A Ring cheekpiece introduces poll pressure as well as creating leverage on the mouthpiece, the 2 1/2 Ring version is the softest out of the 3 or 4 ring alternatives as the 1/2 ring softens the leverage on the mouthpiece and poll.
The Happy Tongue is a solid mouthpiece. It is curved and ported to give tongue relief. The Happy Tongue would be a good place to start if your horse is:
- Shaking its head
- Sticking its tongue out
- Sucking its tongue back and as a result, making an intermittent coughing noise
- Trying to put its tongue over the bit
- Going behind the bit to avoid the contact
- Snatching the reins forward and down
The rider will know immediately if this is the correct bit, as a horse with a sensitive tongue will finally begin to work into and accept the contact. Changing the cheekpieces would then allow the rider to adjust the level of control.
