HorseSense HorseManShip: Instilling Confidence, Building Consistency, Being Compassionate and Connecting with Your Horse

Saddles For Sale

Get the Flash Player to see the slideshow.

Buckaroo Leather Products

Ad

Share this Web Site

Share |

Email Consulting with HorseSense

HorseSense HorseManShip

*Training  of all breeds Specializing in Gaited Horses.
*Experienced teaching horsemanship lessons for people of all abilities.
*Experienced horse hauling.
*Available to travel to your home.
*Workbook for young people
*Training manuals including Gaited Horses and Saddle Fit.
*Short story about Bucky, the miracle mini.
Visit HorseSense HorseManship website. Located in Central Alberta.  www.horsesensedk.com
*Training  of all breeds Specializing in Gaited Horses.
*Experienced teaching horsemanship lessons for people of all abilities.
*Experienced horse hauling.
*Available to travel to your home.
*Workbook for young people
*Training manuals including Gaited Horses and Saddle Fit.
*Short story about Bucky, the miracle mini.
Visit HorseSense HorseManship website. Located in Central Alberta.  www.horsesensedk.com

Article Content King

«  
  »

How Different Types of Snaffle Work

By HorseSense, on June 10th, 2010

Generally types of horse bits are divided into either Snaffles and Curb bits.  A somewhat simplistic division but in this article we will be looking in more detail at the different types of Snaffle and some of the more exotic features one can find on this seemingly humble bit.  Snaffles themselves cover quite a broad category of horse bits however they all exhibit a single common principle in that they allow the rider to signal his intention to the horse via direct force by the pulling of one or both reigns.

For a bit of background a snaffle is made from a bar or mouthpiece and on each side there are rings connected with different amounts of freedom to move at each end. The bit sits in the horse’s mouth resting on the gums not the teeth, in the space behind the front incisors and the molars behind sometimes refered to as the “bars”.

For this article we are going to concentrate on just some of the different types of mouthpiece that you can get with your snaffle and what function these different types have. 

The mouthpiece can take many forms but for our discussion we are going to review the following mouthpiece styles:

  • one solid piece
  • single jointed in the middle
  • double jointed in the middle
  • multi-link or chain

Solid one piece mouth-pieces may be moulded rubber and sometimes gently curved, called a Mullen.  They tend to be softer and it places even pressure on the mouthpiece, lips, and bars and works well for young horses.  However one must be cautious about describing a bit as mild as the skill of the rider has a big impact on this however all things being equal and when compared to other types this is a mild mouthpiece. 

For horses that need a little stronger signalling, the bit designers came up with the “broken” bit.  When pressure is placed on the reins, the mouthpiece breaks at a central join, forming an angle and applying a “nutcracker” effect on the horses tongue.  Also and depending on the height of the horses mouth the “point” of the broken piece may touch the roof of the mouth providing a further “signal”. The mouthpiece can still be made from softer material such as vulcanite.    Remember you are signalling not controlling. Look how the horse behaves with these bits, if it is causing discomfort such as spiking the roof of the mouth the horse may not only raise his head up and down but also poke his nose out, as sign he is trying to relieve the pain.   If you have one of these do a little test and put it on your wrist and close it like a nutcracker, then you’ll get some idea of what the horse is getting ! So learn to be subtle with your use of these bits, try not to yank hard.

Where the single jointed bit hits the mouth and causes the horse too much discomfort double jointed mouthpieces were developed, which do not “crush” the tongue quite as much .  Two very popular forms of this style of bit are French Link e.g. french mouth full cheek and the Dr Bristol style e.g. dr bristol full cheek.  The Dr Bristol style compared to the French Link has a longer link  i.e. the middle section .  The link is also angled so that when the reins are pulled and the bit is engaged , the edge of the link presses into the tongue as a fairly sharp signal. The French Link has a shorter link and is flat or angled differently so that the flat edge of the link contacts the tongue therefore being milder.

The chain style of bits often attract a little controversy on their harshness or otherise. At least in part a bit may be a problem if the rider is a problem so whether a bit is mild or harse is not specifically down to the bit.  The waterford type of snaffle such as a waterford full cheek comprises a chain of three or more interlinking pieces.  As such this chain style of bit tends to slide back and forth across the horses mouth with the “nobbly” bits of the chain giving the signal as well as the chain engaging with the sides of the mouth.  If you have a horse that “takes the bit” and runs this bit can be a good solution .  The chain style of bit because of its chain feature doesn’t offer the horse anything to fight against, it is too fluid so can work well in controlling such horses.

The effect on the horse of any bit can be drastic and so seek expert advice ensuring the bit will actually help you. 

Remember there is a balance between being too soft on the horse and not firm enough. Choosing a “soft” solution can lead to bad habbits that are then more difficult to address later on and being too harsh can cause the horse pain and discomfort and is just a bad idea in every way.

The snaffle offers a surprising amount of flexibility in its features so be sure to do your research to find the right one for you.

Related Reading:

Be Sociable, Share!
Horse Training, Training & Riding Tips
«  
  »

151 comments to How Different Types of Snaffle Work

1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
«  
  »