How is this bit different froma regular double jointed snaffle?

Question

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/5-1-2-German-Silver-Baucher-Snaffle_W0QQitemZ250288086776QQihZ015QQcategoryZ16244QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Answer 1

The central link is designed to shift pressure away from the horse's lips and corners, towards the centre of the mouth. It makes for a milder bit action. Also, the extra rings on top are for attaching the bit to the cheekpieces of the bridle. This suspends the bit in the horse's mouth. Unlike other snaffle bits, the cheekpieces will put some pressure on the horse's poll.  

Answer 2

That snaffle gives signals from both the mouth and pressure on the poll.

A regular snaffle works strictly on the mouth and often has a cracker jack effect and will hit the palate of the mouth.

Answer 3

that is a hanging cheek snaffle.  The smaller rings above the actual bit rings are where you attach the cheek peices and the reins go to the usual bit rings.  this offrs a bit of leverage - it applies pressure to the poll of the horse and is therefore slightly stronger than a normal double jointed bit.  they are good though - I used to use one on my clydie for dressage as he was shown in a pelham so i needed some extra help when it came to working in a snaffle!!!

Answer 4

This bit is different due to the mechanics of how it works.

Here's how a regular two-piece  snaffle works:

When the reins are pulled on, they slide as far back & Up as necessary based on amount of pull.  The bit collapses, bringing the rings closer together forming a point from the joint where the two pieces meet in the mouthpiece.  As the bit is further engaged and collapses together further, the point is driven into the horse's tongue thereby gagging him until he responds properly to what you are requesting.  

Such a bit has a rather narrow range of movement, limiting the different communications possible from use of it.  Often, a horse who's had one improperly used on him will develop bit resistance.  

When a horse is responding accurately to proper use of a snaffle, one moves to a bit that allows more freedom of tongue movement and allows isolation of communication to one side or the other of the mouth.

This is where often a 3 piece bit, like the one you show in the picture, comes in.

It is impossible to engage that bit, create a point and drive it into the horse's tongue.  The bit lays gently across the tongue and bars - when you pull back evenly on both reins, it does somewhat pinch the tongue, but will not gag the horse.  You can, for example, lift the left rein, the piece attached to the left cheek piece lifts and contacts the left side of the mouth and bars.  In a properly trained horse, you could thereby achieve a desired reaction such as lifting a shoulder.

The bit in the picture is not harsh by any means at all - it's a pretty easy bit.

Answer 5

It is milder and stops the nutcracker action that happens to the horses tongue with a normal snaffle. it also gives poll pressure unlike a normal snaffle. even though its milder its still effective because of the leverage on it. most horses prefer it because their tongue is not getting pinched with it

Answer 6

The cheek piece allows for a slight amount of leverage action on the poll, and also keeps the mouthpiece positioned correctly in the mouth.  It's action is virtually identical to the use of a full cheek double jointed snaffle with bit keepers, although lacking the lateral effectiveness and ability to completely prevent the bit from being laterally displaced through the horse's mouth.  Otherwise, it is similar to other double jointed snaffle bits.  This is a mild and effective bit.

Answer 7

The two rings give more levarage, and help control the horse with turning, stopping etc with out it being a harsh bit.