[kitten_Val]

So here is my question... I remember reading somewhere that if I use 5" eggbutt I want to go with either bigger or smaller loose ring (don't remember which one, sorry). Is that true indeed?

My paint grew out of her snaffle, so I have to look for the different bit.

 

[crimsonsky]

i would think a 1/4" larger for a loose ring so that the rings don't pinch. i'm not an expert though... that's just my logic.

 

[tinyliny]

I will be wanting to know the anwer to that, too. I thought it was 1/4 inch larger for loose ring, to avoid pinching. But would someone who knows for sure set us straight?

 

[SionTheMonster]

It's 1/4"-1/2" bigger, to prevent pinching. Also, depending on what you show in, you can use bit guards, too. However those aren't allowed in hunter classes, or dressage classes. My little guy had a 4 3/4" eggbutt, so when he got sick of that (part Arab with a sensitive mouth and low palate - single joint wasn't cuttin' it.), I found him a 5" french link loose ring. Works great!

Sorry for the wee ramble, lol.

 

[blue eyed pony]

My horse had bit guards on an eggbutt snaffle when I got him

Bit guards annoy me so I took them off. No real purpose in having them on an eggbutt.

As for sizes, I have heard 1/4" bigger, but don't go too big, because too big of a bit is just as bad as too small.

 

[aspin231]

I've always been taught 1/4" larger to prevent pinching with the loose ring, just as everyone else seems to have been told as well.

 

[kitten_Val]

Thank you, All!

I will be wanting to know the anwer to that, too. I thought it was 1/4 inch larger for loose ring, to avoid pinching. But would someone who knows for sure set us straight?

Yes, I know you add 1/4" to the measurements. But as I said some people state you want slightly different for eggbutt, because it doesn't move. I have 5" loose rings, measured her mouth yesterday and it's closer to 5" (she's been growing forever). I gonna try my qh's bit today (5 1/4" eggbutt) to see if that'll look better.

 

[verona1016]

I found this blog entry very helpful when I was learning about fitting snaffles: Fitting a Loose Ring Snaffle | EQUINE Ink

Clif notes version: (1) Measure your horses mouth with either a bit fitting tool or just a piece of string. (2) Add 1/4" to that measurement for an eggbutt snaffle (3) Add another 1/4" for loose ring.

 

[kitten_Val]

I found this blog entry very helpful when I was learning about fitting snaffles: Fitting a Loose Ring Snaffle | EQUINE Ink

Clif notes version: (1) Measure your horses mouth with either a bit fitting tool or just a piece of string. (2) Add 1/4" to that measurement for an eggbutt snaffle (3) Add another 1/4" for loose ring.

Interesting! Thanks for posting it, verona!

 

[crimsonsky]

I found this blog entry very helpful when I was learning about fitting snaffles: Fitting a Loose Ring Snaffle | EQUINE Ink

Clif notes version: (1) Measure your horses mouth with either a bit fitting tool or just a piece of string. (2) Add 1/4" to that measurement for an eggbutt snaffle (3) Add another 1/4" for loose ring.

i suppose that's why the 5.75" loose ring eggbutt bit works for my horse so well. hahahah

for reference - idk what to ACTUALLY call the bit. this is what it looks like basically:

 

[livestoride]

Not to highjack but does this rule apply for changing from an eggbutt toa full cheek? I am switching Gem and have to order it online and don't want to get it wrong. She wears a 5" eggbutt currently.

 

[kitten_Val]

livestoride, D-ring = eggbutt = full cheek on this rule (because they are solid on corners). Loose rings one is the only one different just because those rings move.

crimsonsky, I've seen that one in Dover (different brand though). I remember my paint used to lock on bit, the reason I went to loose rings with her. So if the eggbutt attempt fails today I may consider it.

 

[DejaVu]

I've always heard, and bought 1/4 inch bigger for loose rings as well.

 

[kitten_Val]

So I tried 5 1/4 eggbutt today. Definitely too big for her. However 5 loose rings look too small. I think I gonna go to Dover and get 5 eggbutt to see how it fits.

Thanks, everyone, for the help!

 

[livestoride]

KittenVal - thanks for the help! I hate having to return things in the mail and then wait for the new one to arrive.

 

[kitten_Val]

KittenVal - thanks for the help! I hate having to return things in the mail and then wait for the new one to arrive.

Just want to add that for some horses (not all) they have a preference in type of rings used. My qh refused to ride with loose rings: she's annoyed very easily and them moving I assume wasn't something she liked. D-rings was OK with her, and eggbutt is her favorite (I do like eggbutt the most too - it's just so awesomely smooth ). My paint on other hand seems to have fun with those rings moving. I rode her in eggbutt yesterday and she was somewhat "locking" on bit again. Not bad yet, but I'm sure she'll progress. So I think I gonna get a bit similar to what crimsonsky posted.

 

[crimsonsky]

true that kitten val! i know my gelding prefers a loose ring whereas a few other horses i've had needed something with less "static" in the lines - so eggbutt or d-ring.

 

[blue eyed pony]

My horse is like that too, very particular about the cheek pieces. I've had him in a kimblewick (off the slots, so it was basically a dee ring snaffle with a little more stability) and he HATED it. Tried loose ring, full cheek, all sorts of different mouthpieces from rubber through mullen to single jointed, double jointed with a lozenge, and he is now in an eggbutt french link. And he LOVES it. Better even than the eggbutt with a lozenge that came with him.

And yet, I had a horse that couldn't stand eggbutt... what worked best for HIM was loose ring double jointed with a lozenge, and we tried ALL the bits we tried with Monty on that particular horse, minus the french link because it was sold to me as being "the next step" from the lozenge.

We had a pony that we had in a single jointed loose ring snaffle and that worked pretty well, but after I had the success with my old Standie in a double jointed snaffle, I bought one for the pony and tried him in it... he went SO much better, responded to the bit more promptly.

I find that the double jointed mouthpiece works well for more different horses than the other kinds of mouthpiece, but as for cheekpieces, it's actually amazing. I know someone who has brilliant hands and trains her horses very well, but her arab, she can't jump in anything other than a happy mouth mullen pelham. On the flat he's in a very soft bit, can't remember what. Monty is somewhat similar, very responsive and light on the flat but gets strong while jumping - in both cases it's sheer excitement. Although in my case I'm sticking with the snaffle, simply because Monty can't cope with anything stronger than a snaffle.

 

[kitten_Val]

Funny enough I was told by several trainers that horse liking/not liking different rings is total BS. NOT true. I tried eggbutt, D-rings, and loose rings all with same mouthpiece, and I could tell right the moment I get on horse it rides differently depending on rings.

 

[blue eyed pony]

As I said, Monty is VERY particular. He'll put up with loose rings, but he hates dee rings, anything with poll pressure, anything with curb pressure... he doesn't like full cheeks, but I think that's more of an "I KNOW what I'm doing, mum!" protest than anything else. He doesn't need the extra help to turn and he doesn't like being treated like he does.

And I'd rather him be HAPPY in a bit than just putting up with it. I'd rather he be actively seeking it, chewing a little, and salivating just enough to have foam on his lips. His mouth is dry in the eggbutt with a lozenge, but he seems to really like the french link. He's so much softer and more responsive to it, and it always has bubbles on it when I take it out of his mouth.

A trainer who thinks it's BS for a horse to prefer certain cheek pieces to others really needs to re-assess their methods... Different cheek pieces work for different horses, and different cheek pieces all have different actions on the mouth.