I don’t think Sprenger does, but I know for a fact that Neue Scheule does.
I get mixed reactions from the horses on the Sprenger bits. Some like them. Some don’t. Two actually have an allergic reaction to the aurigan. I have found that some horses are more comfortable/relaxed in an eggbutt. There used to be a couple of places where you could rent bits. No longer have the links. Perhaps someone else does.
I think the Sprenger bits are worth the money–so long as your horse likes them and you enjoy the response/reaction you get.
I like the way the KK Ultra sits on the tongue of the horse, it is a good improvement over the original KK which most of my horses did not like.
There are a lot of 3-piece jointed snaffles out there now, and honestly, the only way to be sure is to try them. I think 3-piece as an idea is a lot more than just a fad–I noticed years ago that horses seemed to go well in the old French links, so when the original KK came out, got those,and when the KK Ultra came out-bingo! the last piece of that partiocular puzzle seemed to be found.
That is what friends are for! LOL
Also, some tack shops will allow you to try a bit,so long as you are able to return it with no tooth marks,wear,etc etc.
I have (cough cough) a rather extensive bit collection, and find that the KK Ultra just continues to work for me/the horses, usually in the 16mm for snaffles and 14 mm for the doubles. I like the independent rein connection and the horses seem to like the feeling in their mouths.
In comparing, say, the angle and shape of a french link, to a KK Ultra bean…Do typical french link bits sit comfortably on the horse’s tongue? Many people use french links as a mild bit… I was looking at a french link picture compared to a KK Ultra picture (where the bean is lying at a very different angle than a french link). If the french link does not lie comfortably on a horse’s tongue because of its angle, why would so many horses go well in one? Or does the angle of the french link get more comfortable once it’s in the horse’s mouth? Here are pics of the two (they’re the show jumper model, sorry! but same question applies:
KK Ultra:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01486
French Link:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/korsteel-2-ring-french-elevator-horse-bit/p/X1-010248/cn/1473/
I do not think any horse that likes the KKs will go as well in the French link–but there is a huge variation in the link used in the French links… I think what horses react to is the way the bit sits on their tongue.
With a mouthy horse, I like to go from one extreme to the other. THat is to say, either a bit with a lot of movement, or a bit with none at all.
I have a TB gelding who came to me with the most horrible teeth I’ve ever seen. He was very protective of his mouth, even after a year with good dentistry. I trired full cheek french link, french link Fulmer, Myler comfort snaffle, a Waterford D - probably about six others that escape me at the moment - nothing seemed to help much. Then I just backed off and thought about it for a while. His current bit is a metal mullen mouth eggbut. He loves it. He’s progressing much more quickly now that he’s not constantly worried about his mouth. I’ll probably be showing him before the end of the summer.
Yep, in fact the exact bit I want is on e-bay in a 4.75 right now. BUMMER!
I am not sure why my horse didn’t like the french link, but I’ve heard that a) the edge can irritate the tongue, and b) they can pinch.
The KK is on an angle, while the french link is SUPPOSED to lie fairly flat. The Dr. Bristol is supposed to dig in, I think. According to HS, they discovered that both dig in a little bit, and that the rotated, soft bean is most comfortable.
Obviously I’m all about new technology, if it’s real. That’s why I’m asking people who’ve actually used them :winkgrin:.
OK, now I’m confused. Does anyone know the difference between the KK Ultra and the Dynamic RS bits?
A proper French link sits flat on the tongue and a Dr. Bristol does not. I’ve seen a lot of bits for sale advertised as French links when, in fact, they are really Bristols.
Eileen
[QUOTE=Iride;3203505]
I. . .
KK Ultra:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01486
French Link:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/korsteel-2-ring-french-elevator-horse-bit/p/X1-010248/cn/1473/[/QUOTE]
That’s not a French link. That’s a Bristol.
This is a French link:
http://www.equine-direct.co.uk/images/bits3.jpg
Eileen
Well that probably explains why my horse hated the “french link!”
:uhoh:
I have to double check the bit, but it is a Korsteel eggbut “french link.” I think you’re right, it’s actually a Dr. Bristol. Except Korsteel also sells a dr. bristol. I’m confused.
I think this is like the one I have:
http://www.horsefroogle.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=11077
This is what they call a Dr. Bristol.
http://www.horsefroogle.com/JP-Korsteel-Dr-Bristol-Hunter-Dee-p/11073.htm
the only difference seems to be a wider link. 
I’m spending way too much time confused about bits on mother’s day!
eta: This site says that the one I have is a french link, and a dr. bristol is angled?
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/bit_gallery/frenchlink/
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/tack_apparel/bit_gallery/drbristol/
Ambrey,
I was taught that a French sits flat to the tongue. Anything else – anything that has edge to the tongue, whether it’s angled or upright – is a Bristol.
Your confusion is why I decided the hey-hiddly with French links and tried the KK lozenge. It’s like a French, but bean-like, and no chance of getting a Bristol or some such thingy by mistake. Mare liked it, I like it and I’m happy I didn’t stick a Bristol in her mouth by mistake.
Those Bristols can be nasty.
Eileen
my first reaction is for you to try an inexpensive eggbut…this is what worked for me. No need to spend more to get a nice reaction. My hrose hated the french link lose ring. Too “busy”. If this hadn’t worked I would have tried HS but I think they are not necessarily worth the money. It depends on the horse. My old trainer swore by them but my new trainer thinks they are not a “miracle cure”. Its kind of like saddles and golfclubs, sometimes paying more IS worth it, but not always. Just like anything it can be a lot of “hype”…and its our job as the owner to do what is best for our horse and our checkbook.
So…then, many Dr Bristols are incorrectly (though surely not purposely) advertised and sold as French Links. This to me is extremely upsetting!
The French links are always hourglass shaped…when they are that shape and advertised as french links YET positioned on the bit the way a Dr. Bristol is (vertical on the tongue, not flat against it), should we assume the maker of the french link is the one in error? :mad:
[QUOTE=Iride;3204243]
So…then, many Dr Bristols are incorrectly (though surely not purposely) advertised and sold as French Links. This to me is extremely upsetting!
The French links are always hourglass shaped…when they are that shape and advertised as french links YET positioned on the bit the way a Dr. Bristol is (vertical on the tongue, not flat against it), should we assume the maker of the french link is the one in error? :mad:[/QUOTE]
I would say yes, because it’s the manufacturer’s tags that determine what it’s sold as.
I. Love. This. Site.
This is Teresa’s “Sustainable Dressage” site and this is the section on her page that deals with “The regular snaffle”. She talks about Bristols et al AND she talks about some studies that the Herme Sprenger company did on the horse’s mouth:
http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php#bit
The entire site is REALLY worth looking at.
Eileen
I’ve seen that site and while it has some v. good info, her text seems to mostly focus on what she doesn’t like and says little about what is good/what she does like. Have you noticed the same?
[QUOTE=Iride;3204267]
I’ve seen that site and while it has some v. good info, her text seems to mostly focus on what she doesn’t like and says little about what is good/what she does like. Have you noticed the same?[/QUOTE]
Yep, but IMO it’s just how she writes. When she says she doesn’t like something, she tells you why. Like:
“The name “Slow Twist” gives me connotations of a torture tool. You twist slowly, and the subject screams. It’s not as bad as that. But with this kind of snaffle one can do the “Wrist Test”. Put it around your wrist and pull on the rings with the other hand. Pretty sharp, huh? It’s the ridges in the twist that does it. Recycle bin.”
I like the fact that she doesn’t scream which are the “best” things to use, but addresses them, explains what they are, and why they are good, and leaves it up to the individual to try them and see:
“There are some double jointed snaffles that have other shapes to the “bean” in the middle, such as the “oval mouth” range, which has an unusually big bean in the middle. I have not tried these myself, so I can’t really say anything about them, except that they by necessity take up more space in the mouth of the horse. But as I have said before - it can work for some horses. One just has to try it.”
Course I don’t agree with everything she says, but it’s a darn good read none-the-less.
Eileen
I know, I’ve fallen back on that site more than once. She also says that the Dr. Bristol is angled, rather than vertical.
Just to add some confusion:
http://www.horse-sense.org/archives/brisfren.php
In a French link bit, the center link is rounded, shaped, and designed to lie smoothly on the horse’s tongue.
A correctly-designed Dr. Bristol (and many are NOT well-made, which adds to the confusion) has a center link that is a long, thin plate set at a slight angle. A proper Dr. Bristol is designed to be used in TWO ways – it can be put into the horse’s mouth so that the plate lies flat and works almost like a French-link, OR it can be put into the horse’s mouth so that the plate lies at about a 45-degree angle. This is when it is severe – and this is why the Dr. Bristol is a traditional alternative to a Kimblewicke or similar curb for a horse that gets too strong out hunting, or going cross-country.
hay now, it’s all about the monkey handling the reins of the Bristol, they’re not all evil!
I’ve had several very fleshy-mouthed horses (Two fjords, on APHA) who went really, really nicely in a Dr. Bristol fullcheek, fitted so the link was the flat way not the angle way. And the angled way was THE three bears’ porridge for the Fjord stallion. He set that neck/head/jaw against you… and you were scr#wed. :lol: It was just enough while still being legal. (I really liked wonder bits with two reins for hacking out on fit driving/draft Fjords too–heathen that I am! :lol: )
I SO WANT my horses to go in a french link. Not a one of them likes one. I believe the action is more even, less harsh, etc. etc. But none of the actual HORSES likes them. Go figure.
It’s their mouth, I generally let them decide. As long as it’s legal. 
