[HorseObsession]

The first time we rode my sisters new horse, my dad used MY bit, which is a double broken D-ring. I love that bit, but he said that it really diddnt give him enough "stop". I told him that I would be glad to work with him on his breaks, because I diddnt want to put him in a more harsh bit.

But then we had a problem, because we had two horses and one bit. And since my horse freaks out every time we put a new bit in his mouth, my sisters horse got the new bit.

We just grabbed one, and it happened to be a Dr. Bristol that my freind gave to me when she was getting rid of a bunch of bits. I tend to collect them, so she knew I would do something with it.

Anyway, my sister has really light hands, and is a great rider, so I felt pretty good about putting this supposedly "harsher" snaffle in his mouth.

I was surprised that he did GREAT in it. He was nice and light, maintained good contact, stoped when I told him to with minimal reign contact.

So I was just wondering if anybody used one, if you do what do you think? I really dont understand how this bit is considered harsh, as Ive never been in the position to use it. Basically what does it do that is different than my french link?

So if anybody actually read all of this, I would appreciate answers

[faroutfax]

The link on the french link one sits on the tongue, flat again't the palate. The Bristol lays on an angle

[cleveland13]

Originally Posted by faroutfax

The link on the french link one sits on the tongue, flat again't the palate. The Bristol lays on an angle

Yes. Basically, the Dr. Bristol has a little more bite than the french link. It's similar to how a twisted snaffle is harsher than a smooth mouth, just the extra pressure is applied in a different place.

[HorseObsession]

OK, thanks.

[Thourbreds Rule]

Well the bit is is nace as the riders hands. But the Dr. Bristal is a harsh bit. It hase strate shankes witch is not good for some one with bad hands. The strate shankes do not give any relef. So if you pull on that bit is is 10 times stronger than a off set d ring. The strate shankes are 10 times harder on the horses mouth than the off set d ring

[harli36]

Originally Posted by Thourbreds Rule

Well the bit is is nace as the riders hands. But the Dr. Bristal is a harsh bit. It hase strate shankes witch is not good for some one with bad hands. The strate shankes do not give any relef. So if you pull on that bit is is 10 times stronger than a off set d ring. The strate shankes are 10 times harder on the horses mouth than the off set d ring

The term dr. bristol has nothing to do with the cheek pieces of a bit. Dr. Bristol is a type of mouthpiece, it is a double jointed mouthpiece in which the middle joint angles into the tongue.

To the OP I personally don't feel that dr. bristols are very harsh. They conform to the shape of the mouth better then a single jointed snaffle and don't have nearly as much bite as any kind of twisted snaffle. It just has a little bit more bite to it then a regular french link, which is pretty much as mild as you can go. So good for you that it works and I wouldn't let anyone put you down for using it. Your horse is telling you that he likes this bit that's all that should matter.

[Thourbreds Rule]

Originally Posted by harli36

The term dr. bristol has nothing to do with the cheek pieces of a bit. Dr. Bristol is a type of mouthpiece, it is a double jointed mouthpiece in which the middle joint angles into the tongue.

To the OP I personally don't feel that dr. bristols are very harsh. They conform to the shape of the mouth better then a single jointed snaffle and don't have nearly as much bite as any kind of twisted snaffle. It just has a little bit more bite to it then a regular french link, which is pretty much as mild as you can go. So good for you that it works and I wouldn't let anyone put you down for using it. Your horse is telling you that he likes this bit that's all that should matter.

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Sorry i was thinking a tom thumd I AM SO SORRY!!!!!!!!!!

[harli36]

That's ok, you don't have to apologize. Welcome to the forum btw.

[Shotgun93]

The main difference between the britsol and the french link is that the bristol's center link sits at angle causing a sharper edge to sit on the tongue than the frenchlink.