Interesting article. And I usually go to bed at 3! I've been thru lots of bits (tack queen) . I truly believe that the rider is 100% at fault for using a bit the wrong way. With my Walker, I've loved a western curb because I barely had to do any work. She never liked a jointed bit or a straight bar. I've worked my way down over the years to a short shank Pelham limited joint with a small ball in the middle. She likes it and chews on it a lot which keeps her jaw unlocked. I love the Pelham because it's got room for snaffle reins. I feel like it's much better and less harsh than using a snaffle with someone pulling constantly. My belief is that your hands should never move backwards. You can hold hard like stop moving them, or squeeze your fingers, but never pull back (with exceptions like bolting). I should also be able to push my pelvis into my hands to stop.
Bunny, that's why I follow classic dressage, hands without legs , legs without hands. I use just enough contact with a shanked bit for communication. Yes that should be alternated with looped reins as a reward. I use the same contact with both, but most horses are heavier in a snaffle until schooled.
I had a surprise when just keeping her jaw soft made everything just fall into place. There's a video on You Tube from Lisa Maxwell and it's 6 minutes long and gives a lovely example of how well that works. You can have a piaffe with looped reins, unlike the grand prix riders who seem to compress a horse into a collection.
I'm rambling. LOL
