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Egg butt snaffle

12K views 82 replies 19 participants last post by  jaydee 
#1 ·
Explain this bit to me, what it does for the horse and some uses for it (western, trails, English ect.) I have one in my barn and have never touched it.
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#3 ·
I like egg buts because the head stall holds the bit at the correct angle in their mouth, more so than loose rings, but not so much as a full cheek with keepers. D's and Eggbutts and Full cheeks also provide a good deal of lateral movement, so when you pull one rein it applies pressure on the outside of the mouth on the opposite side. So pushing the mouth over as well as applying pressure to the tongue/bar.
Personally I prefer french link over single linked bits, simply because it reduces the nut-cracker action. But some horses don't like all the mess of the two links and do better in a single joint. Tends to be horses with a low pallet wont like single jointed. You could also try unjointed, mullened out mouthpiece, I like them.
:)
 
#4 ·
My horse is ridden in an eggbutt French-link (double-jointed) snaffle. As Punks said above, the eggbutt rings help keep the bit at the correct angle, and I find the rounded rings are more comfortable for the horse's cheeks than a dee-ring (although I know some horses that prefer a dee). The double-jointed action of the french-link keeps the pressure off the tongue and roof and prevents a squeezing nutcracker action that can happen with a single-jointed bit.

I ride English (mostly dressage and trails).

But I'm curious, if you don't know the workings of an eggbutt snaffle how can you be vehemently against bits in your other thread?
 
#5 ·
I prefer the D-ring for my mare. We've tried 2 piece snaffles and 3 piece snaffles, and she seems more relaxed with a two piece. Given my style of riding, I don't think nutcracker action is something to worry about.

...But I'm curious, if you don't know the workings of an eggbutt snaffle how can you be vehemently against bits in your other thread?
Me too!
 
#16 ·
Def. not a newbie. To horses anyway. And I don't know it all. I've never said that. I was asking a question, which just goes to show that I dot know it all. Obviously. Answer the question or don't reply. Easy.
 
#21 ·
20. How am I starting trouble by asking what a egg butt snaffle is commonly used for since I've never used one? Maybe I want to start using one? Not sure how I'm starting trouble.
 
#28 ·
It's used for a lot of western practices. But, I never even touch it. I use maybe 1/2 pound of pressure at the most. 99% of the time, it lays flat.
 
#31 ·
It's the bit the horse works best with really. Snaffles slide through her moth and she throws her head around a lot. Not sure why she doesn't do it with a Tom Thumb, but we are thinking she was just started in that. I've tried a few milder, and she just acted differently (worse) and didn't perform as well because she was too busy messing with the bit. I've never tried those pictured. So I may look into those.

Not sure if Bosals are legal. I have used one in local competition not sure about higher.
 
#32 ·
a snaffle that is fitted correctly should not slide through her mouth.

Try a solid curb bit if you want a leverage bit. Not a jointed like a Tom Thumb... they can be pretty harsh. Something with a low port maybe.
 
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#33 ·
a snaffle that is fitted correctly should not slide through her mouth.

Try a solid curb but if you want a leverage bit. Not a jointed. Something with a low port maybe.
Usually it's because she chews on it so bad and pulls it threw there and throws her head around. She hates it.
 
#37 ·
It's not a training issue because she doesn't do it to a Tom Thumb or an unbroken bit.

I use it maybe twice a year so idk why it's an issue.

I use snaffles with all my other horses and they do fine.
 
#38 ·
Honestly, if I have one chewing the bit, I don't assume it's b/c they hate the bit I'm using, though. I check to make sure it's fitted correctly and the bridle is fitted correctly... Fitting correctly usually stops chewing.
 
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#40 ·
We've had it fitted. She doesn't just chew, she performs worse and is really just worried about it and not her job.
 
#41 ·
Let's not forget that we also need to take the horse's preference into consideration.

My TB absolutely HATED the rubber covered D-ring snaffle I originally had him in, and goes very happily in this. I'm quite well aware it looks like a torture device, but he's happy as a clam in it. Go figure!
 

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#43 ·
I agree that you should tailor the bit choice to the horse's preference... However, there are mouth pieces in virtually any shape/size imaginable with a snaffle, just as there is with a curb. I do believe that every horse should have the foundations laid in a snaffle before ever needing to step up from there.
 
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#42 ·
what type of snaffle are you using specifically that causes this issue? I'm curious about this... this is interesting and I'm concerned that this is a training issue also as mentioned by the other poster if a harsher bit is required.. A Tom Thumb is not a nice bit.
 
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#46 ·
If an eggbutt snaffle slips, you can try a D-ring snaffle or full cheek snaffle. An eggbutt 3 piece snaffle will slip more than I like in my mare's mouth, which is why I use a D-ring 2 piece. My gelding uses a full cheek 2-piece snaffle. Given their typical headset, I'm not worried about any 'nutcracker' action:

 
#47 ·
Yes I know, but it's still more bit than I've ever used. I was rather shocked that JJ took to it like he'd designed it for himself! :wink:

I'm a big fan of the mildest bit necessary that still gets the job done. I've always used eggbutts, D-rings, and even loose ring snaffles. This is my first fullcheek with a port in over 30 years. :-p

I do want to add, if the bit is sliding around in the horse's mouth it's also a fit issue. I'm thinking it's probably too big.
 
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