The Loose Ring Tube cheek pieces lies flat against the horse's face giving a more solid feel against the side of the face, while preventing pinching of the lips and the bit being pulled through the mouth. The mouthpiece is quite fixed in the mouth and concentrates pressure on the bars but the loose rings allow for a quick release.
The Happy Tongue is a solid mouth piece. It is curved and ported to give tongue relief. The Happy Tongue would be a good place to start if your horse is:
- Shaking its head
- Sticking its tongue out
- Sucking its tongue back and as a result making an intermittent coughing noise
- Trying to put its tongue over the bit
- Going behind the bit to avoid the contact
- Snatching the reins forward and down
The rider will know immediately if this is the correct bit, as a horse with a sensitive tongue will finally begin to work into, and accept the contact. Changing the cheek pieces would then allow the rider to adjust the level of control.
