what snaffle should I use?

M

MB1201

Active Member
Joined
16 February 2015
Messages
38
Visit site
I currently ride my fell pony in a Wilkie bit but for the competitions I'd like to do you need to have a snaffle, which snaffle would you recommend for a pony that goes nicely in a Wilkie, she doesn't have a really soft mouth but is not hard to stop either. In some bits she tosses her head a little but goes fine in a Wilkie. Any recommendations ?
 
Try her in a loose ring with the same mouthpiece (same joint, thickness), and work on your schooling in it before you go competing. Have you an instructor helping you?
 
MB1201 said:
I currently ride my fell pony in a Wilkie bit but for the competitions I'd like to do you need to have a snaffle, which snaffle would you recommend for a pony that goes nicely in a Wilkie, she doesn't have a really soft mouth but is not hard to stop either. In some bits she tosses her head a little but goes fine in a Wilkie. Any recommendations ?
Click to expand...
You may find that the head tossing is due to the 'nutcracker' action of the snaffle. I won't use a snaffle on any of my horses, they all have a loose ring French link, which I find to be much kinder.
 
Oswestry Horse said:
You may find that the head tossing is due to the 'nutcracker' action of the snaffle. I won't use a snaffle on any of my horses, they all have a loose ring French link, which I find to be much kinder.
Click to expand...

Sorry, my pet hate: people misusing the term snaffle to refer to a single jointed mouthpiece! A snaffle is any single rein bit that attached directly to the cheek pieces.
OP, you haven't mentioned what mouthpiece you are currently using so as a starter I would pick the same and then consider what cheek secondarily. Have you considered a full cheek with keepers?
 
abbijay said:
Sorry, my pet hate: people misusing the term snaffle to refer to a single jointed mouthpiece! A snaffle is any single rein bit that attached directly to the cheek pieces.
OP, you haven't mentioned what mouthpiece you are currently using so as a starter I would pick the same and then consider what cheek secondarily. Have you considered a full cheek with keepers?
Click to expand...

The word snaffle is actually derived from a root that means "to pinch". There are plenty of single rein bits attaching to the cheek pieces that are not snaffles. Pedantic, but true........
 
No problem with pedantic... but not sure about true? Whilst we're hijacking poor OP's post with etymology.. UK Dictionaries suggest the word snaffle is derived from the mid 16th Century low German or dutch word Snavel which means beak or mouth; or snabel meaning snout, same root. I can't find a reference to pinch, as in to nip or squeeze, anywhere.

"To Snaffle" (verb) as in to steal or take for one's self without permission has a different root - it has nothing to do with bitting a horse but I suppose could be equally defined as "to pinch" meaning to steal, or to rob, purloin, thieve or take. But nothing to do with the bit I'm afraid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top