The cheek of a hanging cheek bit is similar to the top section of a pelham, and exerts a little poll pressure which can help reluctant horses to break at the poll and flex more readily. One of the stronger dressage legal bits, the Filet baucher french mouth snaffle conforms to the shape of the horses mouth more naturally than a jointed bit, eliminating the nutcracker action. An ideal bit to use in a dressage test for horses used to being ridden in a pelham or continental bit. Ref: UTWB625