How to Fit a Snaffle Bit

The O-Ring snaffle (shown here) is used in many English disciplines.

Horseback riders in the English and Western disciplines consider snaffle bits both simple and gentle to the horse, and often use them when training young horses and riders. Snaffles operate by putting pressure on the tongue, lips and gums of the horse's mouth, allowing the rider to guide the horse's head, steer and dictate pace. Different types of snaffles include Full Cheek, D-Ring, O-Ring, Eggbutt and Twisted, and all include a two-part, jointed mouthpiece made of uncovered metal, usually stainless steel. Learning how to properly fit a snaffle bit to your horse will allow you to control your ride while providing comfort and sensitivity to your equine companion.

Things You'll Need

• 8- to 10-inch piece of 1/2-inch garden hose
• Pencil or marker
• Ruler
• English bridle

Instructions

Sizing the Bit

1. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch diameter garden hose to a length of 8 to 10 inches.

2. Slip the piece of hose into your horse's mouth and position it on the bars--the toothless gap on either side of the jaw between the front and back teeth where the bit normally rests.

3. Mark with pencil or marker where the outer edges of your horse's lips rest on the piece of hose.

4. Measure the space between the two marks with your ruler to determine the necessary size of your snaffle bit. Note that this size refers to the length of bit between the rings of the Full Cheek, D-Ring or O-Ring snaffles, and that there should be 1/4 inch between the rings and your horse's lips on either side of the bit.

Fitting the Bit

1. Attach the snaffle bit to both cheekpieces of your bridle using the appropriate buckles. Watch to ensure that your bit bends away from your horse's tongue instead of bending in where it will exert too much pressure and cause pain.

2. Buckle your reins to the rings on the bit.

3. Adjust the bit in your horse's mouth so that you see two gentle wrinkles at the corners of his lips, "like a smile," says Susan Harris in "The U. S. Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship." You may need to lower or raise the snaffle bit using the buckles on the cheekpiece in order to see the two wrinkles and to find the proper placement of the bit.

Tips & Warnings

• Try using a wood pencil in place of the hose piece if a hose is not available.

• If your horse is not in his stall when you're measuring for the bit, leave on your horse's halter and tie the lead rope to a fence. If your horse is particularly head shy, you may need to use the halter and lead rope in the stall to keep him from pulling his head away during the measurement phase.

• Snaffle bits that are too small will cause sores in the corners of your horse's mouth. A too-large snaffle slides around in the mouth, irritating the tongue and banging against the teeth.

• Horses with ill-fitting bits tend to fuss with their mouths, toss their heads and pull on the reins. This type of behavior can be dangerous to the rider.

References

• HorseRides.org.: Snaffle Bits
• "The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship"; Susan E. Harris; 1994

Resources

• DressageForJuniors.com: Learn the Snaffle and Double Bridle
• Equisearch.com: The Bit Gallery-Fitting Snaffle Bits
• HorseData: Horse Bit Suppliers