Given two bits, both ordinary single-joint snaffles, same material, one a D-ring, one an eggbutt. I’ve ridden with an eggbutt but not a D-ring.
How are they alike? How are they different?
D-rings have a bit more of an influence on steering, similar to how a full-cheek does. If you don’t need that (more educated horse), I’d go with an eggbutt.
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Ditto
I’ll differ slightly. Some horses prefer the stability that an eggbutt or D ring gives–the sides of the bit don’t move and don’t transmit every little touch on the reins.
But, some horses like a little play with the bit and like moving the bit around in their mouths.
So like everything else–it depends.
I think you are talking about a loose ring snaffle.
OP asked the difference between eggbutt and D-ring, which basically is that the D-ring offers some help in steering the horse.
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Nice descriptions here http://thebitguide.com/snaffle/cheeks/dee-ring-snaffle/
[h=1]Dee Ring Snaffle[/h]
A dee ring snaffle bit is a compromise between an eggbutt and a full cheek snaffle. It has vertical shanks that extend above and below the mouthpiece, and these are joined on the top and bottom by a D-shaped ring on swivel joints. Like the eggbutt, it helps prevent pinching at the corners of the mouth, though generally without as much bulk as an eggbutt, and it provides fairly substantial lateral control through the vertical shanks, though without the dangers posed by the arms on a full cheek snaffle.
Because of this combination of control and safety, the dee ring snaffle has been popular in horse racing and jumping disciplines for a long time.
As with the eggbutt snaffle, the fixed position of the cheeks and mouthpiece mean that this bit is less mobile in the horse’s mouth, for better or worse. In disciplines where high sensitivity is required, such as dressage, the fixed position is generally disadvantageous. However, with horses who need extra control in high energy situations, the tradeoff is undoubtably worthwhile. Because the shanks are longer and straighter than the sides of an eggbutt, the dee ring exerts more lateral force on the sides of the mouth, and is less able to be pulled through the mouth, thus affording more control in turning, though slightly less than with a full cheek snaffle.
With the dee rings attached at the top and bottom of these shanks, the point of rotation is somewhat further away from the mouthpiece than on an eggbutt horse bit, thus making it arguably less mobile and somewhat harsher through a slight leverage action, depending on the angle of the force applied.
[h=1]Eggbutt Snaffle[/h]
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The eggbutt is a common multi-discipline style of cheek piece for snaffle bits.
The eggbutt snaffle minimizes two problems that can arise with its cousin, the loose ring snaffle, whose rings can pinch the edges of the horse’s mouth, and which doesn’t provide much lateral stabilization. By flaring out the ends of the mouthpiece and joining the rings with flush swivel joints above and below where the lips contact the edge of the bit, the eggbutt can be a more comfortable alternative for many horses. The edges of the mouthpiece are less likely to pinch the horse’s lips, and because the cheek is fixed in relation to the mouthpiece, the bit offers moderate lateral control.
When the bit is pulled laterally through the mouth, there is some resistance on the opposite side, which can help encourage the horse to turn with less danger of pulling the bit through the mouth than exists with a loose ring snaffle, though more than with a dee-ring or full cheek snaffle.
By having rings fixed to the mouthpiece, the eggbutt does give up some mobility, in that the position of the mouthpiece is more influenced by the movement and position of the cheek pieces than by the movement of the horse’s mouth, unlike the case with a loose ring snaffle. While this in generally somewhat of a disadvantage in disciplines that require sensitive control with consistent rein contact, such as dressage, the fixed position can be advantageous with horses that tend to play with the bit too much.
The lateral movement of the cheek piece is slightly more restricted than in a loose ring, since the metal can bind where it joins the mouthpiece. A relatively new innovative style of eggbutt-loose ring hybrid minimizes these problems by having sleeves in the mouthpiece through which the rings can pass, thus protecting the lips while having more range of movement. In either case, the bit is generally bulkier around the lips, which while more comfortable for some horses, can cause others to draw their lips back. However, in general, the eggbutt is a good, safe choice for an all-purpose bit.
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Eggbutt has a bit more play in the mouth. D-ring is a quieter bit, but can result in jaw tension since you don’t have the slight movement of the eggbutt. I love the eggbutt. It’s a nice happy medium between the no movement of the D-ring and the lot’s of movement you would get with a loose ring.
