Mary Allen
A snaffle connects the sensitive horse’s mouth and the rider’s hand. The rider can only give sensitive rein aids if it fits perfectly and is accepted by the horse. But the variety is so great that choosing the right mouthpiece is difficult.
Every equestrian store has a corner that looks like a hardware store. There is a wealth of bridles, double bridles, and other bits for horses. However, if you use your luck, you will not do your horse any favors. Because buying a bridle is individual for each horse. The level of training of horse and rider and the anatomical conditions of the horse’s mouth is decisive: length of the mouth gap, the position of the teeth, the tooth-free space between the incisors and molars (ark), the palate and the tongue, the distance between the upper and lower jaw and the jaw width.
A perfectly fitting bridle lies softly on the tongue and at the corners of the mouth. It encourages the horse to chew and salivate. This relaxes the tongue muscles, a prerequisite for the long chain of muscles over the poll, neck, and back to work loosely together. If the horse trustingly accepts the contact with the bit – or ideally seeks it itself – it can arch its back, but its hind legs under its center of gravity and step forward with its shoulders with a swing. An unsuitable bit in the wrong size, on the other hand, quickly leads to difficulties, which can range from tongue problems and poor mouth action to poor rideability, unwillingness, and even rebelliousness.
Single & Double
Every bridle is as soft or as hard as the rider’s hand on the reins. Due to their design and effect, a distinction is made between single and double-jointed bits and straight bits. The most common type of bit is the so-called snaffle bit, which is often used in the basic training of horses and riders. The single-jointed snaffle consists of two equally long bit parts, which are connected by a movable joint in the middle. At both ends, there are rings to which the reins are attached. This bit mainly puts pressure on the horse’s tongue and bars by guiding the reins. The best way is for the centerpiece to lie snugly on the tongue when the reins are tightened, without squeezing it.
With a double-jointed snaffle bit, the three-piece mouthpiece consists of two-bit parts and a shorter connecting piece. It is more flexible and adapts well to the horse’s mouth. Double-jointed snaffles are therefore well suited for horses with a sensitive mouth. They are more forgiving of a rider error. In contrast to the simply broken bridle, which acts as a bar when the reins are pulled on one side.
“Gag Snaffles” & “Olives”
There are different versions of the single and double-jointed snaffles, for example with side B and D rings or the so-called olive head snaffle with olive-shaped thickening at the ends of the bit parts. These protect the sensitive corners of the horse’s mouth and prevent the bridle from being pulled through the mouth.
There are bits with both freely movable and fixed snaffle rings. With the latter, the bit lies more quietly in the mouth, but it seems a bit harder due to the slight leverage effect. Further development of this is the thigh snaffles, which were also known in the past as “gagged snaffles”. Similar to the “Olive”, lateral bars prevent the bit from slipping through the horse’s mouth, they also offer lateral support. This is why these bridles are often used in training, but also for horses that have problems turning and are difficult to position with the rider’s hand.
Single or double-jointed bits with levers (jumping curbs, pelhams) appear primarily in show jumping. They can be used with one or two reins and also generate pressure on the poll due to the leverage effect and on the lower jaw due to the curb chain used for this purpose. In western sports, the broken bits with suits are known as “snaffle bits with shanks” and are often used in preparation for straight bits with suits.
Unbroken snaffles or simple bar bits without levers act mildly when both reins are pulled evenly and are a good alternative for horses who have difficulty with the more shaky connection of broken bits or have very flat jaws. However, the horse can easily put his tongue over the bar and thus escape the effect. In addition, when the reins are pulled on one side, the bit tilts, and the lifted part presses against the horse’s upper jaw.
Finally, the dressage curb is only used when the horse and rider are at a higher level of training, as it has a much sharper effect than an ordinary snaffle. The rider must be able to sit independently of the reins and the horse must not lean on the reins.
Curb Bits Only for Tests
At dressage tournaments, curb bits may only be used in demanding tests (from L level). The dressage curb consists of a bar bit with freedom of tongue and lateral levers as well as a narrow snaffle bit. The snaffle enables the horse to position and bend, the bar bridles it. A curb chain keeps the bit in position and directs the pressure from the poll and corner of the mouth to the chin and tongue. The longer the lower booms and the shorter the upper booms at the levers, the sharper the curb appears.
Most bits are made of stainless steel, an alloy of iron, chrome, and nickel. Since stainless steel only slightly stimulates the horse to salivate, alloys with copper are often used. Copper tastes sweet when oxidized, encouraging the horse to chew. Depending on the copper content, the bits shimmer light to dark golden. Most snaffle manufacturers also use special alloys and largely avoid nickel, which can trigger allergic reactions.
Bridles made of rubber, plastic, or leather are also available. Hard rubber and plastic bits are even available with apple flavor, which is supposed to encourage the horse to salivate. They should have a metal core so that they cannot be bitten through and must be checked regularly as chewing can result in sharp edges. Leather bits are soft, easy to salivate, and adapt to the horse’s mouth. With frequent use, however, they are quickly chewed through, while they become hard if not used for a long time.
All bits are available in different sizes, strengths, and lengths. The length of the bridle is measured from the corner of the mouth to the corner of the mouth. If the bit lies loosely in the mouth, it should protrude at least half a centimeter on each side. Otherwise, it pinches and can injure the corners of the mouth.
Determining the correct gauge or thickness of a bit is more difficult. While narrow bits look sharper, a thick bit in a small horse’s mouth can be even more uncomfortable. From the outside you can’t tell if a horse’s mouth has a lot or little space – and the owner has trouble judging whether his horse has a narrow or a wide tongue, a flat or high palate.