DR Bristol Bits..

turn-n-burn5477 · 04-09-2007, 07:33 PM

Just curious, what makes them harsh? I remember reading somewhere on the forum that someone thought they were the harshest of the snaffles, or something like that. I forget, lol. So, I was just wondering what is was about them that makes them more severe than the others?
Thanks!

Huntseat · 04-09-2007, 07:36 PM

Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but as far as I know Dr. Bristols are VERY mild, soft, "nice" bits. I run barrels on my mare in one.

3WishesDun · 04-09-2007, 07:42 PM

They can be very harsh. The center link is angled, and it applies a great deal of tongue pressure via a very thin area.

Huntseat · 04-09-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3WishesDun

They can be very harsh. The center link is angled, and it applies a great deal of tongue pressure via a very thin area.

Ohh, okay, ignore my last post. I just posted based on what came up on google, I didn't look at the pics closely enough. At first glance it looks like a normal french link which is what I use. Sorry!

harli36 · 04-10-2007, 06:01 AM

Dr. Bristol's are more harsh then a french link but that doesn't mean that they are harsh in general. IME they are less harsh then a single jointed snaffle, horses seem to prefer Dr. B's over single jointed bits.

The reason they are more harsh then a french link is because with a french link the center link lays flat against the horses tongue a Dr. B's center link is angled into the horses tongue.

HJ049 · 04-10-2007, 09:49 AM

I have heard it depends on how you put the bit in the horse's mouth, and the angle at which it lies depedns on how harsh it is. So which one of these would be more harsh by the way they are laying?

http://www.shop4bits.com/ccp51/media...%20BRISTOL.jpg

http://www.crossedsabers.com/images/...arm/EggDrB.jpg

Sorry if the pics aren't the greatest it was hard finding pics, that clearly showed the angle.

sorrell · 04-10-2007, 10:05 AM

The theory is, if the horse carries his head in a normal position, it acts like a jointed snaffle. If the horse raises his head, the wedge part puts more pressure on the tongue. In theory the horse is supposed to punish himself by fighting the bit, but the edge is not THAT sharp.
My instructor used to say that the bit is only as harsh as the hands that are holding the reins on the other end of it, and I think for the most part that is true.

Bex · 04-10-2007, 02:33 PM

It is meant to be a 'harsh' bit but my old pony went really nicely in one and I hunt Tini in one for a bit of extra control. As was said above the bit is only as harsh as the hands that use it. Although the Dr Bristol does apply tongue pressure.

Bex

turn-n-burn5477 · 04-10-2007, 02:37 PM

Thanks everyone!

Ah, I love this place

3WishesDun · 04-11-2007, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HJ049

I have heard it depends on how you put the bit in the horse's mouth, and the angle at which it lies depedns on how harsh it is. So which one of these would be more harsh by the way they are laying?

Sorry if the pics aren't the greatest it was hard finding pics, that clearly showed the angle.

The pictures are sort of small...
A french link will lie flat on the horse's tongue.
A Dr Bristol will lie an at angle.
I don't understand what you mean by "how you put the bit in the horse's mouth".... The mouthpiece will dictate how it lies not really how you insert it in the mouth.
Sustainable Dressage has some great information about bits. (and the differences in the mouthpieces....
http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php

04-09-2007, 07:33 PM	#1
turn-n-burn5477 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Georgetown, Pennsylvania Posts: 3,720 Images: 184	DR Bristol Bits.. Just curious, what makes them harsh? I remember reading somewhere on the forum that someone thought they were the harshest of the snaffles, or something like that. I forget, lol. So, I was just wondering what is was about them that makes them more severe than the others? Thanks! __________________ R.I.P.Blue Sky Shy&&Miss Behaven' Raven .Another horse will fill my days, but never take your place.

04-09-2007, 07:42 PM	#3
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 17,689 Images: 659 Blog Entries: 27	They can be very harsh. The center link is angled, and it applies a great deal of tongue pressure via a very thin area. __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost I've Been Snowballed!

04-10-2007, 06:01 AM	#5
harli36 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: northeastern Pa Posts: 4,732 Images: 45	Dr. Bristol's are more harsh then a french link but that doesn't mean that they are harsh in general. IME they are less harsh then a single jointed snaffle, horses seem to prefer Dr. B's over single jointed bits. The reason they are more harsh then a french link is because with a french link the center link lays flat against the horses tongue a Dr. B's center link is angled into the horses tongue. __________________ The Morgan Horse! Everything else is just a horse. http://www.morganhorse.com/

04-10-2007, 02:33 PM	#8
Bex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lancashire Posts: 397 Images: 41	It is meant to be a 'harsh' bit but my old pony went really nicely in one and I hunt Tini in one for a bit of extra control. As was said above the bit is only as harsh as the hands that use it. Although the Dr Bristol does apply tongue pressure. Bex __________________ I don't care who tells me, I won't die until someone proves to me that there are horses in heaven!

04-10-2007, 02:37 PM	#9
turn-n-burn5477 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Georgetown, Pennsylvania Posts: 3,720 Images: 184	Thanks everyone! Ah, I love this place __________________ R.I.P.Blue Sky Shy&&Miss Behaven' Raven .Another horse will fill my days, but never take your place.

04-10-2007, 09:49 AM	#6
HJ049 Full Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 239 Images: 22	I have heard it depends on how you put the bit in the horse's mouth, and the angle at which it lies depedns on how harsh it is. So which one of these would be more harsh by the way they are laying? http://www.shop4bits.com/ccp51/media...%20BRISTOL.jpg http://www.crossedsabers.com/images/...arm/EggDrB.jpg Sorry if the pics aren't the greatest it was hard finding pics, that clearly showed the angle.

04-10-2007, 10:05 AM	#7
sorrell Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,507 Images: 47 Blog Entries: 7	The theory is, if the horse carries his head in a normal position, it acts like a jointed snaffle. If the horse raises his head, the wedge part puts more pressure on the tongue. In theory the horse is supposed to punish himself by fighting the bit, but the edge is not THAT sharp. My instructor used to say that the bit is only as harsh as the hands that are holding the reins on the other end of it, and I think for the most part that is true.

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