it is too big :/
 
My horse has been wearing one for about 4 months, so thought I'd share my opinion. I don't know much about bits on the whole though.

Fits very comfortably in his mouth and have had no problems on that front.

Mine doesn't have just a copper lozenge, but instead the whole mouth piece is copper. Honestly I don't know how the full rather than just the lozenge makes a difference, but I've found my horse to be more wet in the mouth with it.

It doesn't give me any more control than a snaffle, but it is a better bit for my horse than the snaffle. This might just be my horse though. For comparison he wears a three ring for outings, and this gives me more control.

No poll pressure what so ever.

It cost me about 80 pounds.
 
Personally before you start changing bits, it was your first show- perhaps the excitement of a new thing is the issue not the bit?
 
dianchi said:
Personally before you start changing bits, it was your first show- perhaps the excitement of a new thing is the issue not the bit?
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Agree with this.

I have just put my girl in a hanging cheek Jefferies revolver, swapped her from a copper roller snaffle on my instructors suggestion, I do seem to have more control (possibly due to the bit being more stable in her mouth), and she really likes the bit and works in a more consistent contact.
 
Just checked the BD website, and it says the following


Bits of rubber, nylon or other synthetic materials are permitted. Bits must be used in their manufactured
condition without any addition to/on any part. Only the bits that are illustrated are permitted, mouthpieces
may be used with any of the cheeks or rings illustrated. A mix of metals in the mouthpiece are permitted.
A plastic snaffle with a cylindrical rotating mouthpiece is permitted. Minimum diameter of the mouthpiece
should be 10mm. Snaffles used in Young Horse classes must have a minimum diameter of 14mm.
 
No idea re legalities etc but I've just come across a 6" hanging cheek with copper lozenge for sale on preloved! Thought you'd like to know!
 
If he goes well at home in what you are currently using then I'd stick with it and, as above, try to work on settling him at shows instead. There aren't any dressage legal bits at the lower levels that will give you stopping power. They would rather defeat the object! A full-cheek can help to some extent with steering and a thinner mouthpiece might get sharper responses (there is a minimum diameter of 1cm but that is very thin indeed). However, if the problem is excitement, tension will express itself somehow anyway.

Perhaps you could try some dressage clinics? The sort where you ride a test for a judge and receive feedback and a short lesson are great for this sort of thing. You get a bit of excitement from being in a new place with all the boards and things but without the pressure of competing. Otherwise, entering some small, low-key dressage competitions might be your best bet. Pick a venue that doesn't attract huge crowds and won't have a heaving warm-up arena.

Anyway, have fun, and don't worry too much about percentages and placings at your first few tries at dressage. It's normal for horses to take a while to understand that nothing scary is going to happen. Just concentrate on giving your horse a good experience and I'm sure he'll settle down.
 
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