What does an Eggbutt bit do?

How does it work? “The traditional eggbutt snaffle tends to have a straight-arm, single-jointed mouthpiece and is designed to give stability for the horse to stretch forwards and down,” explains Gail Johnson from Horse Bit Hire.

Why would you use an Eggbutt snaffle?

Eggbutt Snaffle Uses

One of the most commonly used English snaffle bits is the eggbutt snaffle. It is useful in training a young horse, general riding, and the beginning stages of dressage. Some horses are ridden their whole lives in this type of bit.

How does an Eggbutt snaffle work?

The eggbutt snaffle is a FIXED CHEEK snaffle- the cheek is securely fixed to the mouthpiece, which cannot move or rotate on the ring at all. This means that the mouthpiece is very still and steady in the mouth.

What does an egg butt do?

The eggbutt snaffle bit is similar to the loose ring snaffle and prevents the corners of the horse's mouth from being pinched thanks to its curved rings. eggbut bits are available as single or double jointed bits and in a variety of sturdy materials.

What's the difference between an Eggbutt and D ring snaffle?

Different cheeks:

Eggbutt – this type of cheek keeps the bit stable and prevents rotation. It doesn't pinch the lips so is tolerated better by some horses. D-ring – similar to the Eggbutt in that it doesn't slide around, but with straight sides to help with steering.

What is Eggbutt Snaffle Bits with Hooks?

What bit for fussy horse?

A bit with a loose lever action, such as a three-ringed gag type bit will give leverage to assist in controlling but by keeping a nice mild mouthpiece you keep her comfy and can easily reward her when she is listening.

What bit would suit my horse?

Thinner bits should encourage more of a reaction to contact. Thicker bits are often a good option for young or mouth sensitive horses as they can find the pressure of a thin bit to be sharp. If you're after a thick bit, the Shires Brass Alloy Training Bit (pictured right) could be a good option as it's 18mm wide.

Are Eggbutt bits good?

“Eggbutt cheeks are also a great choice for horses with lips that protrude from the face, as you can get a good snug fit without the risk of rubbing.” Grand prix dressage rider Stef Eardley adds: “The eggbutt can be easier to steer with than a loose-ring as the fixed bar action on the sides of the mouth are more ...

Why is it called Eggbutt?

The name comes from the somewhat egg-shaped connection between the mouthpiece and the bit rings. The main benefit of the eggbutt shape is that the chance of the lip being pinched between the mouthpiece and bit ring is lessened.

Is an Eggbutt snaffle dressage legal?

All loose-ring, D-ring, eggbutt, or hanging cheek rings are permitted as cheekpieces unless otherwise specified in the USEF Dressage Rules Handbook.

What does a full cheek snaffle do?

Full Cheek (Fixed Cheek)

The full cheek snaffle needs to sit snugly in the mouth to prevent lateral movement of the mouthpiece and improves the deliverance of the steering and turning aids.

What are the benefits of a loose ring snaffle?

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. This helps the horse be more comfortable in the mouth and since the mouthpiece is moveable on the cheek it also helps with horses that are heavy or take hold of the bit.

What does a Kimberwick bit do?

This is a bit commonly used in general riding and provides more control on a horse that may be a strong puller or needs slight curb action to lower its head. It's a popular choice for young riders on ponies who might not be very responsive to the rein aids.

Why do horses open their mouths when being ridden?

Opening the mouth when ridden is generally a symptom of an underlying problem, such as dental issues, poor riding, or a badly fitting or unsuitable bit that is causing the horse pain or discomfort.

Why does my horse throw his head?

Why do horses toss their heads? Horses toss their heads for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons are dental problems, physical ailments, biting bugs, improper bit or saddle fit, too much energy, or poor handling on part of the rider.

Why does my horse put his tongue over the bit?

Trying to get the tongue over the bit is simply an attempt to get away from the bit pressure – the horse is trying to relieve the pressure in its mouth.

How do I stop my horse from running through the bit?

Hold the left rein about six inches from the bit and ask your horse to go forward in small circles around you as you maintain your position. As he moves briskly forward, ask his hindquarters to move two steps away from you to the right by picking up the rein slowly, taking out the slack, and holding steady.

What is the difference between a loose ring and D ring snaffle?

Loose ring snaffles have a smaller area of pressure when a direct rein pull is made. The mouthpiece in a loose ring snaffle slides all the way around the rings. A fixed ring is just that, the mouthpiece is fixed in 1 place on the ring.

Do loose ring bits pinch?

The ring will also rotate slightly before the bit mouthpiece adds pressure to the mouth, thus allowing it to give more signal than a more fixed bit. Disadvantages: the loose ring may pinch the corners of the lips as it rotates, causing pain to the horse. This is especially a problem if the bit mouthpiece is too small.

What does a lozenge bit do?

The Lozenge uses tongue pressure to encourage the horse to go on the bit and lower the head, it has bar and lip pressure but not a squeezing action like that of a bit with a single joint. The more joints a bit has the less likely the horse is to lean as the bit becomes more mobile.

Is a thinner bit more severe?

The thinner mouthpieces deliver a more intense pressure (your rein aid is delivered over a smaller surface area of the tongue and lips and is therefore slightly stronger, think of a stiletto in contrast to a regular heel); we find this is ideal for cob types which are a little less responsive to the rein aid than you ...

Do you need keepers on a full cheek snaffle?

The full cheek bit has a design to sit in the horse's mouth at a particular angle. To assist the bit in sitting at the correct angle, the full cheek must also have bit keepers. In their role as safety equipment, full cheek snaffle keepers keep the full cheek secure.