Bit Loops or Bit Guards?

Hello,
I have a question about if I should use Bit loops or bit guards, and if there is even a difference between the two (other than looks) Tia's full cheek snaffle is often found being pulled through her mouth (not to an extreme like I have seen before) just enough to make me want to stop it from doing so. Would either of these work? And if so which do you recommend? I see that the Bit Guards are made specifically for a full cheek so should I just play it safe and go with them? Its not like they are expensive lol, I could just buy both.

Rubber Bit Guards Pair - Statelinetack.com

Leather Bit Loops Brown - Statelinetack.com

Thanks in advance,
Horses4Healing

Full cheek bits always always always need to be used with keepers (bit loops). Otherwise they do not function properly. Bit guards are made for loose ring snaffles so they don't pinch or slide through the mouth.

So my answer is bit loops (keepers).
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks a bunch! I'm off to the tack store lol.

Sorry - not quite right.

There's been a thread on here recently about the non-use of Fulmer loops by an Olympic rider. While strictly correct, not having them makes long cheek or Fulmer snaffles sit with their pointy bits at right angles to the horse's mouth, useful if you need a reiforced rein aid to help with steering. One of our horses has his fitted this way.

Bit guards will work with most snaffles/pelhams/kimblewicks to either(i) stop the ring/mouthpiece joint pinching the corner of the horse's lip, or the bit ring/cheek rubbing, or (ii) narrowing a slightly over-wide bit mouthpiece to help stop the whole thing sliding through the horse's mouth.

Sounds like your bit mouthpiece maybe slightly too long?