Snaffle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A snaffle bit is the most common type of bit used while riding horses. A snaffle consists of a mouthpiece with a ring on either side. It differs from the pelham bit, the curb bit, and the kimberwicke in that it is a non-leverage bit, and so does not amplify the pressure applied by the reins. Unlike the other bits, one ounce of pressure applied by the reins will apply one ounce of pressure on the mouth.
The snaffle bit works on several parts of the horse's mouth.
- The tongue: through the mouthpiece.
- The bars: through the mouthpiece. This is usually very slight due to the size of the horse's tongue, which tends to block the bit from putting a great deal of pressure on them.
- The lips: through the mouthpiece.
- The side of the jaws: through the rings.
Contents |
[edit] Common Mis-Uses of the "Snaffle" Name
There are many riders (and a remarkable number of tack shops that sell bits) who do not know the true definition of a snaffle: a bit that is non-leverage. This often results in a rider purchasing said "snaffle" bit, believing that it is soft and kind because of the connotation the snaffle name has with being mild. In truth, the rider may have bought a single-jointed curb bit, which is far from a true snaffle.
A snaffle is NOT categorized by the bit mouthpiece, as some riders mistake. Therefore, a single- or double-jointed mouthpiece does not make a bit a snaffle. Nor is a snaffle "any mild bit." Indeed, a snaffle can be extremely harsh when coupled with a wire or other "sharp" mouthpiece. There are many snaffles that can be extremely damaging to a horse's mouth.
A true snaffle will not have a curb chain or shank (which would make it a kimberwicke, pelham, or curb bit). Additionally, it will not be able to slide up and down the rings of the bit or cheekpieces of the bridle, as this would place it in the gag bit category.
[edit] The Mouthpiece
Main article: bit mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is the more important part of a snaffle, as it controls the severity of the bit. Thinner mouthpieces are more severe, as are those that are rougher.
- Jointed mouthpiece: applies pressure to the tongue, lips, and bars with a "nutcracker" action. This is the most common mouthpiece found on a snaffle.
- Mullen mouth: made of hard rubber or a half-moon of metal, it places even pressure on the mouthpiece, lips, and bars. It is a very mild mouthpiece.
- French mouth: a double-jointed mouthpiece with a bone-shaped link in the middle. It reduces the nutcracker action and encourages the horse to relax. Very mild.
- Dr. Bristol: a double-jointed mouthpiece with a flat rectangular link in the middle. Applies pressure similarly to the French link, although slightly more severe, because the link in the middle is angled to put the thin edge against the tongue, lips, and bar, creating a pressure point.
- Slow twist: a single-jointed mouthpiece with a slight twist in it. Stronger and more severe.
- Corkscrew: Many small edges amplifies the pressure on the mouth. Severe.
- Single- and Double-twisted wire: two of the most severe mouthpieces, as they are not only thin, but they also have a "nutcracker" action from the single joint and the mouthpiece concentrates pressure due to its severe twisting.
- Roller mouthpieces: tend to make a horse relax their mouth and activate the tongue, encouraging salivation and acceptance of the bit. Also create a distraction for tense or nervous horses.
- Hollow mouth: usually single-jointed with a thick, hollow mouthpiece which spreads out the pressure and makes the bit less severe. May not fit comfortably in some horses' mouths if they are a little small.
[edit] The Snaffle Rings
Main article: bit ring.
There are several types of rings that affect the action of the bit.
- Loose ring: slides through the mouthpiece. Tends to make the horse relax his jaw and chew the bit. May pinch the corners of the horse's mouth if the holes in the mouthpiece are large, in which case a bit guard should be used.
- Egg butt/ barrel head: mouthpiece does not rotate, and is so more fixed in the horse's mouth, which some horses prefer. Will not pinch the lips.
- Dee-ring/ racing snaffle: ring in the shape of a "D" which does not allow the bit to rotate and so the bit is more fixed. The sides of the D provide a lateral guiding effect.
- Full cheek: has long, extended arms above and below the mouthpiece on either side of the lips of the horse, with a ring attached to it. The cheeks have a lateral guiding effect, and also prevent the bit from sliding through the mouth. The full cheek is often used with bit keepers to prevent the cheeks from getting caught on anything, and keeps the bit in the right position for the correct bit action within the mouth. However, bit keepers keep the bit more fixed in the mouth than a loose ring.
- Half-cheek: has only an upper or, more commonly, lower cheek, as opposed to both seen in a full cheek snaffle. Often used in racing, as there is less chance of the cheek being caught on the starting gate. Used while driving as there is less chance of getting caught on harness straps.
- Baucher (hanging cheek): has a ring on the side of the mouthpiece, with a smaller ring above to attach the cheekpiece of the bridle. Tends to concentrate pressure on the bars. It is very fixed in the mouth.
- Fulmer: a full cheek bit with a loose ring attached, so that it not only has the lateral guiding effect, but it also allows the bit to move more freely.
[edit] Fitting the Snaffle
The most important thing to remember when fitting a bit is that no two horses are completely alike. What is preferred by one, may cause severe problems in another. It is therefore the rider's duty to find a bit that not only suits the horse (both mouthpiece and ring), but one that fits him correctly. The three main criteria in fitting the snaffle are the height the bit is raised in the mouth (adjusted by the cheekpieces), the width of the bit (from where the mouthpiece hits one ring, to where it hits the other), and the thickness of the mouthpiece.
[edit] Height of the Snaffle
Theories as to fitting the snaffle vary between horsemen. The most common theory of fitting the snaffle is placing it in the mouth so that it creates two wrinkles on the lips of the horse, and if the horse has long lips, fewer wrinkles may be present. Other riders fit the bit so there are as many as 3 or 4 wrinkles present on the lips, while some so that there is slightly one wrinkle.
One of the important criteria when fitting the snaffle is that it does not hit the horse's teeth (specifically the incisors). However, even with one slight wrinkle, the bit is usually too high to come near the incisors. Only a horse with very short lips will have a low-fitted bit come close to his incisors, in which case 3 wrinkles may be needed to keep the bit properly away from the teeth. Additionally, bits fit too high will callous the skin, damage nerves, and create a general deadening to bit pressure as the lips become calloused. Lastly, a bit fit too high on a long-lipped horse will keep constant contact on the molars of the horse, which completely ruins the theory that a high-adjusted bit keeps it off the teeth. When fit lower, many horses will be more accepting and responsive to the bit, due to their increased comfort.
An alternative theory involves adjusting the bit quite low, and allowing the horse to carry it himself in the most comfortable position.
[edit] Width of the Snaffle
The snaffle should generally allow 1/2 an inch on either side of the horse's lips. This can be tested by comfortably fitting the rider's finger on either side of the horse's bit, as he holds it in his mouth. A bit that is too narrow can cause pinching (which may be very severe in a loose ring), and the pinching may lead to problems under saddle as the horse experiences the discomfort, and will cause callousing on the lips. The lesser sin is a bit that is too wide, which does not pinch the lips but does not allow for effective communication between horse and rider.
[edit] Mouthpiece size
Many horseman believe that a fatter mouthpiece is a milder mouthpiece, because thin mouthpieces localize the pressure. However, the horse's mouth is filled almost completely by his tongue. Therefore, many horses (especially those with large, fleshy tongues) prefer a thinner mouthpiece, which provides slightly more space in an already cramped mouth. Additionally, thicker mouthpieces do not give a great deal of extra bearing surface, and so generally don't help the cause as much as many riders believe.
However, mouthpieces that are extremely thin, such as wire mouthpieces or those that are only 1/8-1/4" in thickness, are never "soft." These can be very damaging to a horse's mouth, even when used by skilled riders.
