When you think of a horse bit, most people will think of the type of bit with a straight mouthpiece and two rings on either side. While that is the most rudimentary explanation of what it is, that exact description fits the snaffle bit. But what exactly is a snaffle bit, and why is it such an important tool in your tack? Learn more about horse bits.

What is a Snaffle Bit?

The snaffle bit is one of the most common horse bits used by riders of all levels. It’s made up of a mouthpiece with rings on either side and can be either jointed or straight in the middle. The reins connect to the rings, and the bit works through direct pressure with the horse’s mouth to communicate aids. They’re typically more gentle than other bits, making them a versatile option for riders of all levels.

Types of Snaffle Bits for Horses

Snaffle bits are extremely versatile; they can fit a variety of horse breeds, mouth sensitivity, and temperament. Another reason why they are so popular! Here are some examples of the many different styles available:

Loose Ring Snaffles

Loose ring snaffle bits are among the most popular horse bits. They get their name from the metal ring on the cheeks, which allows the mouthpiece to move freely around the ring rather than being in a fixed position like most other bit types. Loose ring snaffles are often used for horses that are sensitive to bits in their mouth and like the ability to position the bit where they feel most comfortable.

Eggbutt Snaffles

Eggbutt snaffle bits are one of the most traditionally used styles of bits in English riding. They get their name from the cheekpiece with a slightly oblong shape and a fixed mouthpiece. With the wide-hinged attachment, you avoid the pinching at your horse's lips as you can get with some other snaffle bits. It also allows a more spread-out type of pressure when the rider pulls on the reins and is more stable due to the fixed position, which many horses might find more comfortable and less abrasive.

D-Ring Snaffles

Named so for the D-shaped cheekpiece, the D-ring snaffle bit is most commonly seen in the hunter ring. Western circuit riders can use the Western D-ring snaffle bit for Hunter Under Saddle classes. The D-ring snaffle bit allows for more lateral control when turning and steering without being harsh on your horse's mouth.

Full Cheek Snaffles

Full cheek snaffle bits have fixed cheekpieces with two long shafts connecting to the center ring. When the reins are pulled or pressure applied, the full cheek snaffle bit puts pressure across the sides of the horse's mouth, which gives excellent lateral control and aids in steering. The mouthpiece options come in a wide variety: single joint, slow twist/square twist, sweet iron, copper inlay, or copper roller. Full cheek snaffles are popular for young horses and novice riders because the bit sits more steadily in the horse's mouth. This is beneficial for less experienced riders to have a proper feel or contact and also great for young horses learning to accept the bit.

French Link Snaffles

French link snaffle bits are one of the more popular bits for English riders. They are double-jointed snaffle bits with a short flat link at the center of the mouthpiece. This piece lays flat along the horse's tongue and allows the entire mouthpiece to fit better into the natural shape of the horse's mouth while applying pressure to the tongue. Do note these bets are not permitted in FEI-level dressage or dressage tests for eventing.

Twisted Snaffles

For horses that have a hard mouth or need more encouragement due to their tendency to pull or get strong, the Twisted snaffle bits is ideal. These snaffle bits are used for both English and Western disciplines. There are three types of twisted snaffle bits: single joint twisted snaffle bit, single twisted wire snaffle, and the slow twist/square twist bit. These bits are also popular among hunter-riders. Your horse will stay light in hand yet come back to you between jumps when you need them to be adjustable at a moment's notice. They also offer more control for horses that need a bit more correction.

Copper Snaffles

Copper snaffle bits are great for horses that tend to evade the bit, fight in hand, get behind the bit, or lack suppleness through the pole or jaw. Copper snaffles taste sweet to the horse, increasing saliva and creating a better environment in the horses mouth. They will accept the bit faster and relax quicker due to its sweet nature. There are three types of copper bits: copper inlay/roller, copper mouthpiece, and sweet iron.

Rubber Snaffles

Rubber snaffle bits are perfect for horses that are sensitive in the mouth or not used to wearing a bit. The soft rubber covers a metal mouthpiece, and the pressure is applied to the bars of the horse's mouth. The rubber coating allows a rider to communicate without hurting the bars of a horse's mouth. Rubber bits can be made with either a soft rubber or hard rubber, depending on the brand and design. Some rubber horse bits are made with a hard plastic coating that resembles a rubber bit without being as delicate. This is essential for horses that tend to chew on bits.

Anatomy of a Snaffle Bit

The snaffle bit has three parts: the rings (loose or fixed to cheekpieces). The rings attach to either side of the bit through a hole in either side and are connected to the bridle and the reins by the rings. Some snaffle bits also include cheekpieces. These pieces are stationary, meaning they do not slide through the mouth easily or are adjustable as easily as a loose ring. Cheekpieces lie against your horse's mouth, and the rings are fixed upon these cheekpieces.

These rings work in tandem with the third piece of the snaffle bit, the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is generally jointed, but some snaffle bits have non-jointed ones. The mouthpiece of the bit works on the tongue and the bars in your horse’s mouth, while the rings work on the lips of the horse. By pulling on or adjusting the reins, your horse will feel pressure in their mouth and along the cheeks and sides of their jawbone. The pressure exerted on the snaffle bit communicates your aids to the horse’s mouth.

How a Snaffle Bit Works

A snaffle works by adding pressure. When reins are pulled, the pressure is applied to the area of the gums that have no teeth, called the bars of the mouth. This gap is between the front and back teeth, and a properly fitting bit fits comfortably within this gap. As you pull the reins, the pressure exerted by one or both sides will give your horse a specific command. For example, equal pressure means to stop or slow, while pressure on one side of the other can ask for a turn. A quick bit of pressure and release is a half halt. Because these bits do not exert pressure on any part of your horse other than the mouth, they are often considered extremely gentle and perfect for any rider.

Is a snaffle bit gentle?

Snaffle bits are extremely gentle for horses. Because the pressure is only exerted in one area, you are not over-worrying your horse with added tack (such as a curb). Also, because of the direct contact between your hands on the reins and your horse's mouth, you know exactly how much force or pressure you're putting on your horse's mouth, which also gives you the cue that when your horse has completed the task you have asked, or they are fussing with the bit, or getting heavy, you may then release or adjust the pressure.

Why would you use a snaffle bit?

Snaffle bits are often the very first bit a horse ever uses. They are gentle and require little to no experience as a rider to use. Because of their versatility, there is a snaffle bit for every type of horse, whether your horse is young and just learning or you have an old schoolmaster. Because of the one-to-one ratio of pressure, it is easy for even the newest rider to understand that pressure equals action, and as soon as the action is completed, the pressure must end. These bits are often used for the rest of the horse's riding life