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 hanging cheek snaffle has a jointed mouthpiece that acts like a nutcracker on the bars, and will often contact with the horses palate. An ideal bit to use in a dressage test for horses used to being ridden in a jointed pelham or jointed continental bit. Ref: UTWB629