[macy.hj]

For my horses, I just use a plain single jointed snaffle. That's pretty much all I've ever used, except using a curb bit on my old trainers western pleasure horse, and I'd like to think I have pretty soft hands.
What are your opinions on a twisted snaffle bit? I know a couple gals who use them, and I've heard some different things about them. I'm not planning on ever using them, just wanted to know. Of course, even a snaffle could be abusive in the wrong hands. Technically, you could hospitalize someone with a spoon 🤷‍♀️ One of the trainers at my barn uses it, and it truly has helped her and her horse.
What do you think, and what bits do you use on your horses?

 

[Elessar]

I won't use a jointed snaffle after watching a YouTube video on how they function. I used to use a full-cheek snaffle but I would never use a twisted wire snaffle, not on any horse, ever. I know people do, but I won't be one of them.

I am currently using a western curb bit I bought from Amazon and it works very well for me/us. I do own an unjointed snaffle aptly named "the missing link" that I used for a few months when I bought my gelding as I transitioned him to a curb bit. I've tried a Myler curb bit but I didn't like how my horse responded to it as much as the Gary Gist bit I'm using now. The spoon/spade of the current curb bit carries so very quietly in his mouth that often, when I finish riding, he'll still hold the spoon on his tongue so I have to wait for him to drop the bit into my hand as I carefully and gently lower the bit and headstall from his head. I always undo the leather curb strap whether putting on or off. Just my $.02 worth...

 

[Golden Horse]

My opinion of twisted snaffle, I would not choose to use one.
I have learned though to give my horses the final choice of what they like,and what they reject. Personally I don’t like ring snaffles, much prefer an Eggbutt, but Gibbs LOVED his ring, over an eggbutt.

I love the look and feel of Myler bits, I have owned a few, but never have had a horse like them.

 

[ClearDonkey]

I will not use a twisted wire bit. No matter the way you put it, it increases the severity in the mouth.

What are the reasons for switching from a smooth mouth bit to a twisted mouth bit? The reasons are different than switching from a single break snaffle to a lozenge mouth to a barreled snaffle - those have different concentrations of pressure within the mouth - depending on the horses preference.

 

[horselovinguy]

The below bits are all versions of a twisted snaffle....a bit more information is needed before I would give comment on a generic "twisted snaffle" comment,... who should use it , why it should or could be used, who it benefits, how to use, how to adjust a headstall for optimum communication...and who shall be handling the reins of communication must all be taken into consideration whether use or not and will it help or cause a injustice to a team approach.

Some of these can be pretty scary looking to view and you better know what you're doing if you are handed a set of reins that connect to one of these...
These also come in western bits, the above are only "English" oriented but these mouthpieces exist in all disciplines.
From simple snaffle to pelhams, gags to western curb, dressage bradoons to driving and more than you can imagine.
Then add in offset mouthpiece, half twist to even more strange combinations just to look at. Combine that with slow, medium or fast twist and you have very different instruments of communication to have.

I've mentioned before I have a box of bits not to use, but so they are not used on any animal hopefully some were one-of-a-kind made special and the mold broken after casting.
A lot of people are outraged a horse wears this in English tack but a barrel racer has this and more, another rides in a variety of gag bits, elevator bits and nothing is said...

I have a slow twist, different from what most know or think they know.
On my 17.2 hand, very forward strong horse it was only used in the show ring when adrenaline and excitement made him so strong he could not and would not settle and listen.
I chose to not crash fences and needed a bit more than a snaffle afforded me but a pelham made him suck-back not working either.
A slow twist was different enough he went "Oh, time to listen" and I did not hang on his face, ride strong-armed or sit on a flying animal that my judges card wrote "SPEED KILLS" in a hunter over fences class...
That slow twist gave me the ability to ride gently with total communication between us...we never schooled at home with it...this bit only was for days he could not settle down to ride smart.

I have ridden horses in all of those I pictured and then others I could not find clear picture of that differentiate what was seen easily.
I have bits many not know exist and they are mass produced not special design & order...
I have a very different education and exposure to horses and riding than most do of younger ages than I.
Honestly, if you could ride with minimal contact or having the fight of your life what would you choose, why and who benefits not to be face-hauled on....might have some think differently if you are faced with that situation.
A big part is the rider having the education to utilize the bit carried by the horse, the horse to respect and understand the bit they carry....and working as a partnership even in communication shared.
🐴... jmo...

 

[bsms]

I'd reach for a curb bit before a twisted snaffle, but I wouldn't assume a twisted snaffle is cruel. One uses the least bit a horse responds to, and then trains the horse for more responsiveness, until both horse and rider are happy with what they are doing. What works for Bandit and me isn't what many would want...but it does work for us.

I'll share this picture just because a lot of folks have never seen what goes on inside the horse's mouth. It isn't what people preach when showing bits on their forearms:

 

[horselovinguy]

I'd reach for a curb bit before a twisted snaffle, but I wouldn't assume a twisted snaffle is cruel. One uses the least bit a horse responds to, and then trains the horse for more responsiveness, until both horse and rider are happy with what they are doing. What works for Bandit and me isn't what many would want...but it does work for us.

This is perfect bsms....

If you need more you choose carefully, wisely and then train so it becomes much less than what it appears as...

Its a tool, no more no less than spurs or crop and whip or any other....it is who and how it is used that makes or breaks it to being a working tool of gentle communication.
🐴...

 

[Zimalia22]

I have this bit, it's called a twisted mouthpiece, but as you can see, there is no twist. Horses like it, and it is NCHA legal.
I have used this bit for years, and love it. My horses like it,

#2 Perfect Bit - The Perfect Bit

#2 Perfect Bit 2 1/2" Purchase with 5" Shank. How to measure The Perfect Bit We measure our bits by the Purchase and the Shank. The Purchase is measured from the top ring to the mouthpiece. The Shank is measured from the mouthpiece down to the bottom ring. All mouthpieces are a standard 5 3/16"...

theperfectbit.com

 

[beau159]

For my horses, I just use a plain single jointed snaffle. That's pretty much all I've ever used, except using a curb bit on my old trainers western pleasure horse, and I'd like to think I have pretty soft hands.
What are your opinions on a twisted snaffle bit? I know a couple gals who use them, and I've heard some different things about them. I'm not planning on ever using them, just wanted to know. Of course, even a snaffle could be abusive in the wrong hands. Technically, you could hospitalize someone with a spoon 🤷‍♀️ One of the trainers at my barn uses it, and it truly has helped her and her horse.
What do you think, and what bits do you use on your horses?

As a general rule of thumb, I do not like to use bits that have a twisted mouthpiece. I feel like if I have to use something that has BITE, then I have not done a good enough job training my horses to be soft. But with that said, there's always exceptions. I don't ride my horses in snaffles all that much, since they are older and more finished, but I will use a snaffle when we have on our English attire.

As another general rule, I don't like using bits that only have a single joint. I feel I do better and my horses do better with a double joint (such as a dogbone center or similar). I feel it functions better inside their mouth and can get more flex from it. So the snaffles that I do use have the double joint.

Red goes good in just about anything, as does Dexter. Lilly I am still learning some of what she likes. She does tend to LEAN on the snaffle quite a bit when I ride her English so (here's an exception!!!) I do use a twisted mouthpiece on her snaffle in the English bridle, for now. It helps just enough that she doesn't lean and we can have a more successful ride. At some point, I'd like to put her back in a smooth bit but this is what's working for right now for us.