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What is your favorite snaffle and why? What do you use on green horses?

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#1 ·
Just thought I would start some conversation! I am stuck at home house cleaning today, lol.

What is your favorite snaffle? What type of snaffle do you prefer on green horses?

I really like thick loose ring snaffles. For a fidgety horse I love the D rings, with all the rollers. Seems to settle the horse, with something to play with.
I also LOVE full cheek snaffles, as the bar pushes on the coners of the lips/face, kind of like a side pull, or halter.
I just put a bit on my colt for the first time, It was a loose ring snaffle with a sweet iron mouth. He hates it... but I will let him get use to is, and try a few others.
What are the pros, and cons of Egg Butts, D rings, loose rings, ect?

I aso really like to start my horses in a loping hackamore, and side pull. I even ride many of my horses in a halter, sidepull or bosal. I usually use somethign mild like that when I put the kids on. Then I don't have to worry about kids jerking on the mouth.
 
#2 ·
I personally prefer a simple loose ring snaffle. It gives me more feel than a fixed ring. I can't really explain it any other way than that, it's just a different feel. LOL. I don't like them to be too thick because if it is too thick, it can make it uncomfortable for the horse to even carry it. At least if it is thin, then the mildness of it depends solely on my hands and I still have the option of a quick bite in case I need it.
 
#26 ·
I personally prefer a simple loose ring snaffle. It gives me more feel than a fixed ring. I can't really explain it any other way than that, it's just a different feel. LOL. I don't like them to be too thick because if it is too thick, it can make it uncomfortable for the horse to even carry it. At least if it is thin, then the mildness of it depends solely on my hands and I still have the option of a quick bite in case I need it.

I agree with this completely!! I could have never said it better:lol:
 
#3 ·
I also use a loose ring snaffle. The most important thing to use on a young horse is good horsemanship. You could start a horse in a high port curb with 5 inch shanks if you used good horsemanship and took the time needed. Of course if you had the experience to do that then you would know there are better ways.
 
#4 ·
I am a big fan of a loose ring french link snaffle. The extra link eliminates the 'nut cracker' action of a single jointed snaffle, particularly on a horse with a low palette. I've heard a few people commenting on this forum, that the french links cause a horse to lean/brace/become heavy in the hand. Well I have used this bit on everything from ponies, to ottb's, to wb's and never had a problem with a horse leaning on it. Some horses I've ridden for clients in a french link will lean, but only because of bad riding of it's main rider, it doesn't take long to get them carrying themselves.
It's a case of bad training/riding, not bad bit!
 
#18 ·
Agreed!i have read a number of ppl on hear saying the same thing about french links but i have had this bit in many horses mouths and they all loved it, my current horse tends to have a difficult time adjusting to a new bit but as soon as i put this bit in his mouth he loved it!with the experience i've had with this bit i love it...i've even had ppl see how some of my horses go in this bit then go buy them for their horses lol
 
#5 ·
My mare goes really well in an ENGLISH "tom thumb" snaffle, single jointed and of medium thickness.
I am talking about the tom thumb bit that is actually a snaffle with no poll action at all, just to clear stuff up :)

I used to ride my old boy in a vulcinite mullen mouth loosering cause he was super soft and anything else was too hard.
 
#6 ·
We've always used plain old d-ring single jointed eggbutt snaffles on all our mares from our seasoned lead mare to the young ones. They're all light in the mouth and don't fuss with the bit (perhaps they're all just easy).
 
#7 ·
I love regular old Ring Snaffles...like smrobs pointed out, it's just got the best "feel", with the least amount of pressure...

Mouthpeice depends on the horse I am working with but 'most' I've trained have had no problems with a single joint...if they do, I will try a three peice, or solid mullen type piece, but I give the horse several weeks on my normal peice just to make sure it's not just the horse figuring out the bit. Once or twice with a bit, is not normally very accurate amount of time to really decide, imo.
 
#8 ·
My greenbroke mare goes really well in a loose-ring french link snaffle. my 2 geldings in a regular loose ring snaffle. I like the french link because although there isn't a lot to play with there is a little piece. IMO it is better for focusing the horse then roller bits because they pay attention to me instead of the rollers in their mouth.

Appyfreak be careful when getting kids to ride in a hackamore. I have been told by some very reliable people {who have used hackamores a while} that if you pull to hard {like really realy hard} it can break a horses nose. I understand kids probly don't have that kind of strength but be careful.
 
#13 ·
At the horse show this year I think I am going to have to get a snaffle with a roller. my RMH loves to play with his mouth!

I was told not to go with a loose ring though just in case it pinches the lips... I am using a D ring snaffle on the gelding and a rubber full cheek on the mare. It help her with her bending. she HATES to bend!
 
#14 ·
The first bit my kids had in their mouth was a d ring french link. Only because its what I had and didn't feel like buying a new one. I didn't plan on keeping them in it that long. I actually started riding them in a rope halter.
 
#15 ·
I have always used a full cheek double jointed snaffle with a copper roller. Very gentle, give the horse something to play with and good all around bit. Can go english or western with it.
 
#20 ·
I use a D Ring with copper rollers on my cutting horse and my 2.5 yr old.
Tool Brace

I start my young ones in the eggbutt:
Bit Fashion accessory Metal Silver

And If they dont respond well, start with a larger twist, loose ring snaffle, and get smaller in Nessicery(sp?). But typically I only need the larger twist. As I ride with my body more then my hands.
These are my Loose ring snaffles from larger twist to the smallest:

Fashion accessory Metal Body jewelry Jewellery Silver

Fashion accessory Metal Platinum Keychain Silver

Fashion accessory Keychain Circle Body jewelry Jewellery
 
#21 ·
I like a nice full cheek snaffle for my green horses. I do have a small tom thumb type with rollers for horses that need retraining and run through the bit. Once they start responding I switch over to the full cheek. I like the full cheek as it helps response time and if a horse takes off with me it's easier to turn them. I'm a big fan of progressing downwards. I know I have it when I'm riding in a halter and leadrope. Haven't quite gotten to bridleless yet :). For young horses a lot of times I'll start in halter and lead rope or the like.
 
#24 ·
I know I have it when I'm riding in a halter and leadrope. Haven't quite gotten to bridleless yet :). For young horses a lot of times I'll start in halter and lead rope or the like.
That's how I start, usually, is with a rope halter...I am usually simultaneously working with the horse on the ground with the bit, but my first rides are often with the halter...
 
#25 ·
When starting greenies a lot of time once you start asking for steering the loose ring slides right through their mouths when they get confused and brace. I use a nice 3 piece loose ring with the donut in the middle to let them figure out how to carry a bit but once I start riding I like a D-ring or full-cheek. It helps them transition from pressure on the halter to pressure from the bit easier I think because it helps push the head around the turn instead of just pulling on their mouth. It also keeps the bit straight in their mouth a little better when they do the green horse noodle or if they want to scoot or bolt.
 
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