Summer's prev owner sent her bit with her. They said it took them awhile to find the one she liked, so they wanted her to keep it. It is a french link boucher.

Now, I LOVE french links. But I have no clue what a boucher does? I didn't even know which side was up until I found a pic online So what action does it cause differently then, say, a D ring french link? And is it legal to show in h/j shows? (I know shows can vary their rules, but all the ones here follow... I forget, but the big association's rules).

When I rode her this AM I used my full cheek french link, b/c it was already on the bridle, and at that point I wasn't yet sure which way was up with the boucher She did ok, but if I try the other, she may do better, or maybe the same, I don't know until I try it. It sounded like this was the first double jointed bit they tried on her. If that's so, it might be THAT that she prefers (I know my Chili had an INSTANT positive response when I switched him to a double jointed bit!)

Jessi

Not sure what a boucher does, but not knowing has never stopped me from an opinion. It sounds like you had a great ride with Summer today; the D french-link snaffle is one of the kindest bits around. Unless it turns out that the boucher is easier, I'd stick with what you know is gentle and that she seemed to like, IMHO. There are just way too many bits out there! I just went to a happy mouth full cheek snaffle for my green, but very calm, fella, so it wouldn't slide in his mouth, but they'll play hell getting him into anything but a snaffle.

Here's a quick overview site of snaffles, including the boucher:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snaffle_bit#The_Snaffle_Rings

Sounds a little less flexible.

Thanks for the link. She seemed to do fine in my full cheek, I just don't know if she'd do even better in the boucher. However, I don't want to try it if she can't be shown in it, there'd be no point to even trying it, IMO? But if she CAN be shown in it, then I'll try it once, to see if she prefers that to the full cheek. Make sense?

Jessi

Makes sense to me. What are you going to show her in?Another senior moment,'cause I know you said... The bit doesn't look like one that would be banned since it's just a variation of the snaffle, but there should be a link for the various disciplines - they usually have the rulebook on Acrobat so it can even be downloaded, all 5,000,000 pages.

Hunter/jumper for now. I want to do eventing, but need to work my way into that

LOL yeah, I was hoping to avoid scanning through a million gazillion rule pages

Jessi

I've seen those! I thought it was a driving bit. I had to get a french-link snaffle for my 17 hand appaloosa. It was the only bit I could find in farm-field Iowa wide enough not to pinch! Love it!

I have a french link boucher bit as well. A friend gave it to me a while back. I believe its more popular in dressage but I do know it enchances poll pressure over a regular snaffle. Put in on a bridle (correctly - of course and pull the reins back and you will see what I mean. As far as legal for H/J shows I have no idea. I got it to use on a horse I no longer have, and haven't used it in years. However I was thinking of trying it on my 17 hand QH HUS gelding to see what it does for him but not sure I am that brave yet.... right now he is in a kimberwicke!!

Wasn't Cat using one on somebody? Too bad she's not around to chime in right now. Me, I have no idea!
Suzanne

A few months ago when I was looking for advice about a bit change for Bailey, someone (I think it may have been Jenny&Pollyanna) posted this link

http://www.horseridinguk.co.uk/bitting_advice.htm

third item down explains the action of the baucher.
Hope this helps.

BTW - when I switched bits it was to a french link & it's made the world of difference with Bailey.

Thanks for the link, that helped!

Still wondering... one of the shows I'm goign to go to doesn't mention following anyone's rules... another mentions USEF rules regarding tack...

Jessi

Looking in USEF rules...

"regulation snaffles, pelhams, and full bridles... are recomended. A judge may penalize for non-conventional types of bits..."

That's not very helpful Is a boucher "non-conventional"???

Jessi

Shouldn't the rules be more explicit than that...?

A boucher gives slight poll pressure to encourage the horse to lower its head and into a better outline, its only slight so it might not play hugely on the horses head

From another BB discussion Also try doing a search on that site for boucher. There are quite a few discussions about how it works and what it's legal for.

We use one on ours. the poll pressure is minimal and their main benefit is that they lift the pressure off the tongue which is great for larger tongued horses. if thats what she goes in then id say dont change for the sake of it. its a conventional bit in the uk but dont know about the usa. the cheek piece attaches the upper ring and the rein to the sticky out one.

hope that helps and doesnt ramble!