Understanding the French Link Bit
Is the French Link bit gentle or severe?
Anybody who knows what a French Link bit is, probably has an answer for this question. But is their answer correct? I’ve been told by respected trainers that the French Link is ‘quite harsh’ and then confused when a Pony Club presentation stated the French Link is a gentle bit. My own confusion over the subject led me to do some research on my own. Here is what I found.
What is a French Link?
The French Link bit is a double-jointed bit were to plate in the middle is flat. Pay close attention to the boreholes for the middle plate. The holes are parallel with the boreholes for the rings at the end of the snaffle. This is important to note because the Bristol bit looks very similar, but with the boreholes for the center plate set 135 degrees off from the holes for the rings.
The French Link in use
When the French Link is lying flat with rings straight out the bit is all on the same plane. If you were to place the bit in your horse’s mouth with the rings falling downward (no rein contact), the center plate would sit flat on your horse’s tongue. In this position, the bit is gentle and comfortable. But I want you to imagine gathering the reins. This rotates the rings about 45 degrees (Benoist, 2007). As the bit rotates the plate presses down into the tongue. On some horses, the top edge of the plate may also press into the roof of the mouth (Benoist, 2007).
My conclusion? The French Link is not a gentle bit and many horses will find it uncomfortable. With added rein pressure the bit could even become severe.
The Bristol
As mentioned, Bristol bits look a lot like the French Link. The main difference is the center plate sits at a 135-degree angle. If fitted correctly, the plate will lie flat against the tongue when rein pressure is applied. This definitely sounds like a better solution. But is it important to take into account the boreholes of the bit attaching to the plate. The Bristol has accomplished the task of placing the plate in a comfortable position flat against the tongue. But the boreholes themselves create bulges that may now press uncomfortably into the tongue or roof of the mouth.
To see both of these bits in action within the horse’s mouth, check out the x-ray images available in the article Is the French Link permitted for use in dressage competition? At NSbits.com.
Beniost, Caroline. “French Link v Dr Bristol – Lingfield Correspondence.” Lingfield Correspondence, Dr Caroline Benoist, 3 Feb. 2007, https://www.horse-care.co.uk/french-link-v-dr-bristol/.
