Double-jointed bits

I've seen so many posts lately where someone says something like "I use a French link instead of a single-jointed snaffle because it has less nutcracker action."

But if double-jointed bits put less pressure on the bars of the mouth, where does that extra pressure end up? The answer is on the tongue via the middle plate. If you push down hard in the middle of your tongue it hurts way more than pushing on a gum. So I'm just wondering where people are getting the idea that double-jointed snaffles are less severe than single-jointed ones. Did some famous trainer say it or something?

Its because some horses have low pallates and when a single jointed bit is used it can even cut the roof of the mouth, I had this problem with my horse as he has a very small mouth.

Single jointed bit, when the pressure is applied the part were it joins hits the roof of the mouth

Double jointed bits sit nicly around the tounge and evenly ditribute pressure without hurting the roof of the mouth

Is it an less severe? I'd think so...

I use an eggbut snaffle, I can't help much ^^'.
But cool picture charliBum

I'm using a french link right now on a horse new to bits. The double jointed bit applies more pressure to the tongue, which is better for starting out. After the horse gets used to it and becomes more "broke" meaning learns to go off the leg, seat etc. you move up to a bit that applies more bar pressure. That would be either a solid mouthpiece with tongue relief or a single break snaffle.
A young inexpeireinced horse is really going to have a fit with bar pressure as its first introduction to a bit. The tongue pressure is much easier for them to accept. Does that make sense?

This is all in exception to the horse like pictured above. That comes down to the conformation of the horses mouth.

Yes, double-jointed bits are better for horses with low palettes, but that's NOT the reason anyone here has given for using them. They say it's because the bits are less severe. I beg to differ since the tongue is one of the most sensitive parts of the body.

It seems to me that beliefs about bits change like fashion. Nobody actually knows the truth because nobody is approaching the matter scientifically.

How do you think the middle joint pushes down on the tongue? It would have to fold in half inverted to put downward pressure on the tongue. It sits across the tongue, and puts generalised pressure across the tongue, but absolutely nothing like poking down on your tongue with a finger. Have you ever put a bit in your mouth? I have, and I would definitely prefer the double jointed bit over a single jointed bit.

Double jointed bits still put pressure on the bars of the mouth, all bits do. It just ALSO generalises pressure over the tongue instead of hitting the roof of the mouth.

I prefer a solid mouthpiece. My ultimate goal is to get a horse in a solid mouth curb bit. All bits are going to cause discomfort/pain to the horse. I guess it comes down to degrees of discomfort. Also a bit that is made up of 2 pieces and jointed in the middle, when pressure is applied its going to break in the middle so more contact with the bars is made.
If the bit is 3 pieces and pressure is applied, its going to break around the tongue and less pressure is going to be placed on the bars. Is just the laws of physical mechanics.
I have friends who believe a horse should be started in what its going to be ridden in. They start everyone in curb. I like working my way up to it, but that's where I'm going to finish. I don't particularly like snaffle bits. I want to get them out of it asap.

I don't think that's right, Maureen. There is always the same contact with the bars.

All bits contact the bars pretty much the same way. That, of course assumes that the double joined, or single joined have the same diameter, material, leverage, etc as each other. So identical bits with the only difference being single or double joined should affect the bars in the same way - it is how they affect the tongue and pallet that makes the difference.

Why the double joined bit is less sever then the single is that the pallet is much more sensitive then the tongue and that is what the singe is make to affect while the double affects the tongue.

Really Bill? It seems mechanically anyway that something that is broken in 3 pieces isn't going to apply as much pressure on the ends (bars) as something that is broken in the middle. You mean to tell me I'm wrong?