How different would the action of these 2 bits be??

[Crazydancer]

HELP! OK, I will openly admit what I know about bits can be written on the back of an envelope. My old guy has been in a mullen mouth snaffle for the last .... oooo.... 10 years or so? But he's not the problem.

My new horse, owner confirmed she was in full cheek french link when I tried her, so I have bought the same, except looking back to the photos now, she was in an D-ring eggbutt, I have bought a loose ring. As the bit has full cheeks though, I guess the 'feel' either side of the mouth is the same, but wondered just how different the action is?

I ask because she is making it very clear she isn't happy with the bit, but was perfectly fine when I tried her.

So I'm also wondering if I've fitted it right for her? It's just high enough in her mouth to just very slightly wrinkle the corner of her mouth. Again, using a jointed bit isn't something I'm familiar with. We had a lesson last week and the instructor commented on her dislike of the bit but I didn't ask her about the fit, but she didn't comment so guess it can't be noticebly wrong!

BTW, teeth all checked very recently and are ok.

The two bits are like the ones below, in the links:
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/French_Link_Hanging_Cheek_Snaffle_filet_baucher_snaffle-(433).aspx
and
http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/prodinfo.asp?number=BITFCFLEC%205&Variation=

Any ideas or suggestions please guys?

 

[tallyho!]

The action will not be very different. Both exert tongue/bar pressure with a bit more leverage on the eggbutt as there is no sliding. All the fulmer is there to do is stop the bit sliding through the mouth.

I think you need to have a feel inside and see where the bit lies as you apply rein pressure - the discomfort could be because of too much tongue pressure, or the joints are uncomfortably low on the palate. If too low, you might need to go up a hole each side.

 

[ThePony]

There shouldn't be a massive amount of difference, esp given that the mouthpieces are exactly the same. The loose ring one will give a little more movement in the mouth (this type is often used with fulmer loops to steady the cheeks) than the fixed cheek one. Some horses prefer the movement of a loose ring, others get on better with fixed cheeks. No matter how much bitting theory you are familiar with it still comes down to just what the horse prefers!!
The bit is fitted to the same height as I do with mine (not a fan of the cheshire cat look!!).
Did your instructor give you any reason for her dislike of the bit? It is a very popular bit, esp for babies.

 

[Crazydancer]

Did your instructor give you any reason for her dislike of the bit? It is a very popular bit, esp for babies.

She doesn't like french links, her opinion is that sometimes the horses 'play' with the bit just because they can, that sometimes there can too much going on, and it can give them a 'busy' mouth. She likes single jointed snaffles, but JP ones (I think?) she said these were slightly curved to follow the curve of the mouth.
Also we decided the bit could be 1/2 inch too wide - I bought to the instruction from her former owner, and it looks fine until you feel on one rein, then it does seem to pull slightly through her mouth, so think this could be a part of it too.
Tallyho - I might try it up a hole next time to see if there is a difference. Thanks both.

 

[tallyho!]

She doesn't like french links, her opinion is that sometimes the horses 'play' with the bit just because they can, that sometimes there can too much going on, and it can give them a 'busy' mouth. She likes single jointed snaffles, but JP ones (I think?) she said these were slightly curved to follow the curve of the mouth.
Also we decided the bit could be 1/2 inch too wide - I bought to the instruction from her former owner, and it looks fine until you feel on one rein, then it does seem to pull slightly through her mouth, so think this could be a part of it too.
Tallyho - I might try it up a hole next time to see if there is a difference. Thanks both.

Yep size could be a factor. She could be feeling too much movement and not enough consistency - the ring should be flush with the lips. I was given mine with 5 1/2 bit but was actually a 5.

 

[Jackson]

If it's fitting right and nothing else is a problem...
My horse is funny about the taste of some bits; at the moment he is in a happy mouth plasticy thing, and it took him some time to stop messing with it, but change it to anything else now, even another plastic one, or wash it in soap and it will bother him again. Maybe this is her problem?

 

[Tnavas]

The first picture is a Fulmer snaffle - *shown upside down! This is allways used with keepers which hold the angle of the bit in the mouth constant. This is a very quiet bit with encourages the horse to be confident in the contact. The cheeks prevent the bit sliding through the mouth and press on the cheeks to encourage turning. The rings outside of the bit increase the quietness of the bit as they don't affect the movement of the cheeks.

The second bit a Full cheek is similar in action but is more active as the rein is directly attached to the cheek. It is not supposed to be used with keepers and so is more moveable within the mouth.

I'm a big Fulmer fan so would always chose that over any other bit.

* The Fulmer should have the shaped end at the top

 

[Crazydancer]

The first picture is a Fulmer snaffle - *shown upside down! This is allways used with keepers which hold the angle of the bit in the mouth constant.
* The Fulmer should have the shaped end at the top

Evelyn!!! I think you may have found my problem - I'm not using keepers! That (along with the bit being a bit too big) will be making the bit move around a LOT. I will go and get some before I ride again. I've never used a fulmer before so had overlooked this.

I may *just* redeem myself though, as I am using the bit the right way up.