wilkie snaffe bits?

[faye123]

I was thinking of getting one for my 5 year old section a has anyone used one of these before? How did you find them?

[Mehitabel]

i am not enormously keen on them, they work in the same way as a dutch gag - the ring rotates to put pressure on the poll. i've found them very useful for ponies who stick their ears up your nose and shoot off, but counterproductive for asking for an outline, as they tend to put the pony onto the forehand, also they tend to come with very narrow mouthpieces, and if the rider's hands are not 100% steady (as it's an A, there mightr be a small child riding?) the pony tends to sit behind the bit and in a fixed outline to avoid te bit.

i don't think they are a bit for a young pony, but useful for an established one who forgets manners in moments of excitement. i hate seeing them on leadrein ponies.

[faye123]

yes there was an article in horse and hound about them working like a gag but the maker of the bit was saying they are perfect for children who are heavy with their hands? She is not ridden by children shes ridden by me and her co-owner who are adults.

[Mehitabel]

i'd strongly disagree they are useful for kids with heavy hands!! some of the mouthpieces are like wire - the horse backs off even the lightest contact.

if ridden by adults who can ride though, and are not 'handy' it's a different matter, but i still think they're only really useful for control purposes when the pony sticks head up and goes.

they are exactly the same as a dutch gag/3-ring, just with fewer rings.

[faye123]

ok thankyou for your reply:)

[Daffy Dilly]

I got told to get one to put Daffy in an outline, by the person who created the original. It didn't work, and I've only used it twice. :rolleyes:

They're a fashion thing right now, so unless you have a genuine reason for wanting one I'm sure you could find something more effective if schooling isn't doing the trick.