How many ride in a "snaffle"?

Lolo said:
So many TYPES of snaffles... Ellie went in a waterford snaffle (that is a pretty serious stopping bit, as she was like a rocket XC/ SJ.) My old horse went in a copper roller (yeah, that's also pretty strong for stopping...).

Reg is in a happy mouth french link loose ring snaffle. He is in a snaffle in the sense that you could say he's 'snaffle mouthed'.
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Thank goodness someone who understands that the term "snaffle" covers a multitude of bits, including some which are frankly the Devil's work (like the Dr Bristol, one of the nastiest bits ever invented).

A "simple, jointed snaffle" is a bit which I will never use - nasty action, irregular in the mouth ... I could go on ... :(

Most of mine go in a variety of snaffle bits (different mouthpieces, cheeks, materials etc) apart from in the showring, with the exception of my 12.2 who is in a globe pelham which suits him far better than a snaffle of any variety, and means my son can control him easily without resorting to yanking.

I have seen a lot of horses (particularly hunters :rolleyes:) advertised as being "snaffle-mouthed" - which they are if you don't mind being swept along by the tide and you never want to stop unless everyone else does;)

Bit your horse to suit it's level of training, conformation, discipline, the rider's ability :)
 
big girl is in a loose ring french link, orange boy was started in a copper roller but he's now in a rubber kimblewick which he seems happier in. both ponies in eggbutt snaffles:)
 
"like" what Rowreach said.

All this misunderstanding of bits frustrates me. A Dr bristol is a very different animal to a French Link........ And many brag that their horse is in a snaffle when it is in a slotted myler with a curb that is effectively a kimblewick.

If the horse is happy, the bit is used correctly, the rider understands the action and it is legal for the sport competed in who cares whether it is a snaffle or not. I'd rather see a happy horse in a pelham responding well than one arguing and fighting that is uncomfortable in a single jointed snaffle for the sake of saying it is snaffle mouthed or due to ignorance.
 
Pelham for me unless doing dressage, where he has a straight bar rubber snaffle - near identical to the pelham minus the curb and double reins. He really is not a happy chappy with anything else and I've tried alot over 7 years! x
 
Both of mine are ridden in a plain jointed snaffle and cavesson nosebands for hacking schooling and jumping and crosscountry. Ice only has a pelham in for coloured ridden classes as its correct for that class.
 
Yep, ex racer is in an eggbutt snaffle for everything (although I haven't hunted in it yet)

It's funny how he is easier to pull up after a gallop than my friends eventers in their gags.
 
So far I haven't ridden any horse I've had in anything except a loose-ring, eggbutt or Tom Thumb full-cheek French link for years and years. But all mine have been sharp and sensitive TB youngsters I've backed and brought on or older TB broodmares being brough back into work.
 
Rowreach said:
Thank goodness someone who understands that the term "snaffle" covers a multitude of bits, including some which are frankly the Devil's work (like the Dr Bristol, one of the nastiest bits ever invented).

A "simple, jointed snaffle" is a bit which I will never use - nasty action, irregular in the mouth ... I could go on ... :(

Most of mine go in a variety of snaffle bits (different mouthpieces, cheeks, materials etc) apart from in the showring, with the exception of my 12.2 who is in a globe pelham which suits him far better than a snaffle of any variety, and means my son can control him easily without resorting to yanking.

I have seen a lot of horses (particularly hunters :rolleyes:) advertised as being "snaffle-mouthed" - which they are if you don't mind being swept along by the tide and you never want to stop unless everyone else does;)

Bit your horse to suit it's level of training, conformation, discipline, the rider's ability :)
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Like

Mine is in a french link snaffle alhough for hacking she's in a kimblewick.
 
Mines in a single-jointed loose ring snaffle for hacking/flatwork but in a cheltenham gag for jumping as she likes to go with her head on the floor, however hoping that eventually she might be able to go in the snaffle .. if she learns to respect those coloured poles :rolleyes: so much better XC.
I don't ride with a martingale or flash though.
 
Mine depends on the day.. When he is really calm he gets put in an eggbut snaffle, otherwise he is always put in a waterford snaffle except for jumping when he has a Pelham with roundings.
 
It's Taken 7 months but I finally have my lad out of his pelham for jumping and in a french link loose ring snaffle for everything. :)

I'm so proud of him.
 
I've just swapped mine from a loose ring jointed snaffle to an eggbut French link as the snapping motion of the jointed made her throw her head up (all checks done) and so far the French link is a hit! When I tried her she was ridden in a jointed gag which was really unnecessary so I swapped her to the snaffle straight away. Am also considering losing the flash!
 
Rowreach said:
A "simple, jointed snaffle" is a bit which I will never use - nasty action, irregular in the mouth ... I could go on ... :(
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LMAO - I would never have chosen to use a single jointed snaffle, but having worked through various lozenge/french link/mylers etc... all of which my mare would put her tongue over, I went back to a plain single jointed snaffle, which she goes beautifully in without putting her tongue over the bit. I could have clamped her jaw shut by changing my noseband from a plain cavesson, but instead found a bit SHE was happy with even if it wouldn't be MY 1st choice.

So go on all you like, but my mare ain't listening :)
 
I usually ride him in a full cheek Waterford for mist things but struggle with breaks out hacking sometimes so we do have a gag. When we did dressage he has a French link hanging cheek but I find he accepts the Waterford so much more that I try to stick with it.
 
Old mare was in a Dr Bristol for SJing and XCing because she had a serious, serious lack of brakes but it was the only bit she didn't back off and still carried me whilst being controllable. For schooling and hacking she was in a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge.

My loan ex-racer is in loose ring french link snaffle for everything, hunts, XC, SJing, pop on a flash for 'exciting' work as he tries to get tongue over bit but otherwise in a cavesson :)
 
Yup, we started off (when he was on loan) with a KK loose ring French link, then moved to a bog standard loose ring French link, then moved to a egg butt French link with cheeks and we are currently sporting a Myler 02 low port snaffle. Still not sure we're 100% happy in that but better than before.
 
Yes I do.

Currently in a Myler snaffle, not sure it's 100% working for us though. Previously tried a hanging cheek snaffle, which weren't for us.

Only hacked the odd time and he get's very strong. Had him in a gag (recommended by his previous owner) but still had minimal brakes.

Tried him in a pelham also which he didn't take to at all.

I'll always stick with a snaffle for schooling etc, when possible.

Any advice for a snaffle bit would be appreciated. He's strong at times, leans and can be quite evasive. Teeth, back, tack have been checked and are fine.
 
Me, another KK Ultra, loose ring fan. And a plain caveson noseband too. We did use a flash and a French link at one point, but he is well setteld in this combo now--for the last 7 years.
 
I ride my big warmblood in a NS verbindend for everything except jumping. He goes wonderfully in it. It is a great bit for warmbloods with fat tongues. I have him in a myler with rein slots for jumping, just gives me better breaks and a bit more excited bucking stopping power.
Used to ride my OTTB in Tom thumb gag, normally on the normal ring but used to have to drop down a ring in winter. He would go in a snaffle in the school but my arms would be a dead weight by the end bless him.
 
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