I have always been taught that a French link is the type with the bean or lozenge shaped link, and that a Dr Bristol has a plate. However I have seen in a couple different places people calling a bit with a plate a French link because the plate is not at a 45 degree angle. So my question is, does the plate HAVE to be angled 45 degrees to be a Dr Bristol? And if it isn’t, would it really be considered a French link even though it isn’t the bean/lozenge type link? Thanks in advance!
This is a French link. It has a flat plate like center piece.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/jp-korsteel-french-link-hunter-dee-snaffle-bit/p/X1-010061/
A French link has a flat plate that’s flat and kind of peanut-shaped. It’s a mild bit because of the double joints: http://meisterider.com/images/French%20Link%20Full%20Cheek%20Bit.JPG
A Dr. Bristol also has a flat plate, but it’s straight and is at an angle to the rest of the bit, which makes it much harsher than a French link because the edge of the plate exerts pressure on the tongue: http://www.tackroominc.com/images/144946sm.jpg
A bit with the lozenge shaped link I’ve always just heard been called a lozenge: http://www.tackroominc.com/images/SprengerD-RingBit.jpg
Good question!
Ask two horsemen and you will get at least 3 different opinions!
Here is my take on it.
In order to be a Dr. Bristol, it needs to have at least these TWO characteristics:
A- A flat, RECTANGULAR center piece. (The example in gumshoe’s post is a French link, and NOT a Dr. Bristol, because the center piece is “figure 8 shaped”, not rectangular)
B- Built so that the plate is as right angles to the tongue, not resting flat on the tongue. Note that , with most rings (loose ring, D-ring, eggbutt) the horse can (and will) rotate the bit in its mouth so the plate rests flat on the tongue. Therefore, in order to act as a true Dr. Bristol, the rings either need to be a full cheek (with keepers) or a Baucher. Both of those will prevent the horse from rotating the bit in its mouth.
But you will find plenty of people who will define a Dr Bristol JUST by A, with no interest in B. But, IMHO, if the horse rotates the bit so the plate is flat on the tongue, it is really just a French Link.
What Janet said, however I choose to use a bit that will rotate and isn’t really set at an angle on purpose. My horse loves the flat link, but hates any sort of lozenge, roller, or fig eight piece.
