A quality snaffle bit is an indispensable tool for horse training, valued for its versatility and effectiveness in communicating with a horse. Whether starting young horses or refining the skills of experienced mounts, the snaffle bit plays a crucial role in many riding disciplines. This guide explores the philosophy behind snaffle bit use, proper application, and highlights four effective snaffles from a seasoned professional’s tack room.
Snaffle Bit Fundamentals and Best Practices
Proper use of a snaffle bit is paramount for both the safety of the horse and rider, and for achieving optimal training responses. Adhering to a few key principles ensures the bit functions as intended.
Utilize a Browband Headstall: To maintain the correct positioning of the snaffle, a browband headstall is essential. Unlike one-ear or slit-ear styles, the browband headstall, when adjusted with a proper throatlatch, keeps the headgear secure. This ensures that when the reins are engaged, the snaffle remains in its intended position for effective communication. The browband headstall should allow for some give when pressure is applied to the reins.
Optimal Adjustment is Key: The snaffle should not be excessively tight in the horse’s mouth. An ideal fit allows the bit to just touch the corners of the mouth, enabling it to slide freely across the bars of the mouth. This looseness is crucial for the bit’s sliding action and responsiveness.
Connection Matters: Loop-to-loop connections are often preferred for their simplicity and reduced risk of pinching. While other connections exist, such as three-piece designs with an intermediary flat metal piece, the loop-to-loop offers a more traditional and less constrictive fit. Hinge mouthpieces, while popular, may lack the balance of a symmetrical connection.
Curb Strap Omission: Snaffle bits, by their nature, do not require a curb strap or chain. A curb strap should only be considered if there’s a tendency for the snaffle rings to be pulled through the horse’s mouth. If a curb strap is used, it should be made of leather and adjusted loosely in front of the reins, ensuring no direct contact with the horse’s jaw when reins are applied. Its sole purpose is to stabilize the bit rings.
Tie-On Reins are Recommended: Reins that attach to the snaffle rings via leather ties or a leather connector are strongly encouraged. Metal snaps can be prone to wear, rust, and breakage, posing a potential safety hazard.
The Art of the Smooth Pull: Horses do not instinctively possess light mouths; this sensitivity is developed through training. When riding in a snaffle, employ a smooth, consistent rein pressure, applying only as much force as is necessary to elicit the desired response.
Understanding Snaffle’s Role in Training Progression: The snaffle bit has a rich history, particularly in European riding traditions where some horses remain in snaffles throughout their careers. In Western riding, the snaffle is typically introduced early in a colt’s training to teach him to follow his nose. Subsequently, training may progress to a hackamore or curb bit. The snaffle often serves as a valuable tool for fine-tuning a horse’s responsiveness or returning to foundational training principles.
Expert Snaffle Bit Selections
The following snaffle bits are favored for their unique attributes and effectiveness in specific training scenarios. The ability to revert to a simple, smooth snaffle is always important.
Don Hansen Snaffle (Denny Hansen): This loose-ring snaffle features a hardened copper mouthpiece. Copper encourages salivation, which aids in bit acceptance, and the hardened metal prevents the horse from chewing through it. The lightweight rings are designed to minimize pinching in the horse’s mouth.
Fishback Snaffle (Dale Tingle): With its heavier rings, this bit offers a more substantial feel. The triangular “fishback” mouthpiece provides a slightly more assertive contact, prompting a quicker response. It is particularly useful for horses that tend to lean on the bit, helping to lighten them.
Don Dodge Snaffle (Greg Darnell): Based on a full-cheek snaffle design, this bit incorporates an egg-butt-style connection. The flat side of the cheekpiece exerts a greater influence on the side opposite the rein’s pull, preventing the ring from entering the horse’s mouth. When crafted correctly, this connection avoids pinching the horse’s mouth or cheek.
D-Ring Snaffle with Twisted Mouthpiece: This D-ring snaffle features a twisted mouthpiece. It’s important to note that neither this snaffle nor the Fishback are typically permitted in competitive show pens, though many breed associations allow specific types of snaffles for junior horses. The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), for instance, permits O-ring, eggbutt, or D-ring snaffles with specific mouthpiece shapes and bar thicknesses. Similar to the Fishback, the twisted mouthpiece can help a horse become more responsive to rein aids. This type of bit is intended for occasional use to encourage responsiveness, rather than as a primary training bit.
Al Dunning, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a renowned horse trainer with over 40 years of experience producing world champion horses and riders across various disciplines. He has authored numerous books, produced instructional DVDs, and offers an online mentoring program, Team AD International.
