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Loose rings vs. eggbutts ???????

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  • #1

    Loose rings vs. eggbutts ???????

    Could someone please explain the difference in action between these two bits ? I have heard concerns about horses lips being pinched by loose rings is this true ?
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  • #2
    If you have the right size loose-ring AND you don't plan on rough steering, horse lips should never get pinched.

    The egg butt is the better choice for extreme steering situations or for a young horse learning the ropes. Except....

    The loose ring is the less stable bit. It will not allow your horse to lean quite as much. For some young horses and "starting philosophies" (as in the Western World especially), people want an unstable bit.

    Does this help enough?
    Last edited by mvp; Mar. 31, 2010, 11:18 AM.
    The armchair saddler
    Politically Pro-Cat

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    • #3
      Some horses have fleshy lips that can be prone to being pinched by the loose ring snaffle.

      Otherwise the loose ring allows for more movement of the bit in the horses mouth that can discourage leaning and encourage mouthing.

      The eggbutt can be thought of as a bit that is between a loose ring and a dee ring.

      The egg butt won't move as freely in a horses mouth.... some horses prefer this and will be more willing to take up contact with an eggbutt.

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      • #4
        a loose ring is an unstable bit, and depending on your riding and training philosophy this may be something you want. It can encourage mouthing, discourage leaning and other such activities, and because of it's ... movability (??? it's very early this morning...) the young horse must pay attention to your aids.

        an eggbut is more stable, and you don't have to worry about the bit pinching their lips (although with a properly fitted loosering that *shouldn't* be a problem).
        Riding the winds of change

        Heeling NRG Aussies
        Like us on facebook!

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        • #5
          I agree with Rhyadawn, if you are a less experienced rider the lose ring can provide to much movement in your horses mouth. You need a decent instructor to see you and your horse together and recommend the correct bit out of the hundreds of options you have.

          R x

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          • #6
            Not to start an argument, but I always thought that horses should be started in loose ring snaffles and ideally, should stay in them for their lives. At least that's what my ideal picture is, and I totally disagree that loose ring discourages learning?

            The horse cannot hang on loose ring, as it will rotate, eggbutt puts some lateral face pressure.

            Here is a lot of info about bits and correct placement of bits.

            http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php

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            • #7
              Also, you can buy bit guards that help prevent a loose ring pinching the lips.
              Eight Fences Farm. Mansfield, MA

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Equus_girl View Post
                Not to start an argument, but I always thought that horses should be started in loose ring snaffles and ideally, should stay in them for their lives. At least that's what my ideal picture is, and I totally disagree that loose ring discourages learning?

                The horse cannot hang on loose ring, as it will rotate, eggbutt puts some lateral face pressure.

                Here is a lot of info about bits and correct placement of bits.

                http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php
                To each their own.

                I said above that where you stand on bitting depends on your riding ability, and what training you have had, and how your trainer felt on such issues. It depends on your school of thought.
                Riding the winds of change

                Heeling NRG Aussies
                Like us on facebook!

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Rhyadawn View Post
                  To each their own.

                  I said above that where you stand on bitting depends on your riding ability, and what training you have had, and how your trainer felt on such issues. It depends on your school of thought.
                  Also on the horse. I was all gung-ho to do snaffle only! Lucky really didn't like, the only other bit I had to hand was a rubber mullen-mouth pelham, and he stopped chomping, flipping, and fussing. I have no idea what exactly he disliked about a D ring snaffle, but he certainly isn't inclined to lean on the bit so I doubt that's it. Maybe it's even he just likes the rubber better. Dunno. I can ride in a pelham so it doesn't matter to me one way or the other, but my old horse hated the bit, Lucky seems to prefer it.
                  Author Page
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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by luvs2ridewbs View Post
                    Also, you can buy bit guards that help prevent a loose ring pinching the lips.
                    Unfortunately, those are illegal in certain show situations (Stupid rule, I know, but them's the rules!).

                    If it helps, we usually put eggbutts on horses that are too light in the bridle or tend to try to curl behind the bit, and keep those that are more willing to work into contact in looserings.

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                    • #11
                      I ride my current horse on a loose ring. I need very little contact to get him into the bridle. Steering is easy with him also.

                      My old horse we used a loose ring because he would lean on the bit and be heavy on the forehand.

                      Same bit used for different reasons. I did ride current horsey on a D-ring and he dispised it. He would pout in his way and made for a fun ride.
                      Insignia MC - Spanish PRE mare
                      Kenny - Hanoverian Gelding
                      Tuggy - RIP at the bridge (9/12/2016)
                      Theodore the Boxer - RIP at the the bridge (10/5/2017)

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                      • #12
                        During training at 4 yrs old, my mare was transitioned over from a bitless sidepull to a loose-ring snaffle, and she's been great in it ever since (she's 17 now).

                        I have this style of loose-ring where the ends of the mouthpiece have "sleeves" that cover the junction with the side rings, so no chance of pinching:
                        http://www.horse-boutique.co.uk/imag...6b4a657489.jpg
                        Equus Keepus Brokus

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                        • #13
                          I'm a dressage person and I prefer eggbutts over loose rings. Horses just seem to accept and go better in the more stable eggbutt. Also, loose rings get gunked up and end up in and on your bridle leather where the bit sits. Yuck.

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                          • #14
                            Both of my current horses were started in loose rings, they seem to prefer eggbutts but no major issues with either bit.

                            I do teach all my horses to go properly in curb bits, as well. Just part of a complete education in my opinion. Some horses do go better in curb bits, and if they do, that's what they wear. Ultimately, it's not the bit, it's the hands.

                            The concept that a horse 'should' stay in a snaffle all its life is to me the wrong approach. Mainly because I have seen so many snaffle bits, combined with uneducated hands, that resulted in unhappy and/or uncontrolled horses, often with lacerated tongues due to the mistaken notion that a snaffle is a 'mild' bit and 'cannot' hurt a horse's mouth.

                            Just my .02

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Beverley View Post
                              The concept that a horse 'should' stay in a snaffle all its life is to me the wrong approach. Mainly because
                              Except with regards to certain notions of physics, morality, love and life, I think the concept that anything "should" remain the same forever is a "bit" far reaching........

                              I have seen so many snaffle bits, combined with uneducated hands, that resulted in unhappy and/or uncontrolled horses, often with lacerated tongues due to the mistaken notion that a snaffle is a 'mild' bit and 'cannot' hurt a horse's mouth.
                              Sans what must surely be "severely" uneducated hands, I think a plain snaffle bit that fits the conformation of a particular horses mouth and is competently chosen for that horse, is a mild bit.

                              A french link egg butt snaffle can be one of the mildest jointed bits there is.... IMHO

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                              • #16
                                The statement that all horses should be started in a loose ring and go the rest of their life like that makes me roll my eyes. Does that mean that Sapphire, Judgement, Ravel, and other horses at the highest level were started wrong? Could they jump higher or have better movement had they been in a loose ring?? Maybe I'm just interpreting the statement in a different way... Every horse is different and having them go in a bit "just because they should" is silly. Now that being said, I've ridden horses that go great in loose rings, and ridden some that like something a little more stable in their mouths.
                                Originally posted by JSwan
                                Prove it....Otherwise, you're just coming off as a whackjob.
                                Founding member of the "Not too Klassy for Boxed Wine" Clique

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                                • #17
                                  Originally posted by Percheron X View Post
                                  Sans what must surely be "severely" uneducated hands, I think a plain snaffle bit that fits the conformation of a particular horses mouth and is competently chosen for that horse, is a mild bit.

                                  A french link egg butt snaffle can be one of the mildest jointed bits there is.... IMHO
                                  My basis for disagreement is observing, with a DVM, the healed lacerations on the tongues of horses that have 'only' been ridden in 'mild' snaffle bits. In particular, one that comes to mind was a 7 yo homebred dressage horse. 'Correctly trained and ridden' according to its shocked owner.

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                                  • #18
                                    Originally posted by Tap2Tango View Post
                                    The statement that all horses should be started in a loose ring and go the rest of their life like that makes me roll my eyes.
                                    Agreed. Too many horses out there with riders hauling on their snaffles when both horse and rider would be so much happier with a feather light touch on a 'stronger' bit.

                                    Comment

                                    • #19
                                      I have a loose ring on my fussy-mouthed boy. Because he IS fussy (snatching, leaning, curling, you name it), I had him in an egg-butt french link Happy Mouth, and he was marginally happier in that, but then I lifted his lips and found his tongue oozing out between his teeth, so I switched to a loose-ring Myler french link and he's as happy as can be. No more curling, snatching, or pulling. I think that he was leaning on the eggbut (because it allowed him to) and then he'd start to curl. The loose ring prevents him from doing this, and he listens to my aids much better.

                                      FWIW, I ride dressage and event. The horse in question is a very wiggly Trakehner.
                                      "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison

                                      So, the Zen Buddhist says to the hotdog vendor, "Make me one with everything."

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                                      • Original Poster
                                        #20
                                        Thank you to all for the info. The reason I asked is that I am getting ready to start my driving pony and as his bit size is 4'' I will need to buy him his own bit because all mine are way too big. I have always been and eggbutt or full cheek person, but loose rings are also popular and I wasn't sure how their action differed from and eggbutt. Thanks for the help !

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