Snaffle bits - nutcracker action?

[Dumbo]

My very easy tb is ridden in a single joint eggbutt snaffle although I recently heard about the 'nutcracker' action this bit is renown for!

He always tries to open his mouth (ridden in a flash and recently had his teeth done) so I'm starting to think that the bit is causing him pain? He really fights with the flash and appears very uncomfortable in his mouth, especially in trot or about 15 minutes into the ride. Please bare in mind that I always have a very light contact so I don't think I'm to blame for pulling on his mouth etc!

I was thinking about trying out a french link? Is this more mild? Or any other suggestions of very mild bits?

 

[WestCoast]

When I got my horse I ditched the flash and bought a Myler eggbutt comfort snaffle wide which seems to suit her.

Paula

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Ditch the flash and try a lozenge bit, or if you can borrow one try Myler comfort snaffle.

ETA. Horses either love or hate Mylers, they are expensive and come up big size wise., hence why borrowing one would be good.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

French link would be much less nutcracker-y so yes it could be a good option. I would also ditch the flash unless they really need it (and if they do, a drop noseband properly fitted is IMO far preferable to the flash)

 

[Tuffles 23]

When I got my horse I ditched the flash and bought a Myler eggbutt comfort snaffle wide which seems to suit her.

Paula

Did the same with my old boy and he go's so well in his Myler

 

[starryeyed]

Definitely give a french link or lozenge a go, they are much kinder in the mouth - I'd also suggest trying without the flash - let us know how you get on x

 

[VioletStripe]

I have an NS Team Up which has a lozenge which my boy loves He absolutely hated a Myler comfort loose ring, I found out after buying

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Your horse is trying to tell you that he is uncomfortable inhis mouth, hence fighting the flash and trying toopen his mouth. The single jointed snaffle will be poking his soft pallet, no matter how soft your hands are.
As others have said a French link is likely to be a good bit at least to try. Some of the more expensive makes, such as Myler and NS make a version of French link which they say is more comfortable for the horse.
Some horses prefer a mullen-mouthed bit.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Sorry - just wanted to pick up on this...

Myler eggbutt comfort snaffle

Eggbutt relates to the mouthpiece.

Here is a D ring eggbutt and a loose ring eggbutt.

Here is a Myler comfort snaffle with D rings and a Myler comfort snaffle with loose rings.

 

[Tuffles 23]

My old boy has the Myler fixed ring .

 

[mandwhy]

What about the mouthpiece makes it an eggbutt then Faracat? I thought it was the type of ring/fitting/whatever you call it that was like a d ring but more rounded?

OP yes try a French link or more expensive anatomical version if you like, I really don't like flashes when a horse is trying to open its mouth against it all the time for this very reason.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Eggbutt = one single joint.

 

[longdog]

No - Eggbutt is the end (butt) of the bit where it lies against the horses face & is a rounder version of the D ring.
You can get an eggbutt lozenge or french link or single jointed bit.

 

[Ashgrove]

Sorry - just wanted to pick up on this...



Eggbutt relates to the mouthpiece.

Here is a D ring eggbutt and a loose ring eggbutt.

Here is a Myler comfort snaffle with D rings and a Myler comfort snaffle with loose rings.

Eggbutt is a type of cheek.

The first picture is a single jointed mouth piece with D ring cheeks.

The second picture is a single jointed mouth piece with loose ring cheeks.

The third picture is A Myler Comfort Snaffle mouth piece with D ring cheeks.

The fourth picture is A Myler Comfort Snaffle mouth piece with loose ring cheeks.

 

[WestCoast]

There are a couple of shops that let you try a bit for 28 days before you commit to buy it. They are a little more expensive than some places, but you have the peace of mind knowing that you can swap if it doesn't suit.

Paula

 

[diamonddogs]

Another vote for the Myler Comfort. It was the only bit that Kels didn't put her tongue over, and the only reason I don't ride Sham in it is it didn't fit her because it was slightly too big for her, but I'll get one for her when I can afford it!

Bear in mind if you decide to try one they do come up big so you might want to borrow or hire one a size down before you buy.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Interesting.

Not what I was taught, but there you go.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Eggbutt refers to the D-type cheek rings which fix the mouth piece more firmly than a loose-ring where the rings allow for more movement of the mouth-piece. The bits illustrated in Faracats 1st 2 photos are single-jointed snaffles. Other mouthpieces can have either eggbutt or loose-ring cheeks.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Interesting.

Not what I was taught, but there you go.

Who taught you?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

You learn something every day.

ETA.

Who taught you?

A very interesting, very BHS lady who would tell tales of when 'warmbloods were first imported to this country' etc... She was a real character.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You learn something every day.

ETA.

A very interesting, very BHS lady who would tell tales of when 'warmbloods were first imported to this country' etc... She was a real character.

Oh dear, she was wrong on this occasion.