I am looking for a basic bit. Just one for general use that wo not pinch a young horse is mouth. Also l would like your opinion as to which you prefer, and which you think are the most gentle: unjointed, jointed or double-jointed bits.

The best bit to start a youngster in is a snaffle. l recommend a loose ring snaffle. If the rings pinch his mouth, put some bit guards on. French link snaffles are also great. They do not have the nutcracker action that a single jointed snaffle has. If you start a young horse in a harsh bit you could potentially cause him to have a hard mouth.

It all depends on the horse. Feel the horses mouth against a couple and you will know.

On the young horse l always use a snaffle, Dr Bristol or even a Waterford snaffle. The waterford lifts the horse and makes it easier to ride up into the bridle and keeps it light on the hand (although they can be strong in the wrong hands). l also like using a snaffle with the cheek pieces as this helps with some steering when teaching the young horse.

It really depends on the horse.some have smaller mouths than others & bits that r gentle on a bigger mouth might be less so on a small one.for example thinner bits r seen as being harsher, but on a horse with a small mouth a thick bit would probably be worse. l would consult an expert on this one.maybe a horse dentist or saddler. Basically speaking a french link eggbutt is not a bad choice.but for a newly broken horse a breaking bit with keys might be helpful. You could also try a rubber coated bit.

Snaffle Are The Best.

l Like Egg Buts Because They Do not Come Loose But Some People prefer Loose Rings.

If You Need A Little More Strength Then French Links Are Good.

Hope This Helps x x x

l would definately say snaffle, if you are on a nice quiet horse. Personally, I've been riding for many years and l have never used anythig different. Horses have delicate mouths and l discourage strong bits, although sometimes they are necessary, especially when riding stallions.
Good luck!

Which is more severe really differs based on the horse, & ur use. Unjointed have a tendency to be more severe accross the board, while single jointed can be severe if used on a horse with a low palate (the joint can jab him in the roof of the mouth) & single joints can also squeeze the tongue pretty hard if u use them harshly. For that reason:

l like double jointed snaffles. Just be sure the center link lays flat accross the tongue. Some have a flat center link in which the edge lays accross the tongue which creates extreme tongue pressure. For this reason l like oval mouth snaffles. You can also get them with copper and/or roller mouths which will encourage some horses to chew the bit & soften their mouths.

Eggbuts will eliminate pinching at the corners, but so will a properly sized bit. A dee ring will offer some help with lateral guiding until the horse figures out the rein aids. But loose rings r classic & will continue to be acceptable for almost any discipline.

Whatever bit u decide on, measure carefully, double check ur bridle adjustment, & be gentle with the reins. Any bit poorly used can be severe.

u need to look at ur ride than decide all that some bits just focus one bad behavior or a hard mouth its best not to have a bet at all for gentle horse but for the kind l like is one that can take control of the situation. & the horse u ride. Ive seen horses go from the most aversive to a hack over time than ive seen wear u do not dear go out without a mouth opener a little pinch is all some horses need ive never seen wear a string is saddled & they all have the same type bit in. it all depends on the ride. u need trained on how the bet u have works & why ur horse has to have this bet some horses can do all bets ive also seen horses blow up over not having the write bet in. its true theirs a bet for every horse. what works for u & ur horse is the best to have. just the other day l seen a young cow boy try & put a hole lot of bet in the horses mouth & dam near got killed over doing it. he said l thought u said this bet Works good for him. l said yes but u may try warming it up first at five below no horse will stand for cold iron stuffed in his mouth. some times its operator mistake. like licking a cold poll in winter time does the same to him With out war min it up first.

A lot of good advice already offered, so l will just add that

1) l agree with the snaffle recommendations
2) You may want to consider a cheek snaffle or something with a D-ring so it does not pull through their mouth when you're steering
3) There r also rubber snaffles, which has a thick rubber coating over the actual metal bit itself, which is softer on their mouth. It also has a large diameter, & the larger the diameter the less severe the bit. These r what l use for training.

When l am starting a youngster, l normally look for the biggest egg butt l can find. That way there is LOTS for a youngster to play with and it wo not hurt the bars of the little one is mouth and definately wo not pinch.