Opinions on dr Bristol bits and their effectiveness

GSLS

GSLS

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As post says really

I don't think they work but thinking of trying one on current horse so wanted people's opinions


Thanks, emily xx
 
Not my favorite. And not legal in dressage. There are other alternatives out there - but from tack checking experience there does seem to be a fair be of confusion about what actually is a Dr Bristol and what a french link. A Dr Bristol has a flat often rectangular central lozenge which is angled relative to the mouthpiece to press down on the tongue creating a small weight bearing surface. Some also have a twist in the bars of the bit. They are considered severe. Although it is possible to fit the full cheek version upside down so the bit is flat on the tongue - it only works because the keepers on a full cheek keep the bit in position.

I've never used one myself so perhaps I'm biased but with the massive range of bits available these days there should be an alternative to the very sharp direct action on the tongue.
 
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What issue are you trying to solve and in what way don't you think they work?

my grey boy (should be in my signature) jumped in a Dr.Bristol and it was super for him.
he pulled like a train so jump, far too strong in other snaffles but I tried different actioned bits and he didn't take the contact at all which is disconcerting when jumping BE Novice courses!
put him back in his Dr.B and he went back to his lovely confident way of going but I still had some brakes.

he is the only one I have ridden in that bit though out of about 10 horses- he evented in it for 9 seasons so worked very well :)
 
Our cob/fell came with Dr Bristol, first horse, family of 5 novices, 4 being lead reined around, me going out solo on her (never ridden before).

Lost her brakes/taking the pee, a short time in a Cheltenham gag, regained her brakes.

Back to the Dr Bristol, which we were told was a snaffle, very light contact, excellent brakes, very safe hacking.

Wife starts dressage lessons, instructor sees the bit and tells us it wasn't dressage legal so into a French link with full cheek bars.

New yard, new instructor, who also schools her, now going well with excellent brakes in a plastic/nylon Happy Mouth snaffle.

French link was a bit of a wide fit, steering a bit sloppy, don't need cheek bars as she isn't strong/difficult.
 
I tried one for hunting and didn't notice much difference from the french link I hunted in before. I tried a kimblewick instead and felt much more comfortable.

However I think they are worth a try if you want a slightly stronger bit and only want one rein.
 
If this is for the 5yr old mare who is unbalanced at canter, it isn't a harsher bit for the horse that you need, it's stronger legs for the rider ,along with a good instructor.
To answer your question, the 'lozenge' in the Dr Bristol is slightly twisted, in comparison to the French link, and can cut into the horse's tongue. It is not a bit for a novice, nor is it dressage legal.
 
I have used them on some horses for XC and hunting .
It's a bit for grown up trained horse who gets a bit gun ho in exciting situations it's not a bit IMO for a young horse .
 
WOW love how people jump to conclusions on here :) I have several horses :)
Pearlsasinger said:
If this is for the 5yr old mare who is unbalanced at canter, it isn't a harsher bit for the horse that you need, it's stronger legs for the rider ,along with a good instructor.
To answer your question, the 'lozenge' in the Dr Bristol is slightly twisted, in comparison to the French link, and can cut into the horse's tongue. It is not a bit for a novice, nor is it dressage legal.
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