English Bits

These are what I've learnt to start horses with.
Tho I personally prefer a riding cavesson or an unjointed snaffle :P
The important thing is that it doesn't have shanks and that the horse likes it. With trhe single jointed one, make sure not to strap the noseband tight at all, it can hit the horses palate and then it's rather cruel to keep the horse from opening the mouth to get away from it.
I don't think you can show in unleaded snaffles.. not sure.

True French link, most mild because it puts only light pressure on the tongue: Metalab Soft Touch French Link Eggbutt Horse Bit - Dover Saddlery...

Bean Mouth, slightly stronger because of the pressure the bean puts on the tongue: Schneider Saddlery

Dr Bristol. This is most harsh because it has an angled middle piece, where the pressure is concentrated on the edge of the middle piece: http://www.horsetackinternational.co...38-eggbutt.jpg
JP Korsteel Dr Bristol Hunter Dee Horse Bit - Dover Saddlery.


I like this bit a LOT for horses who don't respond well to a snaffle. It has the three piece, has a copper roller to soften the mouth and give extra pressure on the tongue, and has the full cheek to aid in steering.
Schneider Saddlery

I thought that this http://ridebutikken.no/catalog/image...%20tredelt.jpg is milder than than French link. Because that "three-jointed" who calls it in Norway with round moutpeace can go in a 45 grades and don't go up in the "upper moth" just the tongue.

French link is a little bit stronger because it has sharper cants on the bit..

Sorry my English..

Off topic - nice to see more nordic people here :P

The french link has sharper corners/edges? Never thought of that.. (tho I don't use snaffles, maybe that's why x)

When collapsed/pulled back, the edges of the french link do not dig into the tongue, only the flat side makes contact with the horse's tongue.