| The horse bit is a key component for the rider when | | | | The severity of the action of the mouthpiece can be |
| controlling his or her horse. Literally dozens if not | | | | modified by using twisted pieces and different metals |
| hundreds of different types of horse bit can be | | | | such as copper. The effect on the horse can be |
| purchased, so needless to say it can be confusing | | | | significant but as ever always be very mindful of the |
| identifying what you actually need for your horse. | | | | welfare of your horse and seek expert advice to |
| In order to understand the different horse bit type they | | | | ensure the problem you are trying to solve requires |
| are broken down into different categories, based on | | | | such a bit. There is always a balance between going |
| the features they have and how that applies to the | | | | too soft and not being able to control the horse at all |
| control of the horse. Within those categories you will | | | | and being too harsh and causing the horse pain and |
| then find sub categories where the action of the bit is | | | | discomfort. |
| further modified or enhanced by extra attributes such | | | | The rings on the Snaffle are how the mouthpiece |
| as the material the bit is made from. | | | | connects to the reins. They do however come in |
| At the highest level of category we see Snaffles and | | | | different forms with each type giving subtle effects, |
| Curb bits. The term Snaffle identifies a broad category | | | | which together with the mouthpiece provide |
| of horse bits which exhibit a single common principle, in | | | | appropriate control to your horse. |
| that they allow control of the horse via direct force | | | | Loose ring snaffles are where the rings connected to |
| from the rider by the pulling of one or both reigns. | | | | the mouthpiece are free to rotate and as such tend to |
| Physically a snaffle bit comprises a straight bar or | | | | prevent the horse from fighting against the bit, and |
| mouthpiece with rings connected to each end. The bit | | | | encourages the horse to chew and eventually relax. |
| goes into the horse's mouth, resting on the gums not | | | | One down side however is that the bit can be pulled |
| the teeth in the space behind the front incisors and the | | | | through the mouth because of this flexibility. |
| molars behind. This space is sometimes termed the | | | | Fixed ring snaffles such as D-ring snaffle has "D" |
| "bars". The two main features of the Snaffle namely | | | | shaped rings rather than "O" shaped and the straight |
| the mouthpiece and rings both bring different aspects | | | | part of the "D" functions to help prevent the bit being |
| to the function of the bit. | | | | pulled through the mouth, i.e. it forms a brace against |
| The mouthpiece can be in one solid piece or it may be | | | | the side of the mouth in both directions. |
| "broken" or jointed in the middle. Solid mouthpieces | | | | This effect can be further enforced by using a full |
| often come made in moulded rubber or vulcanite, are | | | | cheek snaffle bit where there is a vertical piece of |
| kind and used for young horses where they are being | | | | metal on each end of the mouthpiece as well as the |
| trained to respond to the bit. | | | | ring. This piece provides a much longer vertical surface |
| The jointed bit results in the mouthpiece breaking when | | | | compared to the D bit and often to help it stay in the |
| the reins are pulled and inducing a "nutcracker" effect | | | | vertical position "keepers" are used to hold it in place. |
| on the horses tongue which provides the control. The | | | | Not only do full cheek bits prevent pull through of bit |
| joint can be a single break or it can be two breaks | | | | they can provide a mild leverage effect. |
| resulting in the mouthpiece forming a "U" shaped | | | | This is just a brief introduction to the features of |
| instead of a "V" shape. This gives the horse's tongue | | | | snaffle bits, and as you can see by careful |
| more room and can also be kinder on the roof of the | | | | understanding of your horse's behaviour and how to |
| mouth. | | | | control him you can find a snaffle to suit your needs. |