I understand this bit to be a mild bit, as my horse does not try to run through the bit on lean on it. I’ve now seen comments on other sites though, that this bit is a “harder” bit and not as gentle as I had understood. Thoughts? I’ll be trying it on Sunday. (Of course if he hates it, I’ll defer to his opinion :winkgrin:)
Go to the recent thread on bitting advice (spelled biting). There were some excellent links there to research on how bits work from Hilary Clayton. Very good information to have a knowledge base to help you sort out the random comments “on the internet.”
The French link bit has the advantage of not poking the horse in the palate. As far as it’s ability to cause pain on the tounge that depends what the lozenge center piece does. Some models have a sharper edge that rotates into the tongue. Those are harsher. Others have a very round lozenge and I can’t see where they would be any harsher than a regular snaffle.
Looking at this bit it does seem to have a ridge to torque into the tongue and says as much in the description.
I like this bit a lot.
Double joint snaffles put more pressure on the tongue (vs the single joint’s pressure on the lower jaw), so your horse will have to decide which he prefers, but…
A rounded center link is more comfortable than a flat edge, and the flat rings that connect the center link to the rest of the mouthpiece also help to minimize tongue pressure.
Copper (and copper alloys) are usually welcomed by most horses.
Thanks for the input! I’ll be going out Sunday so we’ll see what he thinks of it. I had to get a new one anyway, as the smallest bit I have is about 1/4" too big for him, so I figured I’d try the double-joint.
For what it’s worth my fat tongue, low palate, cob LOVES the Stubben lozenge link mouthpiece better than any bit we have tried. Ours just happens to be the baucher cheek rather than a dee. The shape of the mouthpiece bars and lozenge work well for his mouth shape and pressure preferences.
This is one of the standard bits that we use at my yard on a number of different horses (eventers mostly, from breakers up to 3* level). I actually bought it originally when I was doing my bitting analyst study course to use for one of my case study horses. He liked it and so has everyone else!
Update-- My horse really seems to like this bit. He chews softly, and has “lipstick” but no excessive slobber. He would also do an occasional little nose flip with the old bit, but doesn’t do it all with this one. So I think he approves!
