[FrogInABlender]

The little piece that rotates in the middle of the port of the bit is called a "cricket". I use one like this for my older gelding, Tennessee, but mine doesn't have the chain between the shanks...

I'm using one like this on Blade coz he doesn't need much in the way of control...

The guy who trains for me uses this bit on his horse. It looks severe, but it actually isn't because the flat mouthpiece swivels independantly on the shanks so that it always lies flat on the bars of the mouth. I've been thinking of getting one of them myself...

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't think Cyn feels good this morning. She always rolls once when we turn her out, today she rolled 3-4 times and just wanted to lie there. I closed them into the paddock so I can keep an eye out.

Pony is getting in her face here... p*ssed her off enough to make her get up and run her off...

So now she's up and eating. She's probably just tired. Those kids messing around last night kept everyone from getting a good night's sleep.

[MissTargets]

Some of those flat mouth piece bits can be as severe as a ported bit. You figure, that the pressure is right down on their tongue. The port would take some pressure off the tongue and put it on the roof on the mouth. The longer the shank, the more leverage and severity.

Shank length is limited at AQHA shows. Did you ever see riders having to drop their bridles,after performing in reining classes?