[Goonhorse]

Well, I guess the title about says it all. What are the pros and cons of either one. I guess I've just not had much experience with loose rings, and to me, they look like they'd pinch, and that kind of turns me off of them, but am I right?

And how about eggbutt vs. Dee ring? Is there any difference in them besides looks?

[Heavenly Jumper]

Some people have problems with loose rings pinching. (I haven't) but they make lip guards to fix that.

There are also issues with some horses not liking the metal on metal rattle that they can have. Especially if your reins have clips on the ends.

I like a loose ring for a horse that sometimes leans on the bit...it's hard for them to do that when the mouthpiece rotates around the ring. I use the play in the bit for lightness as well...I will give a little jiggle on the rein like a half halt.

[Goonhorse]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyJumper

Some people have problems with loose rings pinching. (I haven't) but they make lip guards to fix that.

There are also issues with some horses not liking the metal on metal rattle that they can have. Especially if your reins have clips on the ends.

I like a loose ring for a horse that sometimes leans on the bit...it's hard for them to do that when the mouthpiece rotates around the ring. I use the play in the bit for lightness as well...I will give a little jiggle on the rein like a half halt.

Thanks, Heather. I know we have a loose ring around here somewhere, and we used to have the guard thingies. Maybe I should rumage around in the barn and see if I can find them. That should be fun.

[AQHA Hunter]

I like loose rings, and haven't had a problem with pinching. If you do, going up a 1/4 inch in size might help. Bit guards always just seemed to get in the way, IME. I'm not a big fan of eggbutts, myself. The joint seems to make for a heavy bit, and they're less stable in the mouth than an offset D.

[Xiphias]

I have never liked loose rings, I have seen them pinch the corners of some horse's mouths, Egg butts are good, but I have had great results with a Dee ring snaffle with most of my horses, with the exception of my ottb mare, who hates any jointed bit....Cathy

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

I am a giant fan of the loose ring!

They do make it harder for the horse to lean on your, as the bit rotatoes around the rings.

As for an eggbutt, that is my next bit of choice. I much prefer them over the D b/c there is less touching the horse around the mouth/lips. With the D if you ask them to turn to the right, the left side of the bit helps move them in the direction....be me I don't want that.

The Eggbutt is a nice in the middle between a loose ring and a D. If the horse can't take the little "jingle" of the metal on metal of the loose ring, then I take an Eggbutt......I stay away from D's...but that's just me

[ahorseofcourse]

not to hijack your thread but, can you use a d-ring snaffle even if you ride western? Cause this lady said this is an english bit, you ride western dont use it. I want to use the dee ring I got because my loose ring is pincing the sides of my horses mnouth

[TheBlackHorse]

Originally Posted by ahorseofcourse

not to hijack your thread but, can you use a d-ring snaffle even if you ride western? Cause this lady said this is an english bit, you ride western dont use it. I want to use the dee ring I got because my loose ring is pincing the sides of my horses mnouth

I see nothing wrong with using a D ring in Western! They also make a "western D ring" that looks like this:

[LuckyAshley]

Originally Posted by ahorseofcourse

not to hijack your thread but, can you use a d-ring snaffle even if you ride western? Cause this lady said this is an english bit, you ride western dont use it. I want to use the dee ring I got because my loose ring is pincing the sides of my horses mnouth

If you are showing and your horse is over the age of 5, you are required to use a curb. But if the horse is under 5, and if you're not showing... a snaffle is fine.
-Ashley

[cleveland13]

I like all three bits for different reasons.

The loose ring is constantly moving in the horses mouth. This does two things: (1) helps prevent the horse from grabbing the bit in his teeth and (2) often encourages the horse to soften onto the bit. I've never had issues with the pinching problem, but they do make those bit things to prevent pinching and to keep the bit from sliding through the horse's mouth (which I have seen with many types of bits). Also, a friend at my barn has a really cool loosering that is designed not to pinch. At the point where the ring usually runs through the mouthpiece, her bit gets much wider, so almost 1/3 or the ring is running through it at a time. This prevent pinching. I have no idea what type of bit it is, but it's really cool.

Dee rings and Eggbuts both provide more lateral guidance than a loose ring, but less than a full cheek without the protruding cheeks. Eggbuts are designed to prevent pinching. I have seen Dee rings that pinch very easily because the points to attachment is very narrow, unlike an eggbut. Many people (especially show people) like to start young horses in an eggbut, and then move up to a Dee ring for showing. The Dee looks nicer in the show ring than an eggbut, but it really doesn't matter.