I'd actually kinda thought that myself, just by thinking about the mechanics of it, but it's nice to hear it from somebody else. I'd always thought that a snaffle seemed like it would have a "nut cracker" effect, pinching the lower jaw. I realize that snaffles are meant to be used by pulling one rein or the other to get lateral flexion, not both at the same time, unless you're asking for vertical flexion, but like you say, inexperienced riders mostly pull on both to stop, like they would in a curb. I've actually been thinking about going to this bit...
The mouthpiece swivels on the shanks, so it's always laying flat on the bars of the mouth. They've just got it tilted in the picture so you can see how wide it is. It looks severe, but it's actually supposed to be milder than most regular round low port curb bits. It's supposed to give more control with less pressure. So I don't know. Like I way, I'm just thinking about it.
That's interesting about the feed. I always thought that more protein was better. I guess I need to rethink my feeding habits.
I knew that equine dentistry was more of an art than most people realized. That's why I really don't like the way my vet floats teeth. He did finally get a power float, but he doesn't like to use a speculum. He just pulls their tongue out to the side, and to me, you can't see what you're doing that way. I think that to really do a good job, you've got to have their mouth open wide enough, for long enough that you can see and feel all the way to the back teeth for long enough to tell that you've got a good level surface on the teeth. God Bless Him, I love him for everything else, but he just doesn't think equine dentistry is that big a deal, and it is.
