Yes, I use a French link snaffle on an endurance horse and on a driving pony. They both seem real comfortable with it. However, I have "snaffle hands" - it's the only bit I ever use (with a few variations to accomodate different horses).
Nikki, I have a very nice horse who is very soured on snaffle bits because of a thoughtless previous owner who started him in a very ill fitted TT. when I got Zab, he'd back up 300 feet to keep from getting a bit in his mouth.
I tried dozens of very nice mild snaffles on him and everything would make him upset and nervous. He had worry wrinkles on his forehead and a clenched jaw. finally, I figured out that he hates jointed bits. they are too busy in his mouth. I put a low ported kimberwicke on him and he dropped his head, and relaxed. After 3 years, i tried a snaffle again and got the same reaction I did when he first came here.
I've said it before, I wish I could collect all the Tt bits out there and melt them down and make them into something useful.
chris
Nikki McCormack <neyska@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I have a younger horse that was being ridden by the previous owner with a Tom Thumb snaffle. I don't think the owner had the necessary skill to use this bit correctly and as a result, he does not like to be bitted. I am trying to work with him with a lighter bit, but the only thing I have is a D-ring snaffle. He is a getting easier to bit since this change, but his brakes don't work very well.
If anyone has suggestions on transitioning a horse successfully to a lighter bit or perhaps a different type of bit that might work better, please contact me privately: neyska at hotmail dot com.
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