I took a couple of close up photos of the new French Link bit. These are interesting chiefly because, on most such bits, the link is rotated ninety degrees to this so that the edges face the tongue and the bats of the mouth.
What I like about the French Link bit is that, when a contact is applied, there isn't the sharp angle of the central joint of a snaffle to poke my horse in the roof of her mouth.
It's not that I handle the reins roughly. But I do worry about accidental jerks if she stumbles.
The central link is well rounded too. This is a contrast to some cheaper bits where the link is a plate with straight square edges.
These things may seem like small details. However Brena has this object in her mouth under my control. I want to communicate with her in ways that does not put her offf listening.
I remember how with Doru progressed from a Tom Thumb curb via a regular snaffle to a French Link. His behaviour improved throughout and he softened when he realised that nothing was going to stick into the bars of his mouth.
When I first had Ben I rode him in a regular jointed snaffle, which I was told he was always ridden in. I was never sure about it as he used to close his mouth against it and, when it was in, his tongue would protrude slightly to one side. I thought that it probably hit against the roof of his mouth. I now ride him in a Myler comfort snaffle, which is curved and has a separate centre piece. He is a lot happier. He opens his mouth for the bit now and his tongue does not protrude to one side.
It certainly is well worth giving consideration to the type of bit.
Posted by: Máire | January 06, 2011 at 10:08 PM