Q: What are the benefits of a bit with a lozenge over a normal French link?
A: Most horses seem to prefer bits with lozenges over normal French links. This is likely due to how the bit lies in the horse’s mouth under rein tension. Without any contact on the rein, the plate of a French link sits quite comfortably against the tongue. However, when rein contact is applied, the mouthpiece rotates and the plate digs into the tongue or upper palate. NOTE: In horses with a low palate and a large tongue, both areas can be impacted. A typical response to the French link is, therefore, a sharp head toss during half-halts or downward transitions. Alternatively, some riders report that their horse becomes very heavy in a French link as the horse chooses to lean into the pain
Mouthpiece designs with a lozenge offer a much more comfortable feel. As the mouthpiece rotates under rein tension, the smooth lozenge acts on the tongue as opposed to the narrow edge of the French link. This distributes the pressure over a wider area making the horse more comfortable. Many riders report that this type of bit encourages their horses to take the weight through the rein and accept the bit, rather than resisting it.