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Veteran
Posts: 285
 
| I'm sure this has been discussed probably a billion times, but I'm curious. I have always rode in a snaffle. Bits confuse me, there are soooo many out there. My horse is very quick and bendy, so I was wondering what would be good to try on her. Also when do you switch your horses out of a snaffle? I don't want anything harsh, just want other opinions of what to start looking at and using. My family has always rode in a snaffle bit so I'm not very savvy with bits and want to learn. Are there any good bit books out there that you recommend? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | The best bit is the bit that works. Your horse will let you know what they like and don't like. Search online and YouTube there are tons of articles on bits. I know barrel horse news had a good one. I learned about bits by using them and reading anything I came across.
I typically move mine into a loomis gag when they have all the basics down. I go back and forth between that and my snaffle to teach them gag and leverage. From there I may keep the in a ring snaffle or advance them to something mild with a curb action if I feel like they lug on me too much. You want them to be responsive, but not too touchy. I play around with a lot of different bits, but I never use anything more than they need or don't like. If your horse is broke just start playing with different things. You can always go back to your old faithful. Just remember the more shank, the harsher the bit. A locked mouthpiece is also harsher than a gag. So look for oring combos, six bits, Jr. Cow horses, short shank lifters etc. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
 
Location: Montana | I do, but I haven't run in over a year (boy do I miss it, but that's another story). I always liked the feel of the snaffle and the directness of the way the bit works. But my mare doesn't require a lot to shut her down after a run. I have been experimenting with other bits on dry work, so for my mare I'd probably pick some kind of snaffle combo bit for her now, as I get a little more response from her when I pickup the bit, but also have a little gag (she's really ratey) that doesn't start working right away either.
Like the other person said, whatever works best, and each horse and rider combo is different. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1129
Location: OH-IO | To me, less is best...so as long as they are performing well and behaving like they should-i will just stay with the snaffle I am in.
?There are also a few different snaffles I use...For a little fine tuning or a little more control in my turns.
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I think there's too many bits in the world! I love snaffles. If your horse works well in a snaffle then stick with it. My horse can do anything I want in a snaffle, sidepull, or shanked bit. He's trained to respond to my aids rather rely on a specific bit to work. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | I run my mare in a o ring smooth snaffle. She has been rode in a d ring snaffle her entire life till I got her so I'm still working on getting her used to the feel of a curb bit or gag bit. I'm going to get her teeth done(to be sure that isn't her issue) then go from there and start introducing gag bits and lifters again. I do feel the snaffle gets the job done but I want to start adding more speed during the next few months and I will have to see if the snaffle is still working or if I will have to add something to get a quicker reaction(if needed). If you do run in a snaffle I do suggest an o ring over a d ring as you can get more lift and bend out of an o ring, at least in my experience. :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I ran the mare in my profile picture in a snaffle bit for almost a year. Went from a medium shank twisted wire combination bit to a loose ring smooth mouth snaffle at the same race because she was stopping too much at the barrels. I thought I had lost my mind doing that and was going to go for a ride, and I sure did, a ride that ended up being our new fastest time at that arena. haha sometimes they just need the change. I ran in it and actually won most of my points to get my top 10 award in that snaffle bit, until I went to Josey's for some first barrel problems and they suggested the go around (just enough bit to get her into her first without running past it or hitting it, but not too much bit to let her work on the other two barrels.) |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Last year, my 4-year-old was running in a snaffle. Granted, he's still learning but he pulled his first 4D check before he came up with an injury and I had to turn him out. As long as he continues to work nicely in a snaffle, he will stay in a snaffle. I won't change him unless he tells me he needs it.
I also do English events with him (that require a snaffle) so I am going to try hard to keep him in a snaffle, if I can.
This is what I am using:
This was our last run before he got hurt (and his first check! Was a proud momma.)
https://youtu.be/CQgIDXtVYkU
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
Location: Wisconsin | it definitely can be done!!! My mare is super light and if you are in her way or do something wrong she tattles!! i struggled a lot with finding a bit that worked with her and i ran her for a year in a clampitt but have found i like a snaffle just as much! mine is just an o ring smooth mouth.**edited to add that all my horses run in a snaffle at some point in their life, shared a video of my other open mare
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjVDJAIWj8I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGKKvDGqqi4
Edited by barrelracingstar121 2016-02-09 9:01 PM
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I rode my gelding in a snaffle for most of his first year or two on barrels but as he got more agressive/confident, I needed something more. I kinda alternate between a short shank cervi lifter, charmayne james Ryon and a tender touch. He likes all 3 and those are my three favorite transition bits. Most horses seem to like them and they give me a little but more without being too much.
But I agree, ride them in the snaffle until you cant. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | Yep I do.
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | And doesn't Robyn Herring run FirewaterontheRocks (a stallion) in a snaffle?
http://www.firewaterontherocks.com/
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 Veteran
Posts: 178
| I run my mare in a smooth o-ring snaffle. I will change it up and use other bits when I just ride her or do any tuning or whatnot, but when it comes time to run, that's what she gets, and it works. I feel like it makes her freer and I can stay out of her way a little better. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | First Down French is also run in an oring snaffle from what I have seen in videos. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | yes. I choose the bit the horse works the best in.... |
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