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:
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:
