D-ring or shank snaffle? Help!?

A curb too severe for an experienced horse??
Curbs are only for experienced horses, and definitely not for "training".

Snaffles have direct pressure to the mouth. No leverage.
They're for direct contact, and the bit to start with for schooling.
For you, trail riding, a snaffle is fine.

Curbs have leverage. Depending on the shape and length on the shank, the pressure is intensified, and therefore is meant only for a finished horse that neck reins and goes off seat and leg. They're not for schooling.

Now, snaffles are commonly referred to as the single jointed mouthpiece.
That's false. What defines a snaffle is the rings (dee, loose ring, eggbutt, full cheek, etc.), not the mouthpiece.
There are singe jointed curbs, also not referring to a tom thumb, as that's something different in itself.


Bottom line, your dee ring is fine for trail riding, and only if your horse can independently neck rein one handed should you use the curb.

If your referring it cheek shanks.. I honestly think you are trying to describe a full cheek snaffle?
This is a full cheek snaffle I think you are referring to.

Then the D ring snaffle

Then there is an O ring

And and Eggbutt snaffle


Shanks are referring to a Curb bit. Shanks don't do around the cheek but they drop down from the bit portion making the reins further away from the bit part.

These are curb bits

If you have a tendency to plow rein (direct rein), use a snaffle.
You shouldn't plow rein in a curb bit.
If you only ever neck rein, you could use either one, depending on what your horse goes better in.
If it's a toss up or you can't decide, go with the snaffle.


Some people I know will stick a non-jointed curb on, just for trail rides, because their horses can graze in them, hence those bits are often referred to as grazing bits.