A bit about snaffles: Young horses, young riders, old standby

"It makes a good bit for training because it's simple for the horse to understand," says author and riding instructor Susan Harris. "Many people mistakenly think that the snaffle works by the joint's putting pressure on the roof of the mouth. Not so. The jointed-mouth snaffle bends in the middle and presses downward on the tongue, as well as exerting pressure on the bars and lips."

Another myth - any bit with a broken mouthpiece is a snaffle. Again not so, says Harris. "Curb or gag bits can have a jointed mouthpiece," she explains. "A snaffle 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."