Hanging cheek snaffles

monkeybum13

monkeybum13

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 July 2009
Messages
7,379
Location
South Gloucestershire
Visit site
Ok, so having just sabotaged someone else’s post a couple of us has decided to start a new post. Basically it was whether the hanging cheek snaffle exerts any pole pressure and if you feel a difference when riding in it. My mare goes well in it and I feel it gives me that slight pole pressure I need however on a certain website it states that it doesn’t actually exert any pole pressure.
confused.gif
Any of your opinions would be gratefully received! lol
grin.gif
grin.gif


(sorry if this a whole lot or rubbish
blush.gif
)
 
I have no idea whether or not it creates poll pressure but it certainly stops Daisy from running through the bit and going all long like she did in a snaffle. D isn't strong in the slightest but she was just ignoring her snaffle when i asked her to work in an outline whereas now she;s working beautifully.
 
Well Monkeybumbum!, as you know I am firmly in the sustainable dressage camp that no it does not exert poll pressure!

My mare goes the same in a KK tranz lozenge with either hanging cheek or full cheek. The only difference being the full cheek gives me better turns.

I know there is a lot of conflicting information out there so what does everyone else think?
 
I can't understand how people are saying it doesn't exert poll pressure???? If you hold it in your hands and pull on the rein it rotates in your hand and pulls down on the head piece.......!!!! Therefore poll pressure.......
 
[ QUOTE ]
our boy had a rather high head carriage and he is now in hanging cheek french link and it does exert pole pressure

[/ QUOTE ]

H had a high head carriage because he was in a 3 ring gag which is an elevator bit...
 
If the is a real pull exerted I think there is some, esp if there rings are smaller/have hooks. I've been looking at the buxtons at work (plain cheek attachment is equivilent to hanging cheek) and when the rein comes through the terrets the bit can change angle. Its not much but its enough for most. Plus its a steadier bit for those who fiddle

Buxton bit http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/Admin/Images/b03517b6-5a4c-46d3-9d54-87b31b0e96e4.jpg
 
wilma hated it

but i got told it had a slight gag action, so raising the head
but that was my old yo who was an idiot

hmmm how confusing is this :L
 
[ QUOTE ]
wilma hated it

but i got told it had a slight gag action, so raising the head
but that was my old yo who was an idiot

hmmm how confusing is this :L

[/ QUOTE ]

It does have slight gag action if you really pull as the mouthpiece lifts in the mouth, the definition of a gag action, it is very slight but can be enough for the horse to object
 
IMO No, no poll action, no gag action anything. How can the bit be pulled up in the mouth, its just round so no place to create leverage...
 
Without wishing to sound really awful, does it matter what it does if trial and error says it works well for your horse? I've found bits are a really personal thing between you and your horse, different people will get a completely different result with them.
 
I never met a horse that went well in a hanging cheek that didn't go better in something else. I hate the dull feeling they give at the end of the rein. I can't think that something with such a small D-ring could exert any significant poll pressure - to me, it just seems to distort the cheek piece and pull more on the lips....... willing to be corrected, but have never enjoyed riding in one.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I never met a horse that went well in a hanging cheek that didn't go better in something else. I hate the dull feeling they give at the end of the rein. I can't think that something with such a small D-ring could exert any significant poll pressure - to me, it just seems to distort the cheek piece and pull more on the lips....... willing to be corrected, but have never enjoyed riding in one.

[/ QUOTE ]

What would you recommend then for a horse that runs through a standard snaffle, not strong but just ignores it?
 
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/sh...rue#Post4531977

No poll pressure. It's physics, not an opinion.
smile.gif


Like everything else, if you use them for what they're for, they're often just the ticket. If you use them for something different then you can't really expect consistent results. Bits are just as much for riders and horses in most cases, anyway.

I quite like them but I don't think most horses "need" them unless they are working in the way they are designed to facilitate. As far as why they work when they do, it doesn't seem most people care so long as they get a result, which is a bit of a shame because understanding why different bits work the way they do is a great help in choosing the appropriate one.
 
Really? Pip only goes in his hanging cheek mullen mouth driving, get away with eggbutt mullen mouth riding but would like to get a hanging cheek. Can't say he ever feels dull...
 
I have always been off the opinion that bitting is an art rather than a science and you can put in a bit that the horse by all rights should like and get a violent reaction!

As for the dull action I know a RI who has many of the horses and ponies in hanging snaffles, if I remember rightly, to lessen the effect of less than perfect hands by taking a bit of the movement out. I think thats what she said anyway!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I never met a horse that went well in a hanging cheek that didn't go better in something else. I hate the dull feeling they give at the end of the rein. I can't think that something with such a small D-ring could exert any significant poll pressure - to me, it just seems to distort the cheek piece and pull more on the lips....... willing to be corrected, but have never enjoyed riding in one.

[/ QUOTE ]

What would you recommend then for a horse that runs through a standard snaffle, not strong but just ignores it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Does a hanging cheek snaffle work on this horse? Wouldn't be my first port of call, logically.

I would look at the mouthpiece - more joints/fewer joints, look at the leverage - gag types etc but depends on so many different factors...... how does it run through?
Head high? Head low? Mouth open ? Shut? Does it dislike a jointed bit? Does it always ignore the bit? Or just in the open, or when hacking?
so much more info needed!

Instant easy answer is - more schooling lol but I know it's not always that easy!
 
I don't understand that...You pul back on a ring, you pull back on a ring with a metal attachment higher up, the effect on the horse is still going to be the same. The one thing I do understand it to do is hold the bit stiller, so prehaps this could cause this effect if the riders have very patchy contact.
Pip likes it as he is so sensitive any movement/joints he hates, and protests by locking his jaw and going...fast.
 
I like my hanging cheek french link as it holds the bit still in the mouth and I usually ride on very little contact for very long distances (endurance) so this is ideal.

We all want different things of our horses, hence different bits suit.
A
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think thats pretty much it Rara..which is why ts popular with kids ponies

[/ QUOTE ]

I ain't a kid
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top