French Link Bits

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

Ive heard a french link snaffle is milder than a normal jointed snaffle? is this true? ive always imagined a french link to be harsher?

[jovi_y2k2]

because it is double jointed it eliminates the nut-cracker action that single jointed bits have and spread the pressure more evenly across the tongue and it is this which makes it a milder bit.
The doctor bristol bit which is also double jointed is stronger as the middle plate is angled so that when pressure is put on the bit it digs into the tongue

[chev]

There's also the shape of a horse's mouth to take into consideration. Native types tend to have thick tongues which makes the nutcracker action of a single jointed bit very uncomfortable. You can get 'pinchless' single joints which eliminate the nutcracker action but may still have a tendency to pinch a fleshy tongue.

Lots of TB types however go better in a single joint than a double jointed bit.

[Wally]

The Shetlands much prefer the French link to a straight bar ot single joint.

[ClaireBear_nz]

My Anglo-Arab definitely prefers the french link to a single joint.

[joey_olop]

My boy cant stand either-sensitive little soul, I think will have to try a myler or neuel scheul(sp??!!!).

He is a cross breed & doesnt have an overly large tongue. I was told when I had my loan horse that a french link provides more brakes than a snaffle, but I dont think thats true!

[cariadbach10]

My cob went really well in a french link but my arab hates it - too big in the mouth....think it weorks better for cobby types?

[aeron]

The bit does not provide your "brakes"..... training your horse to stop when you tell him to does. In other words, if your horse is not stopping when you ask, it is a trainer (rider) error, not a student (your horse) error. If your horse ignores the bit, changing to a stronger bit will only teach your horse to ignore a stronger bit. Teach the horse to stop with a body cue (for example sitting back, exhaling, etc.), and then the type of bit doesn't matter. You won't even need a bit! Check out my site for more info: NaturalHorsemanship.biz (http://www.naturalhorsemanship.biz)and click on Why Bitless is Better.
Happy riding! : )

[Joyscarer]

The bit does not provide your "brakes"..... training your horse to stop when you tell him to does. In other words, if your horse is not stopping when you ask, it is a trainer (rider) error, not a student (your horse) error. If your horse ignores the bit, changing to a stronger bit will only teach your horse to ignore a stronger bit. Teach the horse to stop with a body cue (for example sitting back, exhaling, etc.), and then the type of bit doesn't matter. You won't even need a bit! Check out my site for more info: NaturalHorsemanship.biz (http://www.naturalhorsemanship.biz)and click on Why Bitless is Better.
Happy riding! : )


Don't agree with that. Nothing wrong with changing the bit to break a habit and then returning to the original if that works in all other circumstances. That's what I sucessfully did without teaching her to ignor the new one :rolleyes:

[michelle c]

my mare prefers the single jointed bits with curve in them, if you know what i mean:o

[Siogfinsceal]

The french link can be milder as it does not have a nutcracker action and sits in a curve in the mouth. i have found them fantastic on young horses and on horses that tend to lean. They are not as inclined to lean on a french link as a snaffle and many of them 'play' with the middle link and learn to salivate.
be careful not to confuse them with a dr bristol which has an angled middle piece and is quite severe