Which bit to use?

[Holly]

What snaffle bits do people recommend for a young horse established at basic preliminary level with an average ('sometimes makes mistakes') rider :?
I am wondering whether loose ring or egg butt styles are best, can someome please advise the pros and cons of each type?
Also, do you prefer single or double jointed snaffles (french link)?
All information appreciated!

[ann]

What snaffle bits do people recommend for a young horse established at basic preliminary level with an average ('sometimes makes mistakes') rider :?
I am wondering whether loose ring or egg butt styles are best, can someome please advise the pros and cons of each type?
Also, do you prefer single or double jointed snaffles (french link)?
All information appreciated!My hands were never the lightest around, and I worked mostly with horses that had some Arabian blood in them, which meant that they tended to poke their noses up and out anyway. Half moon snaffles seemed to be the best method of communication - no nutcracker action. We ended up with nice round outlines, and the poll the highest point.

[Equine Elegance]

Half-moon? Is that a D-ring Ann?

We use french-link eggbutts on most of ours, one mare has a KK loose ring. KK is similar to the french but the link in the middle is more a bean shape rather than flat, and I think it joins the other way? Squigg has an FM on at the minute, but she isn't broken yet and it's only to keep the bit stabilised in her mouth while we get her used to being bridled.

Our young TB has a french on, he seems to go pretty well in that. We haven't really experimented with other bits though. The double jointed seem to be a more gentle bit, but that's only my observation.

Your local saddlery might be able to help you out in making a decision as well.

[ann]

Half-moon? Is that a D-ring Ann?
No, it is a snaffle that has no joint in the middle, but is curved to accommodate the tongue. Its ring is like an egg-butt. Very mild in its action.

[Tash]

I am a fan of loose ring snaffles. Some people think they pinch but provided it fits properly, pinching isn't an issue. I use both loose ring sweet iron snaffle and a loose ring KK on my TB.. I find the KK is a very kind, mild bit. Our breaks don't always work the best with the KK but i find my TB is lovely and light with it. With a loose ring your horse can decide how much of the bit he wants to hold in his mouth- it's design allows a little movement in their mouth. Loose rings are very popular for young horses.

A fine headed horse will normally find a thick bit uncomfortable, since there is not enough space for this type of bit in his mouth. Horses with thin jaw bones will find straight bits or jointed bits with straight mouth pieces less comfortable than bits that wrap around the bars a little more, French link or other double jointed bits or bits with curved mouth pieces. Many thoroughbred horses have narrow jaw bones. Many Arab, and therefore, many thoroughbred horses also have a low hard palate. These horses are more sensitive to the fit of the bit.
http://www.foxhunter.on.ca/tackshop/AboutBits/AboutBits.htm

[AMM46]

My Anglo has put me through the wringer and back with his bit issues! I have spent $$$$'s and bought heaps of bits trying to find the one where he wont shake his head, wont try to cross his jaw, wont snatch at the reins, wont go behind the vertical, wont hollow out!
I've tried sweet irons, loose rings, KK Ultra - what worked?

The French snaffle! I tried a loose ring at first, but found the egg butt better, he is now soft, round and works much lower and we are actually doing some nice work now.
Oh we have the occasional dummy spit but it doesnt have anything to do with the bit, he just has the attention span of a moth!

Being an Anglo he has a low pallette - the KK on the advice of someone, was way to thick at 18mm and hit him in the top of the mouth, I could not persevere with that so anyone want a KK Ultra in german silver?

[Ivanka]

No, it is a snaffle that has no joint in the middle, but is curved to accommodate the tongue. Its ring is like an egg-butt. Very mild in its action.

Yep, I just switched my horses to it!!! they love it.....

The bit is curved and has 1 joint in the middle.

[ann]

Yep, I just switched my horses to it!!! they love it.....

The bit is curved and has 1 joint in the middle.Hmmm, the half-moon doesn't have a joint in the middle. This is one reason the horses with Arabian blood like it, because there's no joint to crash into the low hard palate, and no nutcracker action to pinch the tongue. But it's a very direct action.