JP Korsteel Sweet Iron French Link Eggbutt Snaffle Bit

The french link is often confused with the Dr Bristol as both have a plate in the middle, but the french link snaffle is at the mild end of the bitting spectrum.

The curved mouthpiece follows the contours of the horses mouth and is good for horses with a larger tongue.

Sweet iron is a good metal for horse bits, as it provides the horse with a 'taste', stainless steel is a very bland metal and a lot of horses find it difficult to relax and mouth a stainless steel bit.

The centre plate in a french link eggbutt is shaped and lies flat on the horses tongue causing little to no pressure when in use. The double jointed mouthpiece eases pressure on the bars of the horses mouth and prevents palate pressure, making the french link one of the best bits for novice horses and riders.

The french link is especially good for horses with a large tongue, low palette mouth conformation as the bit is fairly unobtrusive in the horses mouth. The eggbutt cheek is a good cheek for novice riders or fussy mouthed horses as it limits the amount of fine vibration passed to the horse down the reins.

• Works on the bars and roof of the mouth due to the nutcracker action
• Can sometimes help prevent the horse from getting its tongue over the bit due to the high nature of the bit mouthpiece in the horses mouth when in use
• Bit strength: fairly mild
• Sweet iron oxidises in the horses mouth to produce a sweet taste and encourage salivation