I purchased this bit after reading several articles on the use of fixed mouthpiece on barrel horses and the description provided with the bit on the NRS page. I have a young horse with an extremely light mouth, lots of go, very quick, and mentally sensitive who needed to graduate to something with more control but did not cause his typical reaction to pressure in his mouth. I was totally surprised at his response; took it easily and allowed it to position itself (I love the fact that it has some slight mobility) and as I eased him around to assure him no bite or pinch, he relaxed into it like he had nothing in his mouth. I have yet to run him in it but the dry work and pattern work was as perfect as in a ring snaffle but with a whoa. It seemed that he flexed at the poll as I pulled back, stayed round in the back, and his hip followed easily in the turns, I hope to try it on another horse and gauge the reaction as I really like the idea of the solid piece and little to no gag.