Are snaffle bits always best?

[EternalVetBills]

Hi guys,

Whilst sitting and watching some show jumping on TV today I got wondering; are snaffle bits always best?
So let me just start by saying that a snaffle would always be my go to with any horse, in no way am I one of those people that just bung whatever kit I think I need on my horse. However, watching a particular round I did think the horse needed a stronger bit, at first I thought how lovely it was to see a show jumper that wasn't covered in gadgets (cavesson, snaffle and no martingale), but the rider spent the whole time yanking the horse in the mouth and the horse went round with his mouth wide open. Surely this must have been painful? Now obviously I don't know how the horse was riding as I wasn't the one riding it and the horse could have been having a bad day or was feeling very fresh?
So what do you guys think; snaffle always best? Or is it sometimes better to use a slightly stronger bit?

ETA: he wasn't just pulling on the reins, as I have seen many show jumpers with a contact that is slightly on the strong side, his hands were near enough to the end of the rubber on the reins and were pulled back near his shoulders?!

 

[Peter7917]

I'm going to get soooo much stick!!

I absolutely do not think the snaffle is always the best option. Nor do I have any problem with flash nosebands, martingales or whatever.

My horse is ridden in a snaffle but he does have a flash. He spends 23 hours of his day chilling in the field. For that one hour that he has to work I want a chilled out ride where if something spooks him he can't use that as an excuse to open his trap and bog off. A flash strap on for one hour of his day will not kill him.

Similarly I had a mare some years ago who as a general rule could be ridden in a snaffle, however in an exciting situation it would take a while and a good pull to stop her. She was ridden in a Tom Thumb instead which meant I didn't have to pull, I only needed to ask nicely.

I would rather see a horse with a stronger bit and a rider being able to just ask quietly than I would a horse in a snaffle with a rider having to yank it's poor head off to stop.

 

[albeg]

I would rather see a horse with a stronger bit and a rider being able to just ask quietly than I would a horse in a snaffle with a rider having to yank it's poor head off to stop.

I agree with this. Sure, it's lovely to see a horse with no gadgets, but if you've to pull the head off them it sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

 

[highlandponygirl]

IMO the bit you chose should be what suits your horse. I regularly rode a quiet saint of a horse in a Dutch gag because that worked best for her. Snaffles might seem like the kinder, softer bit, but with hard yanking hands at the end of them can be more damaging than a 'stronger' bit with softer hands.

 

[Abi90]

Mine is in a snaffle but with a flash for jumping and cross country. Without it he opens his mouth and bogs off post jump. We're working on his schooling but for the time being it seems a much nicer option than hauling on his mouth.

 

[nianya]

I aim for the gentlest bit that works for the horse in the circumstances.

I had a mare who'd been pretty badly abused and was terribly clever about getting away from bits (martingales, tiedowns, you name it). I finally started riding her in a jointed pelham and she was much better. I eventually worked her down to a simple snaffle *in the arena only*. Until the end of her life she could only be ridden on the trail in the pelham, which also meant I didn't let anyone else ride her if they didn't know how to use a shanked bit.

On the other hand, I have an arab who needs only the lightest touch to stop and the gentlest bit I could find. And another one who rides best in a bitless bridle as his conformation seemed to cause problems using any bit. I also really hate seeing a horse yanked around and I can only imagine that's far more painful for them then it is to have a slightly stronger bit and a lighter touch.

 

[mytwofriends]

I've always had the same opinion as others who've replied - clearly a snaffle and no gadgets would be great in a perfect world, but what advantage to the horse is there if the rider is constantly hauling and fighting?

My late boy was the perfect example. 90% of the time he'd bumble along happily and I would have been able to ride in a headcollar in theory. But the other 10% of the time he was a monkey.

I'd ride him in a gag, flash (not tight) and a martingale as a contingency. I hardly ever needed to "use" them, but they were there if needed.

 

[pennandh]

A simple snaffle is fab on a horse that goes well in it, but it's not always the most appropriate bitting choice. Certainly wouldn't take Mr H out to do something exciting in his usual schooling snaffle - he has a pelham for anything that involves cantering in large groups in open spaces, and it avoids having to use excessive force to pull him up.

Also, to be honest, some snaffles (notably those like the three-ring snaffle or 'Dutch Gag') are not what I would call mild bits. They absolutely have their place, but just being a snaffle doesn't inherently make something gentle.

Long story short, you bit for the horse and the situation; use whatever allows you to communicate effectively without hauling, and don't ride a horse that requires a two-rein bit (eg. a pelham or a gag) if you can't ride with two reins (always best to practice under supervision on something sensible until you've got the hang of it).

 

[Annagain]

The best bit is the one that suits your horse best. Mine has 3 for different things and they couldn't be more different. The one thing they have in common is he's totally happy and manageable in all 3. I tried many others - some stronger, some milder and he told me in no uncertain terms that he didn't like them.

 

[Wagtail]

A plain single jointed snaffle will never go near my horse's mouth. I don't mind the single joints if they are shaped like this one (demi anky)

as they are great for horses that don't like a lozenge or French link, but the ordinary single jointed snaffles (loose ring or eggbutt) like this one, especially if combined with a flash noseband are pretty much a torture device IMO.

 

[Roxylola]

I always jumped my boy in a dutch gag - he would grab hold in a snaffle, bear down on it and generally p*** about. In the gag I had total control with my seat and he never argued with it, light as a feather contact and never a thought about bombing off etc

 

[Kaylum]

Bitting has come on so much over the past few years, all equines mouths are different shapes, sizes and they have different needs so saying snaffle mouth doesn't mean anything to be honest as snaffles are a type of bit not a specific one. We put so much time, money and effort into saddles and fitting but bitting is a much neglected subject that goes with how we look at mouths and dentistry. One bit type does not suit all horses.

 

[GirlFriday]

No bit is always best!

But not always safe/achievable.

Basically though any bit is a means of delivering either a message (which can easily be done by other means: seat, legs, weight, voice, neck reining, visual cues, whatever) or discomfort. A flash strap is simply a way of ensuring that the horse cannot avoid the discomfort you wish to give to discourage/encourage particular behaviours.

Clean up any bit you like, pop it in your mouth and think it through!

 

[rachk89]

Just go with what works with the horse. Some don't like snaffles or have no respect for the rider with one.

My horse currently has a snaffle with a lozenge and i am starting to wonder if he no longer likes it. He goes around with his mouth open now at times even with a loose contact and he is usually chewing it and shaking his head a lot at the end of a session. These are generally signs that his teeth need done but they were done a few months ago and they barely needed anything then.

I do often think too that maybe I need him in something stronger especially when jumping but then he can go round lovely for some people so I am also thinking "well if they can manage I should be able to as well".

 

[Llee94]

I have no problem with stronger bits/gadgets. Like others have said when used correctly they are fine. I always ride my horses in a martingale/breastplate even if they don't 'need it' as you never know they may change their mind and I would rather it was there and not need it than wishing I had put it on. My mare is ridden in what looks like a torture device (although it is technically a 'snaffle' apparently!) but it allows me to be soft in the hand rather than having to fight her and we can both get on with the job and have fun.

 

[Pigeon]

You are still exerting the same, if not more, pressure with a 'gentle' 'featherlight' contact in a leverage bit as you are with a good old yank on the snaffle... that's kinda how they work....

It looks prettier I guess, and you may not have to do it so often, but maybe ask yourself why that is - if it was as gentle as the snaffle the horse would keep pulling.

There's probably an equation out there that works out how many mm of shank = how much extra force.

 

[LadySam]

Mine is in a snaffle but with a flash for jumping and cross country. Without it he opens his mouth and bogs off post jump. We're working on his schooling but for the time being it seems a much nicer option than hauling on his mouth.

For me, this is the best attitude to have. As much as I question the widespread use of flashes, and believe that stronger bits are often used in lieu of good schooling and riding, I 100% accept that sometimes they are absolutely necessary and appropriate. I would like to see more continued schooling in order to deal with contact acceptance issues so that the source of the problem is dealt with rather than being forever masked with a gadget, but as everyone else has said, you bit for what the horse likes and goes well in. As Peter said above

I would rather see a horse with a stronger bit and a rider being able to just ask quietly than I would a horse in a snaffle with a rider having to yank it's poor head off to stop.

 

[Llee94]

I would like to see more continued schooling in order to deal with contact acceptance issues so that the source of the problem is dealt with rather than being forever masked with a gadge

But it isn't always a schooling issue. My mare wears her bit because she loves her job and gets so excited and just wants to jump. No amount of schooling is going to change her attitude towards her enthusiasm to work - i have been trying for nearly 10 years! She originally started in a snaffle and has progressed onto what she is in now because the more she has done, the more she enjoys it, and therefore the keener she gets.

 

[LadySam]

But it isn't always a schooling issue...

Yeah, I get that! This is why I said I also 100% accept that sometimes the stronger bits are completely appropriate and you should do what really works well for the horse. You clearly are, as would most people on this thread, I imagine.

I'm thinking more of the types of people described in the "Which discipline has the worst riding" thread, and the people who use stronger bits and equipment without really thinking, or without the experience to be making that decision. If you've given it some proper thought, made an informed decision and have some experience to back up your thinking about bits, how they work and what they do, then chances are you're in the 100% appropriate camp.

 

[Damnation]

I am a huge believer in if the bit suits your horse then who cares what it is.

If you are in control with a nice light contact with a horse who is happy and comfortable then I am really not bothered what they get ridden in.

However, I do believe that education is imperative. A rider has to understand what they are putting in their horses mouth and the type of action it will have on the horse.

 

[Wagtail]

There are times when even the best riders will be caught off balance. A sharp spook, stumble, or run out at a fence and then the type of bit will make a huge difference to how much pain they inflict on the horse's mouth.

 

[Casey76]

I've tried "nicer" French link and lozenge link bits... my mare is quite clear that she prefers a stainless steel loose ring single jointed snaffle.

The photo of the horse earlier on - whatever Myler say, the combo bit is a gag (though the amount of gag is small), and it is also a leverage bit. Snaffles have the rein at the same level as the cannons, leverage bits have the rein attachment fixed below the cannons (hence a Myler with hooks is considered a leverage bit), and gag is the amount of "slip" the bit gives before it hits the stopper. Most gag bits send very confusing signals to the horse. The lever says "lower your head" the gag says "raise your head."

Yhe so called Dutch gags -pessoa or bubble bits (which scarily enough are used a lot by children) can be very nasty bits indeed, especially when used with one rein.

 

[pennandh]

You are still exerting the same, if not more, pressure with a 'gentle' 'featherlight' contact in a leverage bit as you are with a good old yank on the snaffle... that's kinda how they work....

It looks prettier I guess, and you may not have to do it so often, but maybe ask yourself why that is - if it was as gentle as the snaffle the horse would keep pulling.

There's probably an equation out there that works out how many mm of shank = how much extra force.

Curb and gag bits work by utilising multiple pressure points instead of just the mouth. Yes, there is some amplification of rein tension in terms of poll pressure, but it isn't nearly as much as a lot of people think because the horse's mouth is not a fixed fulcrum for the bit.

If I put, say, 2kg of force onto the curb reins of a pelham with twice as much shank below the mouthpiece as above, I'm going to produce some pressure on the mouth; some on the curb groove; and some on the poll. If the bit had a fixed fulcrum, that pressure would be about 4kg, but in reality the poll relief effect means it's less than that. In the same situation, I might have to apply 10kg of force to pull the horse up in a snaffle, all of which will go onto the tongue and lips. So I bit with the pelham because I can be gentler with it.

Of course, if I was on a horse that I can pull up using 2kg of force on the snaffle, I'd use the snaffle. It's all about working out what your horse responds to best.

 

[Peter7917]

However, I do believe that education is imperative. A rider has to understand what they are putting in their horses mouth and the type of action it will have on the horse.

That's one thing I've always found so odd about the horse world.

If you go out to Asda and buy, say, some shampoo. It will tell you on the bottle how much shampoo to use, how to use it, what sort of hair it is best used on etc.

You order a bit online and it will just come as it is. No instruction, no guidance whatsoever.

 

[Damnation]

That's one thing I've always found so odd about the horse world.

If you go out to Asda and buy, say, some shampoo. It will tell you on the bottle how much shampoo to use, how to use it, what sort of hair it is best used on etc.

You order a bit online and it will just come as it is. No instruction, no guidance whatsoever.

You see I would wonder why you would buy a bit without researching the action of it.

The horse bit bank for example has some good comprehensive articles from measuring your horse's mouth to the type of action of various bits. Although their assessment of the hanging cheek/baucher cheekpiece is now out of date as it has been proven this bit does not exert poll pressure.

I do think if you want to find out how a bit actually works there is matierial online that wil help you.

http://horsebitbank.com/articles.html

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/hanging-cheek-snaffle-relieves-poll-pressure-599602

 

[DanceswithCows]

I don't like single jointed snaffles one bit (ha) and think they have an undeserved reputation for being mild. I'd rarely (if ever) use one.

 

[Fiona]

My Welsh cob was a wee monster when I got him at 5, he had learned that he was stronger than humans both when riding and leading..

We didn't have a school and did most of our hacking in the local forest jumping logs so I needed to be safe.

For the first year I rode him in a rubber Cheltenham gag, then downgraded to a Pelham, then downgraded to a snaffle except for hunting.

The two horses we have now are happy in snaffles so that's what we use, and the pony is a saint, she could be ridden in a headcollar lol... but is in a snaffle too..

Fiona

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I have three different bridles for my horse, because he has different bits/nosebands for different types of work. I started him off in a large mouthpiece, loose ring snaffle and changed this as and when required; I would like to think that I have made appropriate and carefully considered decisions.

1) Waterford rounded mouthpiece snaffle (controversial I know!) with cavesson for schooling, because he doesn't have a huge amount of space in his mouth and likes the flexibility. He does have a tendency to lean when he doesn't want to work properly and for now, this is the best option.

2) Short shank, straight bar pelham, used with double reins always and cavesson, for showing and really high pressure things like hunting, double rein is useful but he doesn't need a huge amount of leverage, respects this bit.

3) Copper Hartford swivel ring bit with a kineton for hacking, I really like this noseband but wouldn't want to exert the amount of pressure possible when he gets really excited in things like the above activities, primarily on his nasal bone. The bit has very mild leverage, and lays flat again his face to help with turning and keeping him looking straight and concentrating on me.

 

[tallyho!]

I've a rather large bit box full of allsorts of expensive promise the world types...

I actually only use a plain single snaffle now. Best bit ever invented imo... you just have to know how it works. It might help to tell the horse too.