Popular French Link Snaffle Bits for Your Horse

French link snaffle bits are one of the most popular bits when it comes to English riders. French link bits are double-jointed snaffle bits with a short, flat link at the center. This piece is made to lay flat on the horse’s tongue and allow the entire mouthpiece to form a bit better to the natural shape where a bit lays in a horse’s mouth and applies pressure to the tongue.

You can find French link snaffles made from stainless steel, sweet iron, copper, plastic, and Sensogan materials. Unlike regular snaffle bits that have a nutcracker effect, French link snaffle bits keep the mouthpiece low in the horse’s mouth. French link snaffles come in a variety of mouth and cheek styles like the D-ring, eggbutt, and loose ring snaffle cheek types.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Link Snaffles

What is a french link snaffle?

French link snaffles are a very popular bit choice among English riders, getting their name from the flat piece of metal at the center of the double-jointed mouthpiece. The “link” puts mild pressure on the horse’s tongue while allowing the bit to lay across the tongue in a more ergonomically correct way.

What does a french link bit do?

The French link snaffle bit link holds the two side pieces of the mouthpiece together while putting mild action on the horse’s tongue when the rider engages with the bit. This design allows the bit to stay flexible in the horse’s mouth, which can be more comfortable to the horse.

What is the difference between a french link and a snaffle?

The French link bit is different from a regular single-jointed snaffle bit as the French Link is double-jointed with a metal “link” at the very center and most plain snaffle bits are single-jointed with a nutcracker effect when the reins are pulled. On a French link snaffle, either side of the mouthpiece can move independently, which allows the rider to put pressure on the left or right side of the lips and corners of the mouth.

Are french link bits dressage legal?

No, French link snaffle bits are not permitted in FEI level Dressage, or in Dressage tests for Eventing. Some double-jointed snaffle bits are permitted for these levels of riding but must have smooth round shapes. The French link has a flat shape and therefore, is not permitted.

Want to learn more about snaffle bits? Check out Horse Bits 101: What is a Snaffle Bit?