Hanging cheek

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Christmas_Kate

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Ponio has a 4 1/2 inch eggbutt snaffle. Obviously, because of his size he needs extra small ringed bits.

At the weekend I spotted a small hanging cheek french link. Thinking that it may be better for his mouth (with having children riding him) I purchased it, purely out of interest, he has a thick tongue and i wondered if he might find it more comfortable.
I bought a 4 1/2 inch, the same as his eggbutt. I tried fitting it today, but then realised I havent a clue lol. Obviously, I know which way up it goes, but not sure from there on! It comes up longer than his eggbutt
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. but seems to fit his moth fine. I'm just not sure how high to fit it? when i put it on, and took the cheekpieces up a little, he was crunching on it. It seems to sit in the right place... but is it meant to 'hang' in the mouth, or sit like an eggbutt?
 
ahh, I thought it was meant to 'suspend' in the mouth? He certainally doesnt need poll pressure, I only wanted it to see if it gave his tongue more room and made him comfier! lol
 
my shetland has a s/s straight pelham.over the years i have tried him in different snaffle bits to try and give a neater appearance.he`s not having none of it!!lol
 
I think it suspends in the mouth when the reins are used .. It sits in the same place as an eggbutt and doesn't usually apply poll pressure. The french link is useful for ponies that don't have alot of room in their mouths.
 
He has a very fleshy mouth, and i'd heard they were good for ponies who found eggbutts uncomfy. he crunches his bit and plays with it alot, leading me to feel that although he goes well in an eggbutt he might find a french link HC a bit better. His tongue is very fat. We'll give it a try on saturday and see if he likes it.
 
I dont really understand what you mean. A hanging cheek is more severe than a normal snaffle as they have the additional pressure on the poll, so if he doesnt need the poll pressure then I wouldnt use the bit, especially if small children are riding when in my opinion you should use the mildest bit you can get away with.

The mouthpiece should sit in the same place as any other snaffle bit (1-2 creases in the corner of the mouth), so you will need to put your cheek pieces 1 or 2 holes higher when you fit the hanging cheek.

I agree that a french link may be more comfy as this mouthpiece has a nicer action in the mouth as it reduces pressure on the roof of the mouth and tounge.

If he has a fat tounge you may find a more forward cut bit like the KK or NS types more suitable, although they are a lot more expensive.
 
Hanging cheeks dont have poll pressure, its such a misconception. How on earth can the reins act on the bit rings to cause it? If the Rings had slots maybe..

Hanging cheeks are suspended in the mouth, as the name suggests and are useful when some horses dont seem to really accept the bit sitting on the tongue. The only problem I have found is that after a while they can cause a horse to start leaning on the bit.
 
umm, hanging cheeks do have poll pressure, because the top ring (attached to cheek piece) rotates slightly as you use the reins, surely? unless you fit it upside down, of course...
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don't laugh, i've seen them fitted upside down.
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they sit in the mouth exactly the same as any other bit with a similar mouthpiece. it's only when the reins are used that they have this effect.
 
reins on large ring pull back,small top ring tilts forward therefore tightening headpiece,i think?
levers and all that stuff?
 
okay, but if you actually think about the physics of what happens to one when you pull on the reins, it will rotate slightly, and the hanging part will pull down on the headpiece at a slight angle. otherwise, what's the point of it at all, you might as well use a loose ring or eggbutt.
 
I actually tried this, and the poll pressure is very minimal. I pulled on the reins, and put my fingers near the bit, under the headpiece etc, and no, there was more pressure on the mouth than the poll.
 
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agreed, very slight poll pressure.
i don't see why it's more suspended in the mouth than a normal snaffle fitted correctly, but it's late and maybe i'm being thick!
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i agree.it`s also like a dutch gag bit without the 2 bottom rings.
 
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agreed, very slight poll pressure.
i don't see why it's more suspended in the mouth than a normal snaffle fitted correctly, but it's late and maybe i'm being thick!
wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

i agree.it`s also like a dutch gag bit without the 2 bottom rings.

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I suppose it is theoretically, but if you look at a french link dutch gag and a hanging cheek french link you'll see alot of difference in ring sizes (which do affect the severity).

anyway, just found this:


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Curved french link snaffle
Jointed bit with a shaped plate that lays flat on the horses tongue, eliminating the nutcracker action
Slight poll action helps to lower the horses head
Can be used in dressage competitions
Available in sizes 4 1/2'' - 6''
Bit strength: mild



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agreed, very slight poll pressure.
i don't see why it's more suspended in the mouth than a normal snaffle fitted correctly, but it's late and maybe i'm being thick!
wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

i agree.it`s also like a dutch gag bit without the 2 bottom rings.

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With a dutch gag, when it is used on the big ring it is no different to a snaffle...just like the hanging cheek. The rein would have to be fixed somehow in order to work on the poll surely, which I'd have thought is why the other rings on the Dutch Gag are smaller, so there's less movement? Something like that anyway
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I just heard it was meant to be suspended. I can't see how it is either! It's definately sitting in the right place.

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When you pull on the reins the cheek pieces go forwards (therefore no poll pressure)rather than down and the bit lifts in the mouth therefore being useful for horses that don't appreciate tongue pressure...at least, thats what I read
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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
agreed, very slight poll pressure.
i don't see why it's more suspended in the mouth than a normal snaffle fitted correctly, but it's late and maybe i'm being thick!
wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

i agree.it`s also like a dutch gag bit without the 2 bottom rings.

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But a Dutch Gag is a loose ring which makes the poll pressure much greater as there is more leverage when you pull on the reins.

I agree the poll pressure is mimimal in the hanging cheek, but it is there.
 
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