Bit Help...

[jilllovesgus]

Okay, I have a question about bits. As many know, my new horse, Toby, is scheduled to arrive Thursday. I'm preparing for his arrival, and so I was researching about the current bit that is used with him. I discovered it is a half cheek french link, but I noticed all the photos were different than how it looks with Toby.

Now, I have only had experience really with dee rings and full cheeks, so I need some help here. How does the french link get attached? This is how it has been on Toby for the two times I've ridden him.

http://i9.tinypic.com/6blknm9.jpg

Is that incorrect? Is it upsidedown? Because...

http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/user_resources/Image/prod_thumbs/P3140426-01.jpg http://www.horseandrider.co.uk/shop/images/thumbs/t_fb.jpg

All the results show them like that.
So I have reason to believe it's upside on Toby, haha.
But chances are I'll just ride him in a dee ring anyway.

Just need some confirmation, hehe.

If it is supposed to be the other way (not upsidedown, lol) I'll make sure it is. Although his bit might not even come with him, so I'll be stuck using a dee ring anyway. So in that case, no worries. But it'd just help to know the correct way. Thanks!

[jayeloveschloe]

Eep! Eep! I think you discovered the answer already.
<33

[silverleprichuan]

they are using it wrong and you are confusing two bits, the baucher and half-spoon/half-cheek.

The baucher is suposed to have the small hole attach to the cheek peice while the reins go through the larger hole. This bit is helpful for horses that like to put their tongue over the bit but besides that acts much like an eggbutt snaffle. There is a common misconception that this bit uses "poll" pressure but thats just a myth.

The half-spoon/half-cheek works much a full-cheek but instead the cheek peice only extends below the mouth instead of both above and below the mouth. With this bit there is no "small hole" and instead the cheek peice and reins go through the main hole as they would with a standard snaffle.


You horse is currently being ridden in an upside down baucher. By using the bit in this manner they can create a curb action out of a snaffle bit. Using a bit this way allows a seller to market a horse as a "snaffle" mouth because technically he has a snaffle in his mouth even though it is being used to create a curb action.

This horse seems very well-trained and I am sure he will have no problem transitioning to a d-ring or full-cheek snaffle.

[silverleprichuan]

baucher: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Eventer_head.JPG


half-spoon/half-cheek : http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Half-cheek.jpg

[jilllovesgus]

Ahh! Makes sense! Thank you so much. (: If I ever need any more bit help, I will definitely come to you. -nod- Yes, they do ride him in a dee ring as well I believe, they were just having me ride in that to try him out. Thanks again!

Oh, and the reason I was confused was because when I asked the owner what the bit was, she said a French link. So, bahhh. Very confusing. (But then again his other owner rides mainly western.)

[DixieGirl]

I haven't seen that kind of bit.But I ride western so that would be why! :)

[jilllovesgus]

Haha, thank you DixieGirl (;

Yes, so, thank you alllll. It's all very confusing, haha, but I'm sure we'll figure everything out with my trainers help and such. Thanks again!

[jilllovesgus]

Yaay well it turns out I didn't need to worry about any of this haha. I rode him yesterday in a Dr. Bristol dee ring and he was absolutely fine and went on the bit beautifully. (: Haha he's such a good boy. I think I'm going to buy him a happy mouth today and see how he likes that...