[InsaneDino]

I've heard mostly bad stuff about single jointed full cheek snaffles. Everybody says that they have a nutcracker action that hurts the horse. It's not clear with light cues. Horses like to brace against it. It's not good for lateral flexion. Blah blah blah.

People say that the full cheek shouldn't be used because it can get caught on things. They are only for starting young or fresh horses. You shouldn't jump in one (I never understood why they say that...) etc.

My mare seems to go well in her's. It's the first and only bit she's ever had in her mouth, so I can't compare it to anything as far as if she behaves better or worse with it. She seems to be pretty soft in her mouth cues. She bends nicely with it. She tucks her head and does a slower, beginner reining spin nicely. I've never noticed a time when she braces against the bit. She doesn't toss her head from it. The few times I have jumped her in it, she seems fine. Granted, I always give waaay too much rein, so she probably didn't feel any contact.

Is there anything I should know? Do some horses prefer single jointed to double jointed snaffles? Full cheeks to d-rings?
I am training her in eventing. Is there a preferred type of bit for the three phases?

 

[Muppetgirl]

Geez.....don't know where I've been, but I've only heard positive things......perhaps I've missed something......subbing

 

[nikelodeon79]

I've heard most of that said about tom thumbs, not full cheeks.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[InsaneDino]

Geez.....don't know where I've been, but I've only heard positive things......perhaps I've missed something......subbing

That's what I was told from another boarder at my barn. She's the one that suggested it to me! It's nice since greenies can't pull the bit through their mouths.
However, I only rode in and saw snaffles at every english barn I've been to. I don't get it either! :/

 

[InsaneDino]

I've heard most of that said about tom thumbs, not full cheeks.
Posted via Mobile Device

All I've heard about tom thumbs is don't get one unless you want the horse police after you. Hah!

I'll have to find some old threads about the full cheeks and single jointed snaffles.

 

[Muppetgirl]

That's what I was told from another boarder at my barn. She's the one that suggested it to me! It's nice since greenies can't pull the bit through their mouths.
However, I only rode in and saw snaffles at every english barn I've been to. I don't get it either! :/

What bit does the boarder at the barn use by chance??

 

[LisaG]

I'm not a real bit expert, but if your horse seems to be doing fine in it, then I think it's okay. You could always experiment with other bits, if you wanted.

I use a full cheek snaffle a lot, though lately I've been liking the D-ring snaffle, too. D-ring pinches their lips a little more, according to the woman who sold it to me.

If the same person tells you a bit is only good for starting a horse, but also hard on the horse's mouth, I wouldn't trust that person's opinion.

 

[Tianimalz]

Oh crap!! I'm in trouble then!

QUICK INDIE! get that out of your mouth!

 

[InsaneDino]

What bit does the boarder at the barn use by chance??

She uses a curb bit of some sort- she rides western.
I'm guessing it has a single joint... but I won't swear by it.

 

[InsaneDino]

I'm not a real bit expert, but if your horse seems to be doing fine in it, then I think it's okay. You could always experiment with other bits, if you wanted.

I use a full cheek snaffle a lot, though lately I've been liking the D-ring snaffle, too. D-ring pinches their lips a little more, according to the woman who sold it to me.

If the same person tells you a bit is only good for starting a horse, but also hard on the horse's mouth, I wouldn't trust that person's opinion.

Is there a reason why you prefer the d-ring?

It wasn't the same person who told me to start her in it as where I've heard the bad stuff from. The bad stuff all came from the internet. Dang internet for worrying me so much.

 

[Muppetgirl]

Oh crap!! I'm in trouble then!

QUICK INDIE! get that out of your mouth!

Haha why worry about that bit when the other horse has an octopus on his head!!! LOL! I love that picture!!

 

[InsaneDino]

Single Link vs. French Link

I found one link so far. It talks about the single joint snaffles causing the nutcracker effect.

 

[verona1016]

IME some horses prefer a single jointed bit, and some horses prefer a double jointed. Some horses don't care. I certainly wouldn't think badly of anyone using a single jointed snaffle, full cheeks or otherwise.

 

[InsaneDino]

IME some horses prefer a single jointed bit, and some horses prefer a double jointed. Some horses don't care. I certainly wouldn't think badly of anyone using a single jointed snaffle, full cheeks or otherwise.

Does there seem to be a certain breed that prefers single jointed to double jointed?

I think I read somewhere that horses with shallower palets don't care for single-jointed snaffles... but no way am I opening my horse's mouth just to see her palet. xD

I think she's a quarab, or at least has a similar build to one.

 

[Phly]

ok quick question, I'm on the black horse, for this conversation, he's grey. But does he seem to be flexing? Looks so to me but I'd like yalls opinion. Crappy pic I know!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[InsaneDino]

ok quick question, I'm on the black horse, for this conversation, he's grey. But does he seem to be flexing? Looks so to me but I'd like yalls opinion. Crappy pic I know!
Posted via Mobile Device

He seems to be flexing, but that depends whether you're cranking his head in or he's holding it there himself. It's hard to determine that based on the picture angle. I'd assume he is, though.

What does that have to do with the thread, even? Haha

 

[Phly]

He seems to be flexing, but that depends whether you're cranking his head in or he's holding it there himself. It's hard to determine that based on the picture angle. I'd assume he is, though.

What does that have to do with the thread, even? Haha

he's in an o-ring snaffle. And isn't a seasoned horse. So I guess it's relevant to the fact that flex isn't all bit.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[InsaneDino]

he's in an o-ring snaffle. And isn't a seasoned horse. So I guess it's relevant to the fact that flex isn't all bit.
Posted via Mobile Device

Ahh... I see.
Is your o-ring snaffle a single joint? If so, do you have any complaints about it?

 

[verona1016]

Does there seem to be a certain breed that prefers single jointed to double jointed?

I think I read somewhere that horses with shallower palets don't care for single-jointed snaffles... but no way am I opening my horse's mouth just to see her palet. xD

I think she's a quarab, or at least has a similar build to one.

Not that I know of. It's mostly just a case of trial and error

 

[InsaneDino]

I just found some helpful information (I would post the link, but we're not supposed to link other sites) about single jointed snaffles.

Has anybody seen the curved ones? An example would be the JP Korsteel Full Cheek Snaffle with a single joint (this is the kind I use). The curve in these bits are supposed to eliminate the nutcracker effect. However, horses with low palets should still stay clear of single jointed bits.

Does anybody have anything to add about how the curve in the bit effects how the bit moves in the mouth?
I can't find any other information about it to clarify the details.