Any suggestions for strongest type of snaffle bit?

J

juliedorman

New Member
Apr 22, 2008
248
0
0
Hook Norton, Oxfordshire
My daughter Leah has a strong little 11.2hh, we have had a lot of bit issues and tried different things. We use a Tom Thumb with flash strap for jumping which works very well for them (have tried hanging waterford snaffle which pony just ignores), for showing they manage with a hanging snaffle. They have just started pony club mounted games training and hope to compete with the team but we have been told for the pony club competitions they can only use ordinary snaffles. In racing and sharp turn situations Leah will need something to try and get control, people have mentioned Dr Bristol snaffle, copper roller snaffles - anyone got any suggestions for the strongest snaffle bit? I am not sure if a flash strap will be allowed, will have to find out.
 
Please, please, please do not be tempted by a Dr Bristol - bits at that level are just plain cruel!! Why not see if you are allowed to use a bit with different cheekpeices such as a full cheek snaffle which would not allow the bit to pass through the mouth and will apply pressure to the outside of the mouth to encourage the turn which will make the aid more difficult for the pony to evade without increasing the discomfort threshold.

Stronger bits are not always the answer and more often than not, more strength = more discomfort. It is often better to study why the current bit is not giving the desired effect. If the mouthpiece is not the right shape or design for the mouth and is uncomfortable, the pony will open it's mouth even more to try and alleviate that. Using something with a stronger mouthpeice is going to increase the pony's need/want to do that further so try and look for alternative ways of getting round the problem rather than just going for the stronger option.
 
i think you will find your not aloud double jointed snaffles in pony club so you will not be able to use a dr bristol and really is way to harsh for a young child the pony will prob fight and you wont get anywhere
 
I wouldn't want to cause pain or discomfort, I didn't realise the bit is that harsh and had only knew they existing a couple of days ago, it is difficult though as I have ridden her briefly myself and she is very strong indeed. With the Tom Thumb on she seems to know and you barely have to use any pressure on it and my daughter is very gentle on her mouth, without a good bit she may just be too strong for Leah to take part in the games. The hanging cheek snaffle just doesn't work for jumping or games.:confused:
 
It might be worth trying different types of 'ordinary' mouthpiece, some ponies with fleshy tongues respond better to a straight bar mullen mouth bit rather than one with a joint. I agree a Dr Bristol can be very harsh especially in the wrong hands. Also as Freeform UK said, it's definitely worth trying a bit with cheeks if steering is the problem.
 
Further progress with the bit enquiries, Dr Bristol definitely not allowed. Although I had mixed reports on this bit, checked with a local saddler and some other contacts who said did not feel this bit was severe if used correctly, but however pony club do check in ponies mouths and it is not allowed. After much rule checking and more advice from a couple of contacts we are going to try a loose ring, double jointed snaffle with lozenge - hope this does the trick. Many thanks for all advice.:)
 
We use a flash strap on the noseband which helps, we have to change the bit as Tom Thumb not allowed with mounted games and Leah can only just about cope in a showing class with a hanging snaffle. She does lean on the bit, so hopefully the loose ring may help. Any other suggestions with nosebands?
 
french links should be allowed, as they are classed as snaffles, sounds like the pc use the same bitting rules as dressage.
It could also be worth trying fulmer snaffles with the cheek bits fitted to keep the bit in the correct postion.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
maybe a grakle noseband(are they allowed? ) like a flash but puts more pressure on the front of the face depending on how its fitted, or a drop noseband that goes in front of the bit? have you got her in a martingale? maybe bit coated in copper or sweet iron? or maybe just d-ring snaffle? maybe its just a case of trying evrything permitted in different combinations?
good luck x
 
the prince philip rules seems to say

1. Loose ring snaffle
2.a Snaffle with double-jointed mouthpiece (French link)
2.b Snaffle with double-jointed mouthpiece
2.c Snaffle with double-jointed mouthpiece with Lozenge
3. Egg-butt snaffle
4. Racing snaffle D-ring
5. Hanging cheek snaffle
6. Straight bar snaffle. Permitted also with mullen mouth & eggbutt rings.
7. Snaffle with rotating mouthpiece
8. Double jointed with roller in the centre
9. Unjointed wavy snaffle (plastic or rubber only).
Click to expand...

are the permitted bits ?

http://pcuk.mcs01.community.net.uk/output/disciplines/MGRulesbook2008.pdf
 
The Dr Bristol is a severe and imvho, cruel bit. The central lozenge is a flat plate which is set at an angle for the purpose of applying sharp pressure to the tongue. Generally what happens is that the bit rotates a little in the mouth when contact is made which increases the angle and that plate can cut into the "hump" of the tongue which is the thick area of the tongue that fits up into the roof of the horses mouth. This is why bit shape and thickness is important in getting the best out of the horse and can be as tricky as saddle fitting. Resistance, leaning etc is not necessarily a result of needing a stronger bit, just a different fit or action but you might find that something along the lines of a french link or what you've described as trying will have a similar feel to what your pony's used to. Just make sure though that the lozenge in the middle of the bit isn't too thick for a little mouth or it will make swallowing difficult.
 
A bit is only as cruel as the hands using it.

I have used a Dr Bristol and I have to say that Kia ran right through it so it cant be than severe :rolleyes:

I use a loop ring snaffle (fake cheaper wilkie) and it is operfect for Kia. It gives me brakes where the Dr Dristol didnt and I can use it in everything except BD. Even in snaffle only showing classes.

I have aslo tried a waterford and a hanging cheek and again varying degrees of better brakes but nothing like the loop ring.

Have to say this might be because Kia has a large tongue ina small mouth so the loop ring being thin might be helping more.

Nikki xxxx:)
 
newrider.com
Top Bottom