Snaffle bit

Snaffle bit. Notice that is lacks a curb chain or shank.

The Basics of the Snaffle

A snaffle bit is the most common type of bit used while riding horses. A snaffle consists of a mouthpiece with a ring on either side. It differs from the pelham bit, the curb bit, and the kimberwicke in that it is a non-leverage bit, and so does not amplify the pressure applied by the reins. Unlike the other bits, one ounce of pressure applied by the reins will apply one once of pressure on the mouth.

The snaffle bit works on several parts of the horse's mouth.

• The tongue: through the mouthpiece.

• The bars: through the mouthpiece.

• The lips: through the mouthpiece.

• The side of the jaws: through the rings.

The Mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is the more important part of a snaffle, as it controls the severity of the bit. Thinner mouthpieces are more severe, as are those that are rougher.

• Jointed mouthpiece: applies pressure to the tongue, lips, and bars with a "nutcracker" action. This is the most common mouthpiece found on a snaffle.

• Mullen mouth: made of hard rubber or a half-moon of metal, it places even pressure on the mouthpiece, lips, and bars. It is a very mild mouthpiece.

• French mouth: a double-jointed mouthpiece with a bone-shaped link in the middle. It reduces the nutcracker action and encourages the horse to relax. Very mild.

• Dr. Bristol: a double-jointed mouthpiece with a flat rectangular link in the middle. Applies pressure similarly to the french link, although slightly more severe.

• Slow twist: a single-jointed mouthpiece with a slight twist in it. Stronger and more severe.

• Corkscrew: Many small edges amplifies the pressure on the mouth. Severe.

• Single- and Double-twisted wire: two of the most severe mouthpieces, as they are not only thin, but they also have a "nutcracker" action from the single joint and the mouthpiece concentrates pressure due to its severe twisting.

• Roller mouthpieces: tend to make a horse relax their mouth and activate the tongue, encouraging salivation and acceptance of the bit.

• Hollow mouth: usually single-jointed with a thick, hollow mouthpiece which spreads out the pressure and makes the bit less severe. May not fit comfortably in some horses' mouths if they are a little small.

The Snaffle Rings

There are several types of rings that affect the action of the bit.

• Loose ring: slides through the mouthpiece. Tends to make the horse relax his jaw and chew the bit. May pinch the corners of the horse's mouth if the holes in the mouthpiece are large, in which case a bit guard should be used.

• Egg butt/ barrel head: mouthpiece does not rotate, and is so more fixed in the horse's mouth, which some horses prefer. Will not pinch the lips.

• Dee-ring/ racing snaffle: ring in the shape of a "D" which does not allow the bit to rotate and so the bit is more fixed. The sides of the D provide a lateral guiding effect.

• Full cheek: has long, extended arms above and below the mouthpiece on either side of the lips of the horse, with a ring attached to it. The cheeks have a lateral guiding effect, and also prevent the bit from sliding through the mouth. The full cheek is often used with bit keepers to prevent the cheeks from getting caught on anything, although keepers make the bit more fixed and rigid in the mouth.

• Half-cheek: has only an upper or, more commonly, lower cheek, as opposed to both seen in a full cheek snaffle. Often used in racing, as there is less chance of the cheek being caught on the starting gate. Used while driving as there is less chance of getting caught on harness straps.

• Baucher (hanging cheek): has a ring on the side of the mouthpiece, with a smaller ring above to attach the cheekpiece of the bridle. Tends to concentrate pressure on the bars.

• Fulmer: a full cheek bit with a loose ring attached, so that it not only has the lateral guiding effect, but it also allows the bit to move more freely.

Fitting the Snaffle

There are at least two basic philosophies on how the snaffle should fit.

The older fitting method positions the snaffle so that there are about 1-2 wrinkles in the horse's lips (although this can vary due to the conformation of some horses' mouths). If too low, the snaffle will not work correctly, and may possibly bang on the teeth. The cheekpieces should not billow away from the side of the horse's face when pressure is applied on the reins. If this occurs, the bit is too low.

The alternate fitting method allows the horse to position the bit. The snaffle bit is fitted lower in the horse's mouth where it does not pull at his lips. This method believes it is better to have it hung low as this causes the horse to pick it up and suck on it, holding it in place. He'll then hold it in the position that is just right for him and keep his mouth closed.