How many of you know ...

My mare is ridden in a french link, no flash, no drop, no martingale etc - after trying a couple of other snaffles that is what she goes best in. I have not yet found reason to require any additional bitting as she always slows when I sit down into the saddle.

Her saddle is a wintec isabelle - it suits her slightly odd shape, and the saddle suits my slightly odd shape too!!

The only other equipment I use on her regularly is either boots or bandages all round - she moves slightly close behind and she has caught herself a couple of times when we have been doing lateral work. I would much rather boot / bandage than her hurt herself.

My arab has a french link full cheek snaffle, cavesson bridle - he is just starting out - I expect I will have a breastplate on him once we are riding away - it is likely that I will put a running martingale on him then - as he can be a little, ummm "up in the air" is probably the best way to put it!! :)

I do generally like to have some kind of reasoning behind what I am doing - even if it is my own twisted logic!
 
Yep i am proud to say that all the tack both my horses are in they are in because they need it.

Flash - he opens his mouth
French Ling loose ring - stops leaning an he doesn’t like nut cracker action ....

etc etc

I regularly look at my tack and stripe it all back and check it is all still needed.
 
Yes, if you have read pretty much any post of mine you will have noticed it is my grumpy subject! When I got her I took off everything but the essentials (saddle and french link with no noseband) so I could see what she needs. Have needed to add a running martingale (more for me than her tbh as I don't appreciate her happy bucks quite like she does and she seems to buck less often in a martingale, the neck strap I like too!). Have stuck with no noseband as she is very sensitive around her nose and doesn't need one, just fusses in one despite regular dentist visiits. Just a caversson when we do dressage as the rules say we need a noseband! Bit is a tongue saver hanging cheek. The stability of the bit with a shaped, reasnobly slim and jointed mouth piece suits her and she goes well in it. The occasional leaning is our schooling problem, I'm not sure there is a magic bit to overcome that!
 
Happy Mouth straight bar fulmer because she is a little 5yo TB who needs guidance with steering, however, she wears a flash noseband for none other than it came with the bridle (hides in the corner ready to be pelted), I have never tried her in anything else and goes beautifully so I doubt I will be changing it :) She wears a breastplate mainly because she needs the running martingale for jumping although secretly it is for me to grab if she decides to have a wobble at something!
 
Yes! Many issues with tack - my mare attached a 5 bar gate to herself (long story!!) But anyway - in the end all absolutely fine, knees fine, face fine but tounge not (almost removed! Vet sewed it back on!) But means can't bit with something jointed, only straight, not narrow and pref softer than a metal one!
So am limited to straight bar snaffle or pelham (vulcanite) unless anyone has any other ideas?! All welcome! Which means snaffle for flat work (loose ring as she works better than in an eggbert), hackamore for hacking (not flatwork, she's built on the downhill and likes to fall on the forehand anyway - extra poll pressure not required!) and pelham for hunting and team chasing (with a grackle - mexican one with the rings as fits her face better - as crosses her jaw when gets excited XC and gets silly!). Also do her curb chain up a little randomly - people comment and try to fix it at shows, but it works for me and her & is comfortable for her, and if put on "correctly" rubs raw where the curb attaches to the bit!

All rather frustrating as she used to go very well in a waterford or simple french link snaffle!

Other horse I ride - simple happy mouth snaffle and flash noseband - for everything!! Simple!!
 
Rowreach said:
Flo_Bell, why do you like French links?:)
Click to expand...

LOL!!! Little arab has one as it was the driving pony's bit, but I had to pinch it for him as I've never had someone with such a dinky little head with such a tiny mouth! Also the full cheek there to assist with steering - although he's not bad for a baby, but I prefer the help just in case!

With my mare, she was in a single jointed egbutt snaffle to start with, but I just found that she is more accepting of the contact and happier with the double joint.

I do have to admit I probably have more than enough different varieties on double jointed bits in my bit collection, but I have found that a lot of the horses I have had have gone well in a french link! :)

Actually I've just realised that the driving pony is in a happy mouth double jointed (with a rotating peanut thing) and the baby horse has a french link on her bridle as well!! I think I'm addicted!! :) LOL
 
Pony is in a fulmer losenge snaffle because it's nice and gentle as he's a baby, fulmer cheek pieces to aide steering and losenge over normal jointed snaffle as I prefer the idea of a bit of movement as opposed to a nutcracker action. Cavasson noseband as standard - he will have to wear one for showing in the future so we have it on all the time now.

Stirrup leather round his neck for me to grab on (if I can find it underneath the huge mane) in case of emergencies (put it on when I backed him 2.5 months ago and haven't taken it off yet).

Working Hunter saddle as it fits him, it's more straight cut so frees up his shoulder nicely but still has all important knee rolls for keeping me on (!) and I want to show him and so it's dual purpose as I can't afford more than one (although it is his second saddle since backing as he expanded out of his old one ridiculously fast so I'll probably need another one before we get to the ring!).
 
Drop noseband- because he can cross his jaw/open his mouth to evade the bit/being worked (on the rare occasion we do school) and I prefer a drop to a flash.
One of those half cheek (fillet baucher?) french link snaffle- again because he evades & can be strong and nappy- the half cheek gives that bit more control than loose ring/eggbutt without pulling his head down & in allowing him to motor along (something I found with a pelham- nothing fun about a horse bolting but having no power to stop and it's head virtually between it's knee's...) French link as he's happier in it than a straight bar and I don't like the thought of a single jointed bit.

Have no need for martingale or breastplate and have tried other bits before, various eggbutt, loose ring & full cheek snaffles & 2 types of pelham & a gag but none had the desired effect.

But the main reason is because he goes nicely in it.
 
'Cos she came close to killing both of us in the Myler :)

'Cos I need an extra handle every now and then and a five point breastplate is a godsend :)

'Cos her legs are on the odd occassion coming and going all at once and country boots all round means that we may well get back with all legs intact :)

'Cos she's a sensitive soul and goes better in a padded head piec :)

'Cos she didn't get on with any other noseband, though Mexican Grackle would probably be better for a while she can't concentrate when wearing one, too busy arguing lol :)

'Cos they don't slip when she does her "I'm a silly mare" act and I can keep hold of the dressage reins :)

'Cos she's changing shape too fast for my bank account and the saddler to keep up, so has a Prolite pad and a K2 specific Nuumed half sheepskin numnah, though that will change when she measures the same at least two saddler visits in a row :)
 
Elevator Bridle because it's nice and soft ;)

Gently fitted flash noseband because if distracted by something she'll put her head sideways and open her mouth completely to go the way she wants. This stops her opening her mouth more than a couple of inches and she doesn't seem to feel restricted in it. Indeed she can still eat easily.

Sprenger KK Dynamic lozenge loose ring because she is happier in that than any other. Believe me I have tried a lot.

Albion K2 because she has a mean bucking habit and it was felt between the saddler and myself that even though a straighter flap would suit her shoulder slightly better it wouldn't be a lot of good if she managed to ditch me through lack of security.

So yes I know how and why. I bought her from a dealer so she came with nothing and now I hope we are getting somewhere near right for her.
 
Desi....the old lad....has a verbinend NS snaffle- beacuse its nice and kind and plenty of room for his tongue. Plain cavesson noseband because he doesnt need anything else. Windec VSD saddle- because he has changed shape so much from a narrow to a wide fitting through correct working...he had wasted muscles around his withers but they have really filled out now. It was waaay too pricey to keep changing saddles. Plus the wintec has been the best fit he's ever had.I would like a K+M adjustable leather one but thats just snobbery- he likes the wintec so I'm stuck with it for now. No breastplates/martingales because I prefer to work through stuff- plus he never tanks off with me.

Toby...the young highland- same bit as Desi because it is mild (in my hands;)) and is THE only bit which has given him enough room for his tongue. Previous owners had a single jointed snaffle and strapped his mouth shut with a flash....many many bitting/mouth related issues including evading/chomping on the bit/head tossing.....ALL stopped now he is comfortable in his mouth. I am pretty chuffed I have managed to sort his issues and make him happy:D. He has an extra-wide non-branded saddlers own make WH saddle when I ride him which also looks good in the ring. When daughter rides him she has a tidgy Jeffries WH saddle for him.

Storm (OH's Irish cob mare)....she is in a rubber plain bar Pelham.....I have tried her in other stuff but she goes best in this one. She has the potential to set her neck and tank off but a light touch with bottom rein keeps her in order. I think she has a Thorowgood cob saddle but I'm not sure.....its damn uncomfortable but hey- its not my hoss and it fits her barrel fine.

Pretty gadget free me...I'm old school:D
 
I do. Rockin S Snaffle because it has a simple action and sits nice and still in the mouth until you ask for something. A Fhoenix saddle because it fits and it's comfy. A western bridle because it looks pretty and has a nice big browband for his wide forehead (lots of brains obviously!) and still fits the rest of his tiny head. (He's an A-rab). No noseband because I don't see the point of them. No other bits and pieces like martingales etc because I don't use them.
Notice the interesting combination of a Fhoenix dressage saddle and western bridle (with horsehair tassles!). We like to cross-dress.
o080.gif
 
Whisper is in a hanging snaffle for flat work and dressage and he has a 3 ring gag snaffle for cantering in fields cross coutry to start off with probaly jumping in competitions, the reasons for this are he can be very strong and really does not enjoying slowing down, he will also resist the bit when he gets going the gag just breaks the resistance and he listens to you, however he is compleating incapale of doing any kind of flat work in it as he is rahter unresponsive when in a arena, he is only young adn i only ever have the reins attached on the second ring down, but otherwise he would be rather uncontrollable.
he has a running martingale when not in the dressage arena at present as when he gets excited he holds his head very high in the air.
he has a flash on as can run along with his mouth open looking a bit silly every now and then adn also he is far more responsive when trying to slow him up.
he has farrintons saddle because its it a almost perfect fit,( i was very lucky here that all of connor takc fit him apart from rugs)
and i only ride in boots if out hacking on hard surfaces or jumping
 
both of mine are now in liverpool driving bits (for both ridden & driven work) as they both work much better & arer more focused in them, no nosebands when ridden as not needed & my mare drives in an open bridle as she has no issue with things behind her.

start simple & add only if needed is my pratice.
 
My old mare is in a KK lozenge eggbut, as she cant have loose rings due to the pink skin of her mouth.....she likes the bit, and it is pretty mild I think.

My young boy is in a happy mouth, full cheek, lozenge bit, as my dentist told me not to use a single jointed bit with him, he is only 3, hence the happy mouth and the full cheeks!

My pony is in an eggbut snaffle....she has a flash in the winter as she can be a little too forward going, and sets her jaw a bit.

My old mare has a nose net, as she is a headshaker....

....Oh and I currently have a neckstrap on the baby....for obvious reasons!

I wouldnt know what to do with much else!!!
 
My boy has a loose ring snaffle, as he leans on a normal one.
martingale as when he's being bad all I can see is neck - also if he runs off he does it with his head in the air!
he has a grackle as he opens his mouth - have to be 100% honest here and say i'm not really sure why a grackle not a flash - but I prefer the grackle as it relaxes when he does. - (any further explanation would be useful if anyone knows the difference? - thanks ;) )
We have a treeless saddle as he moves so much better in it, and is a lot happier while in his treeless (back has been checked, although we did change to treeless straight after a nasty back injury - maybe the treed doesn't feel right now after that?)
brushing boots because he brushes,
over reach boots because he overreaches.

- This is a good thread I must say, as when I had my first pony on loan I had all this stuff on him he didn't need it was just put on by his owner for show, and it makes you take a step back and say "do I really need all this?"
 
Last edited:
The last few years I have become much more interested in bits, having noticed what a big difference they make. A couple of years ago if you had asked me I would have said that a bit is bit (well, at least a snaffle is a snaffle), the rider should just ride better and the horse should get on with it, but now I have seen bits make a huge difference.

Rusky: is in a Demi-Anky which is a very thin weirdly double curved snaffle that stops him from leaning on the bit and allows him to fit his large tongue under it. I also tried a Danger Horse and more bit the other day that works like a snaffle until the horse leans on it and then it locks and we both loved that one - it's on order!

Freddy: is in a rubber coated snaffle as he likes his bits really, really chunky to encourage him to put weight on the bit

Cakey: is in a Turnado because he tends to pop his tongue over the bit (and under again and over again!) in other snaffles. He hacks in the second ring of the gag just in case!
 
OK mines currently ridden for most things in a dutch gag with one rein on the 2nd ring. His default evasion or fear reaction is to throw his head up cross his jaw and scuttle off at 90 MPH, not fun. With the gag we can keep his head down even if he opens his mouth and we have breaks.

I also ride him in a bitless bridle, am trying this out to see if it is the bit itself causing the problem, for the first few rides it was a miracle cure but he's just starting to test out the boundaries of it. But I shall keep trying and see where we end up.

He was in a snaffle for schooling at home and pelham for hacks and anything away from home.
After his ops the pelham was too strong so we switched to the gag and because he was back to square one schooling wise the gag worked well to start with and currently we need it to school canter work as in the snaffle he throws his head and pops out the outside shoulder and takes off.

Nothing permenant there all works in progress.

Have also used a market harborough for a few sessions and tried a flash nose band.

All the above is compounded at the moment by possible saddle fit issues which I'm working on as well. Along with his teeth being wrong again which is being sorted out tomorrow.
 
Thank you for all your replies :)

The reason I asked is that, while I am not one of those instructors that makes people change everything they have on their horse when they first come to me, I do like to ask people WHY they use a particular bit etc on their horse. I am getting increasingly fed up with the "Oh, Instructor X told me to" and when I say "yes but why?" they haven't a clue and never bothered to ask:confused:

I have 6 horses and ponies in work, and each has a different bit according to age/mouth conformation/way of going/sensitivity etc etc.

And by the way Martlin, I don't believe you:p
 
Interesting - I remember havign a horse to school, and suggested a bit change, owner agreed, but never asked why...

My own have an extensive 'bit wardrobe' of things I've bought to try, not been right, so I've put it away incase 'another' suits it.
 
All 4 of my riders are in losse ring french link snaffles and cavesson nosebands. One has to be in a french link due to a low palette and the other just seem to go well in theirs. I believe you'll never win a tug of war with any horse so don't tend to bother with 'stronger' bits.
 
I own a bit bank, so I've got lots of bits at my disposal and have tried most of them.
For usual hacking and schooling we use a Myler loose ring french link.
For exciting hacking we use a NS waterford universal.
My horse goes better in these bits than anything else I've tried.

Either a cavesson noseband or no noseband at all.

After trying to get fitted with a treed saddle, 2 saddlers said I'd need a made to measure saddle, which obviously wouldn't allow for fluctuations in weight and muscle tone.
I prefer traditional looking saddles, so I tried a few 'normal' looking treeless saddles and settled with a Total Saddle Solution GP model.

We often have a stirrup leather as a OH **** STRAP, and for posh occasions a 5 point breast plate.
 
Mine goes really sweetly in a Dr Bristol - she doesn't lean on it but in the past has get really strong and I know I can stop her with this bit. I rarely have to touch her mouth more than closing my fingers around the reins and I'd rather have that than having to take a pull. We've tried her in a pelham and also a loose ring snaffle but one makes her stick her head on her chest and the other increases the braking distance by way too far! She also has a tendendency to stick her head in the air, espcially when you have one of those moments when you feel that she is oblivious to having a rider on board so she usually has a running martingale too, but recently I haven't bothered putting it on as she is behaving so angelically.

She just has a plain cavesson but I tend to take it off when the weather is hot and we don't generally do boots or bandages, there is no need.
 
Last edited:
My 4 yr old is in a loose ring rubber snaffle(wont have a metal bit) and his kieffer dressage saddle, has a crank noseband but only because im waiting on my new bridle with a normal cavesson.

5 yr old is in a rubber snaffle with fulmar sides, running martingale (as she tends to throw her head up when she gets excited jumping) and prestige jumping saddle.

The others are all ridden in eggbutt snaffles and gp saddles, one mare has a martingale on to jump.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top