WORKING IN A SNAFFLE AND CHOOSING A BIT
All lower level horses must be ridden in a snaffle, which is the easiest of all bits. However, it is important to note that any bit can be harmful in the wrong hands.
To begin, it is important to say that the snaffle consists of large rings. The large rings may vary to the shape of an eggbutt ring, D-ring, a ring with full cheeks, half cheeks or hanging cheeks, but these types of bit rings will work in a similar fashion as compared to any other cheek pieces. The mouthpiece is not important to the label of a snaffle bit. There are several kinds of mouthpieces that can all be on a snaffle. Nevertheless the snaffle rings are important. If a rider did not use a snaffle ring, he would likely be using a bit with a shank, which is harsh for ‘two-hand reining’ on a younger, unschooled horse. The most important aspect of the snaffle, is that it creates less pressure than a curb bit which uses leverage and works towards teaching the horse to bend properly, to flex and hold his head in the vertical to remain on the bit. When the horse is on the bit, he holds his held in the vertical and this helps the rider have the most control. As rein pressure is applied, the horse will try to choose the path of least resistance and bend towards it or pull in an attempt to get away from the bit pressure on his tongue. This creates a bend in the horse’s neck. If the horse is traveling forward, a turn can easily be initiated. If pressure is lightly maintained on the outside of the turn, or outside rein, the horse will hold his head in the vertical as a way to escape the pressure. The result is a horse in the vertical, flexing his head and he will either slow or stop if too much pressure is exerted.
To begin, it is important to say that the snaffle consists of large rings. The large rings may vary to the shape of an eggbutt ring, D-ring, a ring with full cheeks, half cheeks or hanging cheeks, but these types of bit rings will work in a similar fashion as compared to any other cheek pieces. The mouthpiece is not important to the label of a snaffle bit. There are several kinds of mouthpieces that can all be on a snaffle. Nevertheless the snaffle rings are important. If a rider did not use a snaffle ring, he would likely be using a bit with a shank, which is harsh for ‘two-hand reining’ on a younger, unschooled horse. The most important aspect of the snaffle, is that it creates less pressure than a curb bit which uses leverage and works towards teaching the horse to bend properly, to flex and hold his head in the vertical to remain on the bit. When the horse is on the bit, he holds his held in the vertical and this helps the rider have the most control. As rein pressure is applied, the horse will try to choose the path of least resistance and bend towards it or pull in an attempt to get away from the bit pressure on his tongue. This creates a bend in the horse’s neck. If the horse is traveling forward, a turn can easily be initiated. If pressure is lightly maintained on the outside of the turn, or outside rein, the horse will hold his head in the vertical as a way to escape the pressure. The result is a horse in the vertical, flexing his head and he will either slow or stop if too much pressure is exerted.
The mouthpiece is more the preference of the horse. The cheek pieces work more for the schooling technique.
For example, the loose ring allows the bit to slide through the mouthpiece. This leeway will allow the horse to chew the bit slightly and that action will encourage the horse to relax his jaw and drop his head as any tension is released.
The D-ring, or Dee ring, has a fixed position on the mouthpiece and creates a small amount of leverage that will help guide a horse downwards and to the sides. The D-ring is excellent for riding horses that are more resistant to turn.
Full cheeks and half cheeks are designed to keep the bit in the mouth and prevent the sideways sliding action. Because the cheeks protrude up and down on the full cheek, or Fulmer, and up only on the half cheek, bit loops are used to keep the bit securely in place and not catch on anything. The full cheek with bit loops or keepers is considered to be one of the lightest and easiest bits for the younger, greener horses. The bit loops will push forward as the reins pull back on the ring. This will create downward pressure on the horse’s poll and encourage him to stay in the vertical offering more control for the rider at all gaits.
For example, the loose ring allows the bit to slide through the mouthpiece. This leeway will allow the horse to chew the bit slightly and that action will encourage the horse to relax his jaw and drop his head as any tension is released.
The D-ring, or Dee ring, has a fixed position on the mouthpiece and creates a small amount of leverage that will help guide a horse downwards and to the sides. The D-ring is excellent for riding horses that are more resistant to turn.
Full cheeks and half cheeks are designed to keep the bit in the mouth and prevent the sideways sliding action. Because the cheeks protrude up and down on the full cheek, or Fulmer, and up only on the half cheek, bit loops are used to keep the bit securely in place and not catch on anything. The full cheek with bit loops or keepers is considered to be one of the lightest and easiest bits for the younger, greener horses. The bit loops will push forward as the reins pull back on the ring. This will create downward pressure on the horse’s poll and encourage him to stay in the vertical offering more control for the rider at all gaits.
The Baucher bit hangs, meaning it has a separate ring for the headstall placement and a large snaffle ring for the rein placement. The hanging bit puts more pressure on the bars of the mouth and offers better control for more resistant and disobedient horses as well as helps weaker riders prevent runaways. This is done by the rein pressure being lower on the bit and creating a small amount of leverage. The smaller ring, where the headstall attaches to, will push forward as the reins pull back on the bottom ring. This will create downward pressure on the horse’s poll and encourage him to stay in the vertical offering more control for the rider at all gaits.
The diameter of the bit is very important. The thinner the mouthpiece the harsher it is. A sensitive horse will require a thicker bit. If the horse is really sensitive, an eggbutt can be used. If a horse is likely to run away with the rider and ignore cues, the horse may require a thinner bit. This is usually unlikely when the horse is trained properly, but is common in weak riders and children, or in green horses with hot temperaments.
The mouthpiece belongs on the bars of the mouth. The bars of the mouth are the fleshy parts of the jaw where no teeth grow. A proper fitting snaffle is one where the mouthpiece extends no more than a half inch total out of the horse’s mouth. It must not pinch the lips at any time. The bit must rest in the horse’s mouth creating one or two wrinkles in the corners. Three or more wrinkles create too much pressure and may touch the molars. A bit that is two loose may irritate the horse as well but not resting in place and forcing the horse to pick up the bit himself, of which that action will cause the muscles to tense so as to hold the bit and create a paralyzing effect in free flowing forward movement. The horse needs to relax and have the bit in the correct place, so that he can focus on his tasks at hand.
The type of mouthpiece used will largely be determined by the horse’s temperament and sensitivity as well as training. A jointed bit has a ‘nut-cracker’ effect because as the reins are applied, the bit bends and puts pressure on the bars of the mouth and also the roof of the mouth. The mullen mouthpiece is a bit gentler as it does not flex so no pressure is put on the roof of the horse’s mouth. A ported bit has a curve to it and allows for tongue relief and is easier for the horse to swallow. Again no pressure is exerted on the roof of the mouth.
For more information on Tack see Rider I
The diameter of the bit is very important. The thinner the mouthpiece the harsher it is. A sensitive horse will require a thicker bit. If the horse is really sensitive, an eggbutt can be used. If a horse is likely to run away with the rider and ignore cues, the horse may require a thinner bit. This is usually unlikely when the horse is trained properly, but is common in weak riders and children, or in green horses with hot temperaments.
The mouthpiece belongs on the bars of the mouth. The bars of the mouth are the fleshy parts of the jaw where no teeth grow. A proper fitting snaffle is one where the mouthpiece extends no more than a half inch total out of the horse’s mouth. It must not pinch the lips at any time. The bit must rest in the horse’s mouth creating one or two wrinkles in the corners. Three or more wrinkles create too much pressure and may touch the molars. A bit that is two loose may irritate the horse as well but not resting in place and forcing the horse to pick up the bit himself, of which that action will cause the muscles to tense so as to hold the bit and create a paralyzing effect in free flowing forward movement. The horse needs to relax and have the bit in the correct place, so that he can focus on his tasks at hand.
The type of mouthpiece used will largely be determined by the horse’s temperament and sensitivity as well as training. A jointed bit has a ‘nut-cracker’ effect because as the reins are applied, the bit bends and puts pressure on the bars of the mouth and also the roof of the mouth. The mullen mouthpiece is a bit gentler as it does not flex so no pressure is put on the roof of the horse’s mouth. A ported bit has a curve to it and allows for tongue relief and is easier for the horse to swallow. Again no pressure is exerted on the roof of the mouth.
For more information on Tack see Rider I