[Rhythm 'n Blues]

Meggilyn, there is much larger difference between french links and Dr. Bristols then what you've already noticed.

The biggest difference is that he "middle link" of French Link bits, lays flat on the tongue of the horse, while the Dr. Bristol's link acutally sits on an angle on the horses' tongue, which provides more pressure on the tongue, which is what makes it a harsher bit.

I believe you were riding with the Kimberwick and had your reins in the top slots of the bit correct?? If that is the case, that is nearly exactly like riding in a d-ring snaffle......

[Meggilyn]

No I was riding with it on the bottom slot.

[sorrell]

I liked the control the Dr. Bristol gave me, but... it may lead to an opposite effect of the horse tucking his chin to his chest to avoid the pressure of the bar. I used the bit on my ex-race horse to get his head down and get him controlled, but then he started doing the chin to chest thing, so I took the bit off him completely and started doing round pen work in a halter alone. I tried a side pull too and with consistent work, he started to round out and listen.
It is a harder road to do the training and work on the behavior than to swap bits, but it is far more rewarding in the end.

[Meggilyn]

Originally Posted by sorrell

It is a harder road to do the training and work on the behavior than to swap bits, but it is far more rewarding in the end.

Yeah I figured that, but that's why I'm looking for a bit to help me work on the training. I'm really just looking for a good bit that my horse will soften to since the kimberwick isn't a good one for flatting because it has to much stop to it. Any contact brings my horse back, so I need something else.

[Dawn]

Why don't you try using the kimberwicke on the upper slots and see how she does?

[horseyfrk145]

I agree with Dawn, try the upper ring and just see how she goes.

Dr.Bristols are okay, but as R&B said - they're harsher than french links, but french links *in general* are not harsh bits. I use one on my horse because he seems to prefer the feel over a simple snaffle.

[seaecho]

French links (from what I've read) are among the mildest of all bits. A Dr. Bristol is much, much harsher than a french link because of the angle that was previously mentioned. Ride the Kimberwick on the top ring, or try a french link. I think you'll get the response you want from one or the other.

[TB Jumpers]

Originally Posted by Meggilyn

See that's what I'm trying to do. =)
but when I've tried going from the kimberwick right down to a snaffle, he takes advantage of it. So I'm trying to slowly downgrade..
Kimberwick, this bit, plain french link, and maybe eventually a simple snaffle.

My coach is helping me through it.. she's a new coach.. I've only had two lessons with her but we've starting planning how to go about re-training him. =)

Just to let you know a snaffle is a little stroner than a french link, a snaffle can pinch the toung.

I would not use a Dr. Bristol, it is a verry stong bit and it can cut the toung in the wrong hands (just like any other bit). A slow twist Dr. Bristol bit is a VERRY VERRY strong bit, I would say stronger than a Kimberwick (i dont know if thats true but i think it is). A slow twist is not a bit made for you to ride the horse up in to the bridle.

When your horse gets strong at the canter do you tighten up more with your reins? Have you tryed giving your reins so she hase nothing to lean on??

And one other thing, from what i have read your not suppose to use a running martingal with a curb bit (NOT trying to tell you what to do but just though i would say).

[TB Jumpers]

one other thing. have you checked him for pain?? not just saddle fit but legs, and hind end, is his SI out? Junior is out of work for a year b/c his whole body is in pain (came like that and though we could get him out of pain) and he did just what your horse is doing.

And we just found out that he hade a slight suspensory engery and he was jumped 3ft with it before we got him. SO he might not ever able to jump again.

[JumpingBean]

Originally Posted by TB Jumpers

Just to let you know a snaffle is a little stroner than a french link, a snaffle can pinch the toung.

I would not use a Dr. Bristol, it is a verry stong bit and it can cut the toung in the wrong hands (just like any other bit). A slow twist Dr. Bristol bit is a VERRY VERRY strong bit, I would say stronger than a Kimberwick (i dont know if thats true but i think it is). A slow twist is not a bit made for you to ride the horse up in to the bridle.

Well, if we are defining "strong" as "relative ease with which the bit can inflict pain," then a Dr. Bristol is not as strong as you seem to think. The middle link is at an angle, but when it is placed in the mouth properly (there are two possible angles, one sharp and the other mild) it is not really a big deal. It would take extreme force to cut the horse's tongue with this bit.

Some horses like it and some prefer other bits.

A slow twist is certainly stronger, but not as much as you imply. It is quite possible to ride the horse up into the bridle (I assume that by this you mean forward and accepting contact).