How much difference does a french link make?

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MGG

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Wanting something a little stronger than the loose ring, french link snaffle my daughter's D type Welsh is currently in, just for jumping to keep his attention when asked to slow down when out at a party.

Question is, should I just try a plain snaffle first - ie drop the french link or go for the top ring of a 3 ring gag? The thing is I don't know how much difference the French link makes?

The further complication is that you can get a three ring with a french link as well, so if I go for the gag do I try one with a French link in so that we are only changing one thing or just stop messing about and go for a 3 ring gag with no french link?

I would only ever use it on the top hole as he isn't really that bad, just a bit quick and runs through her hands a bit. He is a big stocky chap who just wants to get on with it. If she feels she needs more, then we will stop competing until we have better control.

She is having lessons regularly etc and the aim is to go back to the original french link snaffle for everything, but just for now wanted something a little stronger to compete in.
 
I would try a normal snaffle first I think. Mine is great in his french link, but really finds the action of an ordinary snaffle a bit harsh so I would think the reverse would also work
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I find Hovis goes better in his hanging cheek french link as it gives me a bit more control.
I had previously had him in a gag on the 2nd hole but he much prefers the HCFL and i have more brakes!
 
Don't jump from a snaffle to a gag! You have so many firm snaffles you can try first. Hanging snaffle is very popular for that little extra breaking, or you have Dr. Bristols, although I don;t really see much of these.
I'd defo go for the hanging cheek snaffle first before even thinking of gags!!
 
Technically Dr Bristols aren't a snaffle. When put in one way they have the same action as a french link but when reversed they are increadibly harsh as the plate is designed to dig into the horses tongue quite severely (and I used to know someone who rode with this and draw reins *sigh*).

The thing is, it depends on how he is evading the brakes. Anything with leverage delivers poll action but you can keep the action in the mouth the same. If you go to one link however you are increasing the nutcracker action. For instance, I wouldn't put anything with leverage on my girl as she is very poll sensitive so would play about with bit pieces before even considering anything else.

OK, I've rambled.... my opinion... go for different bit pieces first. Also, cherry rollers are nice for a bit more control so they can't lean.
 
Thanks. I am going to start by trying a plain snaffle (no french link) and then a hanging cheek with french link. That should tell me if he responds better to the poll pressure or the nutcracker action. Then we will see where we go from there.
 
The french links reduces the nutcracker action of the bit. If the horse has a low palete and/or fleshy lips/tongue, a single jointed bit can jab the roof of the mouth and excessively squeeze the tongue.

I would keep the french link and try a hanging cheek FL.
 
It depends on what the pony does. If he puts his head up to evade the slow down aids , then the poll pressure of a hanging cheek would be useful BUT if he leans on the bit a hanging cheek would make the problem worse. A single jointed bit has a nutcracker action which could also make him evade the aids. It might be worth your speaking to a bitting expert such as Heather Hyde at Neue Schule to discuss your options.
 
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