Snaffle Bits

Which snaffle suits your horse?

A snaffle works at a one-to-one ratio: the pressure you apply to the rein is the pressure that arrives in the mouth. That makes it suitable for almost every rider and every discipline. The differences come down to two things: the cheek and the mouthpiece.

The cheek: loose ring, eggbutt or D-ring

On a loose ring snaffle the rings move freely through the mouthpiece, giving mobility and room — something many horses appreciate. Do make sure the rings do not press against the corners of the mouth; bit guards help here.

An eggbutt snaffle has fixed rings and therefore sits more still, a fine choice for young horses or horses that are restless in the contact. The D-ring takes that stability one step further and offers clear lateral guidance. The hanging cheek (Baucher) hangs from a short fixed ring and lies remarkably quietly in the mouth; contrary to what is often assumed, it is not a leverage bit. The full cheek, with its long cheekpieces, prevents the bit from sliding through and supports the turn.

The mouthpiece: single-jointed, double-jointed or unjointed

A single-jointed mouthpiece has one hinge and acts mainly on the bars and the corners of the mouth. A double-jointed mouthpiece spreads pressure more evenly across tongue and bars and is more comfortable for many horses. An unjointed mouthpiece stays still and gives calm, even tongue pressure — often a relief for sensitive horses.

Finding the right bit size

A snaffle should extend roughly half a centimetre beyond the corner of the mouth on each side. Too narrow pinches; too wide slides back and forth. Alongside the width, the thickness of the mouthpiece (usually 12 to 18 mm) shapes how the bit feels: a thinner mouthpiece acts more directly, a thicker one more softly — but only if there is enough room in the mouth.

Materials

Stainless steel is neutral, strong and easy to care for. Copper alloys such as Sensogan, Aurigan and Cuprigan give a mild taste and encourage salivation, which helps many horses accept the bit. Sweet iron develops a thin layer of surface rust with the same effect. Synthetic and rubber mouthpieces are soft and light — a good choice for horses just starting out.

Advice from one rider to another

Fitting a bit is precision work, and we are glad to do it with you. In our 400 m² showroom in Lemelerveld — on the N48 between Raalte and Ommen — you can lay sizes and mouthpieces side by side and feel them in your hand. Prefer to sort it out from home? Send us a WhatsApp message and you will hear back personally from someone who rides.