Hanging cheek snaffles

[vels mum]

Been browsing ebay for a new bit for Vel as he is growing at an alarming rate and everything that fitted him end of summer is way too small now including his bit.
I think im gonna stick with my french link loose ring snaffles for now and when I back him, but noticed them with a hanging cheek so there is an exra attachment for the cheek piece to attach to.
Was just wondering what everyones opinion was on them, if you use one, why and how it works differently.
I googled them and aparently it gives more poll pressure, why would you want extra pressure on the poll? Does this give extra brakes or help work your horse in an outline?

[amandaxx1]

I use one with Bertie on the instruction of my riding instructer and, schooling wise, he goes a lot better in it. He doesnt need extra breaks etc cos he's a ploddy type but with Bertie it helps him get in to a correct outline. I have a french link one.

As far as Im aware, it isnt a particularly harsh bit and it works really well for my horse.

[Firefly]

Not long after Firefly was backed, I rode her in a hanging cheek snaffle and it worked really well at the time. She did work in outline and at the time I did have breaks, however as she got older and found her feet, I did have to change her bit.

[Catg]

I have one, haven't noticed any difference in Zeb's outline though?

I've read in many places they they give poll pressure but this is not everyone's view. They are dressage legal for a start so even if they do give slight pool pressure it's not going to be enough to make a massive difference otherwise we wouldn't be allowed to use them.

So in answer to your question, yes, the supposed poll pressure would give better brakes and encourage the horse to lower it's head.

My understanding of them is that they are designed to suspend the bit in the horse's mouth to stop them getting their tongue over the bit.

Hope that helps?

Cat x

[helena]

I have one for Chancer. It makes absolutely no difference to him either in outline or brakes at all so have taken it out again. I got it as it's fairly mild and he is soft mouthed but carries his head very high. I hoped that a bit of poll pressure would encourage him to lower his head but it didn't. I've since found he goes best when I ride bareback in a halter!!

[gem]

I ride Saffy in one and she goes nicely in it. It does tend to encourage her to go into more of an outline (compared to her full cheek) and it's a nice soft bit for her. She's not strong by any means so I definitely don't use it for brakes.

[Twizzel]

We use one for the bog pony and he goes really well in it. He wasn't keen on a dutch gag 2nd ring as way too much poll pressure but the hanging cheek he goes lovely in, just the right amount of poll pressure. I would say it gives more brakes than a snaffle... but not as harsh as a gag or similar bit that uses a lot of poll pressure :) Can't say whether it helps his outline as we've only ridden him in the hanging cheek and a gag, and he carries himself very well and is very light in the mouth anyway.

[vels mum]

Thaks for the response guys, Vel is very strong when led in bridle or halter ( I still have to use a stally chain sometimes) so will keep this type of bit in mid if I need to progress from a french link snaffle.

[mermer]

I ride Merlin in a French link Hanging cheek. The vet and a few others recommended it. He used to nap alot and this bit is recommended for nappers. He had a french link snaffle before and he was instantly better in this one.

[Sasca]

I like them as bits but as a step up from a snaffle on a strong horse.

If your having trouble with Vel, i suggest just changing the mouthpiece to start. Im not to keen on jointed bits as a rule but i do like a jointed but the curved mouthpiece. Less nutcracker action with a thinner metal, changed the way the pressure is applied, not necessarily making it stronger. I find horse accept this type a lot easier then a more conventional straighter piece….

What size is he? i may have a spare you can try if you'd like?

[My Crazy Clan]

Its just like a egg butt snaffle but will a bit more poll pressure.

[mermer]

Merlin's is slightly curved. It's also slightly thinner than the french link snaffle he had. The dentist said although it measured the same width wise it was a much better fit cos there wasn't so much thickness in his mouth.

[vels mum]

I like them as bits but as a step up from a snaffle on a strong horse.

If your having trouble with Vel, i suggest just changing the mouthpiece to start. Im not to keen on jointed bits as a rule but i do like a jointed but the curved mouthpiece. Less nutcracker action with a thinner metal, changed the way the pressure is applied, not necessarily making it stronger. I find horse accept this type a lot easier then a more conventional straighter piece….

What size is he? i may have a spare you can try if you'd like?

Sasca, he is in a 6 inch bit atm, ive only had him on in hand walks so far, but he is strong!!!
I just wonder if a french link (current bit I have for him) will be enough for his backing this summer. Peerlielee suggested a myler bit but they are quite expensive, im open to suggestions!!
Ive had him in a rubber straight bar up to buying his french link the reason I changed was because he was starting to really reject getting his bridle on, could have been down to teething though.

[vels mum]

Its just like a egg butt snaffle but will a bit more poll pressure.

Ive always worked with eggbutt snaffles or fulmar snaffles in the past so I do like these bits but the nutcracker action I feel could be too much for a backing bit, although I suppose ill just have to wait and see!My RI would like me to back him in an eggbutt, her motto is keep it simple but I just dont want anything too severe to begin with.
Turk has a 6 inch fulmar which I could try later down the line if im having bit issues! ;)

[Catg]

You could always get the hanging cheek with the French link joint? That's what I have x

[blackthunder]

I changed my cob into a hanging cheek as he had previously been in a dutch gag (2nd hole) which was now too severe for him (as a 4/5 year he use to lock his neck and charge off a lot!), however found that he leaned on this so have now swapped it to his original bit of a full cheek snaffle (french link) and he goes perfectly in this. Much lighter and seems to enjoy working more, although I do keep the gag for hacking-but on the snaffle ring. :D

I also find that he over bends in a gag so perhaps too much poll pressure.

[lilholley]

I tried Bella in Blossie's hanging cheek as an experiment but found her quite resistant to it. Different horses suit different bits though.