Hi Judy, >>>Snaffles, single-joined, can cause a lot of harm to a horse, especially those who have low palates, which Icelandics tend to have.
Yes any bit can cause harm if used incorrectly. >>>What about the icelandic bit? I am not a fan the way. I have ridden in one at a couple of WC but the shanks hung straight down 90% of the time and the thing I really didn't like was that I felt as though there was a disconnect between me and the horse. Is there anything comparable in english riding, or classical riding, to the icelandic bit? The shanked snaffle in western is similar and although it shouldn't be used with a lot of contact sometimes it is. In classical riding they often use a curb bit by itself. I think the horse has to be ridden really carefully and it is not easy. Robyn Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com
