Has anyone used one? What do you find it good for? Mostly just curious after seeing one “live” for the first time…
Love them. Nice on a horse that leans or gets heavy (think of the type you’d typically use a Waterford or maybe even a segunda on). The flat edges get a response, but it’s not sharp or harsh.
I like it for a horse that gets heavy and leans on the bit, but also doesn’t go well in something twisted or ported. We played musical bits forever with the mare I ride and never quite found one that would back her off but also not piss her off until we tried a Pletcher with her.
Which mouthpiece are you asking about?
The thin figure 8?
The 1/2 twist figure 8?
The square figure 8?
Or ?
IMO it rides as much less bit than it looks. It’s good for one that gets heavy but not necessarily strong.
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I didn’t realize there were multiple types. The one I saw was this one…
i’m not a fan. i think it gives them a false breakover at the poll. that said, i also tend to like really simple bits and have contact. even w my strongest horse that pulled, i instantly hated this when I tried it.
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Yes. Here is a square mouthpiece.
Farm House Tack also has a Dee ring and a full cheek in the other mouth piece.
I can’t find a link to the twist version at the moment. Might be on Amazon in Canada or somewhere? Or maybe a photo that looked twisted? Lol.
That is exactly what I think. It’s probably a good bit for horses that lean but for horses that do not and are a little more broke I find it a little too much for them. Requires some give and take especially on the outside rein (which is not bad if the rider knows how to do that properly) but in the hands of a novice I don’t think it’s a good choice.
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I did a consult with a bitting specialist, who was very against the Pletcher. I know a lot of hunter trainers like it because it looks like a D ring snaffle from the outside, but it is very flat and thin and can be sharp, so people use it for horses that can be strong. I was told to use it with my mare when jumping because she can be strong (she went in a Neue Schule turtle top on the flat) but stopped using it once I learned more about it, and instead use a Bomber Dee with a roller and my mare loves it for both flatting and jumping. Once I learned more about the Pletcher I stopped using it, and my mare and I are both happy with the switch.
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I like it for the hack- makes a round horse poke its nose out a bit - but I find mine tend to get a bit heavy in front over fences
Just curious… it pokes its nose to avoid the discomfort of the edges?
If we’re ok with this:
Then this should be ok too, right? Surface area is just about the same.
There is no such thing as a “miracle bit”.
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It’s not the same surface area, the pletcher bit is flat front to back and kind of a plate. I am not saying it’s soft, but thats not a fair comparison.
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How does it rest against the horses lips? Like a flat plate? Or like a knife? (Rhetorical)
It is 100% a fair comparison. Another view:
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The same number of pounds of pressure dispersed over more surface area including the tongue means less coming onto the corners of the lips. I am trying to determine how I could use a rein aid on a hunter with light contact to direct 100% of the force backward onto the corner of the lip, and I am failing to understand, but perhaps I am ignorant or my arms are too short.
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The tension on the corners of the mouth are the same. The pletcher bit is arguably more narrow.
My trainer heard a BNT once describe it as “looks mild from the outside, can stop a freight train.”
And since then, she hasn’t allowed one in the barn (not that we had any before.)
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I have been using one on a TB who did get heavy especially to the right. I have very soft hands and barely touch his mouth. I have never had to pull on him so can’t agree/disagree with the freight train assessment. I will say that I have felt him get behind it at shows.
So since we are talking Hunter bits, what is a soft Dee bit that encourages the horse to be round and soft?
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I like the turtle top for that: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/neue-schule-turtle-top-flex-hunter-d-16mm-18413
(I am also a fan of the Pletcher when used in capable hands on an appropriate horse.)
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