My favorite bit for the horses I ride tends to rotate among these:
JP Dr. Bristol Hunter D-ring (put on the bridle so it is mild and with makeshift bit keepers)–the horses seem to like this bit, at least until my MS and the summer heat degrade my hands. I love it because I can get a really good “conversation” going between my fingers and the horse’s tongue, much better than with any other bit. To get this “conversation” I have to ride with light contact and relaxed fingers. The curve of the mouthpiece of the JP bits gives the horse’s tongue extra room for comfort and communication. Without my make-shift bit keepers the first horse I tried it on was continually diving his head down, once I made my bit keepers for the D-ring he went back to normal civilized contact and started becoming more responsive. I really wish the JP Korsteel people made this bit in a full cheek eggbutt.
JP Full Cheek single joint Eggbutt snaffle (with bit keepers)–I just had to put this bit on the ancient Arab mare I ride, after 5-6 years using the above bit she decided it was moving too much in her mouth. Her contact has improved greatly. She seems to like the added stability of just one joint in her mouth, the bit keepers holding the mouthpiece stable and the lack of movement of the eggbutt. Again the JP curvature of the mouthpiece gives her sensitive tongue plenty of room.
Coronet (?) Mullen mouth eggbutt snaffle–for when my hands really deteriorate in the summer. This is the thinnest regular eggbutt Mullen mouth bit I’ve found-11mm? I noticed that my riding teacher is using a slightly thicker Korsteel eggbutt Mullen mouth on another horse I ride when someone else had lessons on him. This bit is simple, does not “jangle” in the mouth, and does not hurt as much when the rider’s hands go wrong. If your contact is heavy MANY horses will be very willing to let you support their heads by boring on this bit.
Another bit I’ve been playing with is the JP Copper Ball Link Full Cheek snaffle, again using bit keepers. I use this bit for variety, some horses really like the taste of copper and there are some horses who really like playing with the copper ball with their tongue. Again the JP curvature of the mouth gives the tongue plenty of room, and the small copper ball does not take up too much room in their mouths. Even with bit keepers this bit is pretty mobile on the horse’s tongue.
I also use leather bit guards on mysnaffle bits. The ones I got were expensive (they have a cute little buckle) but the horses just seem to accept the bits better when metal does not touch the outside of their mouths/heads. I don’t use rubber bit guards simply because EVERY horse I’ve tried them on HATED the taste of the rubber.
The only Pelham I like is the Show Pelham. This Pelham has a generous port for the tongue, and the snaffle rings are attached like the Fulmer snaffle rings except to the rear of the mouthpiece instead of the sides of the mouthpiece, giving more of a loose ring feel to the snaffle rein. It is made to be used with a brandoon strap to the snaffle ring (it looks like a double bridle from a distance.) Smith Worthington Saddlery sells this bit but WARNING–I had to have the blacksmith move the upper curb ring OUT around 3/8" to prevent rubbing. Once the upper curb ring is moved out I like this bit because I can feel the snaffle release before I use the curb rein. I would NOT use a bit converter on this Pelham.
Enjoy exploring the bits! Sometimes I get the feeling that horses consider bits sort of like we do jewelry, and boy can the horses get opinionated about them!
