hanging cheek snaffle

[kellylouise1992]

Hi. I'm looking for a hanging cheek snaffle with a French link in 5.3/4 my pony is a connemara with a thick tongue. He really likes the thinner bit with the French link but the one i'm using is a bit to small. Any suggestions? thanks Kelly

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I use one of those (FL with hanging cheek), will just try to see where i got it.

Here it is
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...heek_Snaffle_filet_baucher_snaffle-(412).aspx

But I cant find a 5.75 only a 5.5 or 6.0

The only vaguely similar thing in 5.75 is this Jeffries one, tho Im not sure if it is a true French link or something more/less severe
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=167&xSec=15

 

[laurapru]

try ebay, I managed to get one on there and for a good price too. I love hanging cheeks and french link ones too!! all mine have them!

 

[kellylouise1992]

Thanks for replies i found this on ebay but not sure if it's dressage legal? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Horse-Mou...s=63&clkid=8509864089771084056#ht_1943wt_1002

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Heres the rulebook with illustrations.
http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/uploads/File/Rule Book 31aug 2010.pdf

Interestingly it says mixed metal is allowed, as is french link, as is hanging cheek, but they dont illustrate the combination of the two. Hopefully as all elements are legal individually it would be ok but it might be worth checking

 

[Miss L Toe]

Thanks for replies i found this on ebay but not sure if it's dressage legal? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Horse-Mou...s=63&clkid=8509864089771084056#ht_1943wt_1002

I have bought this bit, lovely quality, but this is a lozenge not a french link, I stand to be corrected: to me a french link is a flat piece of metal designed to control strong horses, a lozenge is kinder and asks the horse to accept the bit.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

No a french link isnt a harsh control, its kinder than a single jointed snaffle for many horses as there is no nutcracker, the piece in the centre is rounded and smooth. They are very suitable for horses with low palates which includes many cob types. Single jointed bits are often better accepted by TB types with different mouth confirmation.

There is a flat sharp version of a double jointed bit which is called a Dr Bristol where the central piece is angled so it is in contact with the tongur and that one is a harsh bit.

 

[Tnavas]

I stand to be corrected: to me a french link is a flat piece of metal designed to control strong horses, a lozenge is kinder and asks the horse to accept the bit.

You are thinking of a Dr Bristol where the plate is longer and set at an angle so that when the reins are used the edge of the plate digs into the tongue.

The French link is a shorter plate with rounded edges though there are some earlier makes that didn't round the edges.

The lozenge is more of a mouthfull and reall replaces the lump of a single joint with a smooth surface with the additional action of a double joint.

 

[4x4]

Normally the centre of a French link is shaped like a filled in figure of eight.

 

[longdog]

I would opt for the NS Hanging Cheek - better designed for the horses mouth & it comes in a 5 3/4". It is also available in a 14mm mouth as well as the more usual 16mm.

 

[Highlands]

Was also going to recommend ns bi, you can hire before buying, great for natives an their fat tongues