In our new series looking at different types of bits bitting advisor Matt Waterworth from Bits n Bridles tells you all about the loose ring snaffle with lozenge. Read on to find out what sort of horses it suits the best.
What is it?
The snaffle is one of the most commonly used types of equine bit. This version has loose (unfixed) rings and a double joint lozenge in the mouthpiece.
How it works
This bit acts mainly on the bars of the mouth and the lips. Dependent on the mouth conformation the lozenge reduces the nutcracker action and takes unwanted pressures off the edges of the tongue as well as reducing the pressure on the palate.
What’s it good for?
As we have learnt in the previous article loose ring bits help the horse to position the bit where they like it unlike fixed bits such as the eggbutt or hanging cheek snaffle. The lozenge centre helps the bit follow the mouth conformation better in chunkier breeds relieving unwanted tongue pressure. Horses that are heavy on the hand will respond better to the extra looseness in the mouth which will hopefully encourage them come off the forehand and work more from behind.
What type of horses does it suit?
The loose ring with lozenge comes in many different varieties and brands and each suit different breed characteristics differently. But on a whole the bit will suit chunkier breeds such as cobs warmbloods shires etc which usually have the trait of being heavy on the hand at times. Breeds like the Arab and Thoroughbreds may become unsettled in the mouth in this bit as its looseness can irritate the palate.
Have you got a bitting question for Matt? Contact him via his website or follow him on twitter at @thebitexpert