can have several types of mouthpieces, including the straight Mullen mouth, the
double-jointed French, or the Dr. Bristol. Don't be fooled, either,
by the 'Tom Thumb snaffle,' which
is actually a curb bit."
The snaffle has both good points and bad. "The good
characteristic is it's simple. In the right hands, it
provides excellent contact with the horse's mouth and easily
communicates commands. You can really get a horse to stretch
out his neck to accept the snaffle," the Pony Club
instructor says.
Perhaps the greatest disadvantage of the snaffle is the
relative ease with which a horse can get its tongue over the
bit. The resulting discomfort causes the horse to poke out
his nose and raise his head. However, if the bit fits
properly and the horse doesn't get its tongue over it, the
snaffle is a smart choice.
"Look at dressage horses; snaffles remain the bit of
choice until the highest levels," Harris says. "The snaffle
gives you a lot of connection."
Several types of snaffles are popular, including the
round ring, D-ring, egg-butt and full-cheek models. Rings
can be large or small, though larger rings can't pull
through the horse's mouth, as small ones can; egg-butt
snaffles prevent the bit from pinching at the corners of the
mouth; the full-cheek snaffle has two advantages: It presses
on the side of the mouth when you ask the horse to turn, and
it can't pull through the mouth.
"Use a keeper on the full-cheek snaffle. Otherwise it can
catch on things if your horse tries to rub," Harris warns.
“I know someone who didn't, and her shirt was ripped when
her horse rubbed and caught the top of the cheekpiece on the
fabric."
When choosing a snaffle, consider the width of the
mouthpiece. "The wider the mouthpiece, the easier the bit,"
Harris says. Envision luggage handles. "Think how much
easier it is to carry a heavy suitcase with a wide handle
instead of one with a wire handle."
Mouthpieces are generally made of stainless steel, but
can be rubber or plastic-covered. Harris frowns on twisted
wire bits. "They can be very, very severe and should only be
used by skilled professionals." She also advises
emphatically against snaffle bits with a running martingale.
"You can really create an overbent horse," she notes. "The
martingale totally changes the direction of the pull of the
snaffle and gives you false contact. Definitely don't use a
martingale and snaffle unless you have rein stops."
Every year, have a dental expert check your horse's teeth, Harris
advises. "Ask him to use a bit-seat file, which leaves a comfortable place
for the bit."
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