Loose ring snaffles with eggbutt sides...

georgiegirl

georgiegirl

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Has anyone ever used one of these and has anything to say about it? i know the golden wings snaffles are not dressage legal (boohoo rubbish rule that doesnt make any sense!)

Autumn has very fine skin around the corners of her lips which chafes and rubs very easily even with correctly fitted loose rings. Im using a full cheek at the moment but do feel she could benefit from a loose ring bit. sooo....what do people think of these? Im assuming they are dressage legal?

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/shires-loose-ring-eggbutt-p106041?gclid=CNPf8KayoLcCFdHLtAodMWYAlw
 
I've used one in past on my mare who had a sensitive mouth and it certainly helped. In long term I did think she was better in a normal loose ring so I just used Vaseline and built up schooling sessions in it
 
So did you get much difference in feel between this and a loose ring?

I do use bit butter now on her along with the full cheek and have had no problems whatsoever whereas I still have the same trouble a bit with her universal we use for xc even though we have bit guards on it - it must just be the moving parts that does it. I am going to invest in a set of different bit gaurds which I think may eradicate the problem as they completely block off the moving parts from the skin http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/equipment/gel/gel-accessories/gel-bit-guards
 
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A small difference yes but tbh I think it was the mouth piece she preferred the neue scheule team up. I had her in a loose ring three ring gag for Xc once and used but guards - I don't think you can use but guards with a snaffle for dressage though but not 100% sure of this rule
 
No you cant use guards for dressage which is why Im looking down the route of these new fangled gel guards or the eggbutt sleeves on the loose ring snaffle. My usual guards dont seem to make a fat lot of difference with her xc bit in terms of chafing which is why I think these new ones look like they might be good - I guess being gel they will be stretchy and easy to take on off so may be good for everyday use and then just take them off for dressage tests or shall I just go down the route of getting the snaffle with the sleeves?! God knows.......decisions!
 
I had a memo from BD to say it wasn't allowed and Jennie Loriston-Clarke told a rider who was using one on a clinic with her that they are not allowed. The rule is that if it is not pictured in the rule book then it's not allowed and there is no picture. You can always get confirmation from BD if you e-mail them a picture of it.
 
Thanks oldvic - I knew the golden wings one wasnt but wasnt sure about this. I will ask BD/BE just to be sure....

Seems a silly rule really!
 
For hacking/normal work I have one that often crosses his jaw and cuts his mouth doing it and this sorts it out :) It does have a slightly different action to a normal snaffle in that you physically cannot create any form of nutcracker action- in use I guess it's 1/2 way between a Mullen mouth and lozenge as when pressure is applied due to the angle of the wings it 'locks'
Haven't found a legal alternative he can't cut his mouth on so just have to warm up being careful not to let him get jaw crossy so not much help for you- sorry!
 
Looks like I may have to go down the road of using those gel bit guards instead then - I was going to buy some for my xc bit anyway..... has anyone used them/ know how stretchy they are for taking on and off? I dont mind using guards for everyday work but the normal rubber ones are such a pig for taking on and off and actually dont seem all that effective on mine....
 
I have one and find it is very similar to the loose ring but without any lip chafing...but as has been said it isn't BD legal as I emailed them a pic and asked. Apparently it's because a dishonest person could put something irritant into the channel although why anyone would want to is beyond me! I school in it at home and use the legal version at shows and found that using the loose ring that little doesn't cause any rubbing.
 
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I though these bits were dressage legal?

2 type bits:
40589_m.jpg

2type_2.jpg
 
Shame they aren't legal as I have one that works perfectly, my boy prefers the feel of a loose ring (slightly softer than the eggbutt version) and this avoids any risk of pinching and is much less bulky and sweaty that rubber bit guards.
 
I don't know why they won't allow them but......! We had a big discussion about it at Badminton with regard to FEI too and they said no.
 
Well I'm really confused now :( I sent BE a message with the original link to the plain snaffle with the sleeves and they have replied saying it is dressage legal???
 
I would ask BD as those rules are where BE refer to if there is a query on bitting and they have said within the last year that they are not permitted.
 
I contacted BD last month and was told that the 'sleeve' design loose ring eggbut IS legal, and they emailed me with a picture to confirm. I have printed this out and keep it in my wagon in case of any contraversy at competitions. The 'golden wings' design is NOT legal as it covers up the corners of the horse's mouth so that an injury would not be able to be seen. This was also in the email, again with a picture.
 
Tricky when they send the judges opposing information!! At the moment the FEI are saying only bits that are in the pictures are allowed.
 
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