Re: RC: BITZ!!

[SandyDSA@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/23/01 9:45:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
renieburnett@juno.com writes:


> GRRR...If a bit has Shanks, it has LEVERAGE.  A Snaffle bit does not have
> leverage.  A snaffle can have any type of mouth piece, jointed or ported
> or tongue release or whatever.  So long as it has no shank it is still a
> snaffle.  Bit makers NOW,  for some unknown reason automatically call
> everything with a jointed mouth piece a SNAFFLE.  A cavalry man would
> have a tizzy.  I hope you are (you must be) a very light handed rider; 
> the bit you describe as a short shanked snaffle was called by John Lyons
> as an extremely vicious in the wrong hands.  You can not teach Lateral
> movements in one.  You can however crack walnuts with them. I like the 
> kimberwicke with the ported mouthpiece....it is much milder.  won't crack
> a nut or crush a tongue.


Amen to ALL of this - just chaps my hide to listen to folks call a bit a 
snaffle when in fact it is a jointed curb! (same dudes I guess who call every 
foal a "colt", and they 'ride' in a 'colt snaffle'" What the &^%( is that?). 
Those Mullen mouth and low port kimberwickes are nice - our horses love them 
- they REALLY love kind and knowing hands;)!