View Full Version : Snaffles
I am a purist, I suppose. I have never bought a snaffle thats anything other than a plain, common o-ring or 'futurity' snaffle. I have a filly that seems really unhappy with the feel of a regular snaffle. The one I am using is a Jeremiah Watt... plain with a little inlay in the mouthpiece.
I don't think it fits her mouth well. Whats everyones thoughts on a french link? I've never used one, but have alot of freinds who seem to like them.
FrancaV
05-05-2007, 01:57 PM
Hi, Sue!
I'm surprised nobody has jumped in here yet - guess everyone's out ridin'. ;)
The bit you have sounds like a good one. It could be that particular snaffle just isn't the right shape, or maybe it pinches ... or it could be a dental issue if it's been awhile since her last checkup.
Are you just starting her? Does she simply need to wear the bridle for awhile? When my mare was being started my trainer used a really old bridle she didn't care about - took the reins off and fed her dinner with the bridle on so she could just get accustomed to the feel of it in her mouth.
Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "futurity" snaffle? I started with a Jeremiah Watt D-ring and now use Jeremiah Watt eggbutt snaffles. I never bought a loose-ring because I wanted to avoid the possibility of pinching.
I just recently bought my first bit that isn't a Jeremiah Watt, not because I was having any issues with my current bits but I thought it was kind of an interesting design. It's a sort of fixed D-ring with a more curved mouthpiece. In theory it would have some of the effect of a full cheek snaffle for clarity but with the comfort of the D-ring and a mouthpiece that conforms better to the horse's tongue, but I haven't tried it yet. What I don't like about it right off the bat is that it's a fair bit heavier than my Jeremiah Watt bits. We'll see what my mare thinks of it when I get my spare bridle fixed up.
Back to your filly - it's hard to know what it is about the bit she doesn't like. Mouthpiece? Type of ring? I have never tried a french link myself but, like you, I have many friends who think they're great. Would it be possible for you to borrow one? And maybe also try an eggbutt? Is the bit the correct width? You may just need to experiment because horses have low palates and high palates, smaller and larger mouths.... Good luck!
Excess
05-05-2007, 07:43 PM
Hey Sue! My horse was started in a loosering snaffle. When I got him I put him in a few bits before I got on the Vaquero tradition of horsemanship. He was in a loosering, then the chris cox bit, then I got a Tom Balding bit off of Ebay. It's a d-ring snaffle broken in two parts in the middle. It's not a frenchlink but it's similar. My horse took this bit very well and I've never had a single issue with biting him at all. I like bits that are broken in two parts in the middle for horses with low pallettes and sensitive bars.
I also want to make a note that even though a Dr. Bristol and a Frenchlink seem similar THEY ARE NOT and a Dr. Bristol is a severe bit. The frenchlink has a similar "key" in the middle as the Dr. Bristol - sort of like a flat figure 8. In a frenchlink the flat part of the "key" is against in the tongue. In a Dr. Bristol it's the EDGE of the key so it bites into the tongue. Make sure you get a frenchlink and not a Dr. Bristol!
Weebonilass
05-05-2007, 09:25 PM
Sue,
I have a 15.2hh, 1066lb Arab, who has a 4.5" mouth. He also has a low palete, so the regular snaffle jabs the roof of his mouth easily. Which ticks him off and that's not fun to live with. He's had a french link, but I'm now using the JP loosering with the copper oval in the center. He liked it well enough in his English tack, that I went out and bought one for his western bridle... and now, I'm thinking I need one for the work bridle when I start ground driving him again.
Love the bit :)
Are you just starting her? Does she simply need to wear the bridle for awhile?>>>Franca
Yes, she is just being started... has 2 rides, with quite a bit of roundpen and groundwork. I am sure there are those here who will take issue with this, but I DO start all my colts in a bit. I used to be a colt starter for a cutting trainer, and I am afraid its my own personal shortcoming that I can't seem to give up. A few broncy ones and big wrecks have left me to be over-cautious about giving up my mental crutches. ;) This is a sweet, creampuff type filly... but I just can't do it. Too much baggage and not enough skill, lol. It's okay to call me chicken, I'm old, paranoid and have noone to drag my smashed body to the truck, lol.
Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "futurity" snaffle? I started with a Jeremiah Watt D-ring and now use Jeremiah Watt eggbutt snaffles. I never bought a loose-ring because I wanted to avoid the possibility of pinching.>>>
No... its not your ignorance. It's my poor description. I always have thought of that modified D-ring (like JWP has) as a futurity snaffle and always thought of a regular d-ring as a just a d-ring. I have had good luck with loosering snaffles. The looser, the better... more play in the rings and mouthpiece it seems. Horses seem to appreciate 'slower' bits.
You might have hit on the problems with the low palate. I will have to take another look at her mouth (teeth seem fine). She's giving laterally very quiet and nice, and I am not asking much. There's nowhere we have to be. She just doesn't seem to like that bit as well. Perhaps it IS too much mental pressure and I should be starting her in a halter. ???
Exy, thats for the heads up on the Dr. Bristol! I've never had a reason to look for anything else in a snaffle, I wouldn't have even thought about that.
Does anyone have a Mylar snaffle (curved)? I have one for my little hinny, Cracker Joe, and I can't decide if I like it or not. It sits so differently than a straight snaffle that I can't tell if it is positioned correctly.... on the other hand, that makes him a little bit responsible for carrying it correctly. Any other opinions?
I am getting ready to put Paisley in a bit.... been riding with just a rope halter, don't have a bosal big enough for her warmblood nose.
http://picasaweb.google.com/BarlowIrick/Paisley/photo#5072257344749839138
Yrs,
JRW
Are you refering to a Myler snaffle? NOT the knock off that Toklat makes. The real deal is in Missouri. There are pros and cons with ALL bits, the Mylers no exception. The premise being that there are 3 levels...(ACKKKKK not levels, again..lol) level one is 'easy' and level 3 has some serious leverage, and poll pressure, and then there are the delightful combo bits, and correction bits. The idea is that the "nut Cracker" action of the snaffleis reduced, because in the middle rather than a true joint, is a barreled ball hinge, so if you lift one rein, the other side supposedly remains stationary, hence the sides act independently of each other. The hinge is reduced, as well, because the bit is convex, as well as jointed, tho not jointed enough to break in half, as does a traditional snaffle. The story is, that if it works for you, it works for you...as with everything else...if you are asking if this bit is a traditional bit..no, it is not..does it work? Depends. The story is that the Myler boys devised this new methodolgy about 25 years ago...some of the patents, tho not all were purchased by Toklat, about 10 years ago..so, should you decide a myler is worth a try...and it is... then call them up in Missouri, and tell them what you would like to do, the kind of animal you most frequently work with, and they will guide, direct and encourage you to use their bits. In the harshest of hands, the velvet bit becomes an insturment of torture..in the softest hands, the traditional spade becomes a subtle source of pleasure to both horse and rider. So, as always, bits are in your hands...and your hinny hopefully is a willing partner.
Dear Red,
Thanks for your reply. I studied various bits quite a bit before I decided to try a Myler and they have a rent-a-bit program so I rented before I owned. At first it seemed to be the perfect thing, but then I noticed that I was always choosing to ride in the bosal and leave the snaffle hanging in the shed. Was it not working for us??? Then I got to watching Cracker with his myler and wondering if I actually had it fit right.
As luck would have it my farrier was here today and said he had a bosal that would fit Paisley that he never uses. It's handmade and nicely braided and for $15, it's mine. What luck!
Thanks,
JRW
Do Hinny's have totally different mouths...teeth structure, jaw structure? They must..because, they have the same parts as horses, but totally diff conformation...am sure no expert on Hinnys...come to think of it, I have seen halter MULE classes, and enjoyed the draft mule exhibitions, jumping, and even dressage classes..am never quite clear on the "perfect" type I know I like the cross with a good quarter horse, or TB...but, so many diff out crosses with horses...arabs, quarters, draft gaited horses...all so diff in body type to start with...Tell please, what makes a hinny so special, so same, so diff than a horse...I have only had the honor of riding a couple of mules in my life time, loved em, they were wonderful, and took their jobs serious..have also seen the proverbial "bad" mule...smarter than any of us, and thinkin outside the box..more powerful, just about anything but a bull, ounce for ounce...but, never a hinny, and I KNOW they think in a unique manner..
love, red
This hinny has more personality than any three horses put together. The last hinny I owned also was a real character. Think about it.... your growing up and you realize that your mom is an ass and you've got a different future than your parents ever dreamed of. Wouldn't that just naturally make you an optimist???
Cracker Joe will do anything I ask. He can be a little bit bronky, but he gives it all. It's the hotrod in him.
If I can ever get my camera working again. I will take a photo of that bit and how I have it sitting. Then you can advise me.
But for now here is a photo of the last annual meeting of HinnyWhisperers with Cracker Joe in attendance:
http://lh3.google.com/image/BarlowIrick/RmWjsTeof2I/AAAAAAAAAF8/-P25-Qy6w0Y/s144/HinnyMtg.jpg
Yrs,
JRW
http://lh3.google.com/image/BarlowIrick/RmWjsTeof2I/AAAAAAAAAF8/-P25-Qy6w0Y/s144/HinnyMtg.jpg
Weebonilass
06-06-2007, 06:03 PM
I bought a Myler Comfort bit fairly early in my relationship with my gelding, but he didn't like it at all. Fortunately, I was able to sell it to a barn mate who wanted one for her gaited horse.
I took Old Mr. Cracker out yesterday and tried it out. Actually it works pretty well. Can't complain.
I put the big thick snaffle on Paisley and we went walking around the lot. She chomped and chewed for a few minutes but pretty soon she was walking around like any good horse would. She hasn't a clue that it is going to be used for directional control, but getting her to understand it should be no problem since she knows gee and haw.
Today was entirely too windy to try to train the ponies. A giant limb from a cottonwood tree blew down and landed in the corral. No one was hurt and the donkeys made short work of the young bark. The bits stayed in the barn.
I know that snaffles are not supposed to have curb chains on, but they just don't look right without them either. How many here use curb chains on jointed snaffle bits???
Yrs,
JRW
wouldn't be caught dead with a chain...on a snaffle... good way to rip a face to shreds, if it ever got caught on anything..however the english riders seem to like broken pelhams, and broken kimberwicks, both bits have a fixed purchase, so are not what you immediately think of, when you think snaffle, and they like em with chains...to much pressure on the face. Not a lot of "soft feel" goin on, in the arena where mouthd are tied shut with drop nose bands..and contact is the norm.. for me? Chains have too much clanking, too much weight, tend to pinch, and dull a signal, when used as a curb chain..they are both heavy and harsh. Down right dull, once a chinnie chin chin has been victimized by a chain, used as a leverage device.. plus, they are uglier that cat *(!@!##$, (but they make great hop scotch laggers).. I would not be using a chain on any shanked bit. The way a bit looks, JRW has nothing to do with the way it works...and so many horses are injured, or confused because an owner does not think it "looks" right, or worse, thinks something DOES look right, without a clue as to how the bit is to functions in the real world.
Ya might try a soft leather bit hobble, or a leather chin strap... in case you are worried about having a snaffle pull thru their mouth...and if you have to crank that hard on em, to get a response, they prolly just need a teensy bit more ground work.. think how lovely a chain would be, should it be pulled thru a gapin' mouth.. I hate when THAT happens..that is how tongues get cut, sometimes in half...
yikes.
love, red
I am sorry, I didn't mean to write chains, I meant to write straps. Yes, a chain would be rather draconian, wouldn't it?
Yrs,
JRW
whew....now I feel much more better...I kept thinkin, no no no...she can't mean chains.
love, red
Another nice bit session for my Paisley. This time we just put it on and went and practiced free-lunging. I think next time I will put her surcingle on to have something to tie the ends up on. I had them tied in her mane this time.
I spent so much time teaching her to flex her neck in her halter that I never really have to pull the reins to get her to turn... she hasn't learned to give to the bit in any true sense because she has yet to have it actually pull her. I think I will attach some slobber straps and see if I can cue her off of just lifting them without actually contacting her mouth.
This morning I checked out some Escaramuza clips on YouTube. There are a lot of Mexican ladies in very fancy dresses riding in the competitions. I can't believe what they do in a side-saddle!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=I_dGzwUtjW0
This one really got my attention. There is only one horsewoman in the group, IMO. YIKES!!!
Yrs,
JRW
ps. This one really redeems those ladies: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NJ4Chl6PhO4
StableSlave
04-21-2008, 10:12 PM
HI
I have a Myler low port comfort snaffle for my big Sheeba - percheronXmustang or QH? she's large anyway and very powerful.
She grabs the Dring snaffle and wont give it back, literally. does not like it and just try to take her bridle off! She'll fling it clear across the paddock, which I dont understand, she's easy to bridle but hates the 'taking off part'.
So I bought the Myler adn tried it on her today. And she immediatly relaxed and put her head down. Lickin' and smackin' and stood hipshod. I just let her wear it in an old head stall for a while. She had fun playing with the roller. It's the first bit I've put on her that she did not just hate. Now keep in mind this poor mare is a rescue and was 'cowboyed up' so they could ride her in the sale ring over a year ago. I got her last fall and we're starting from scratch and I am NOT a professional trainer. I 'm just taking cues from her on what she will and will not tolerate.
So the low port comfort Snaffle bit by Myler with full cheek side pieces (an English Bit)seems to be a 'hit' with her. I know it's a level 2 bit and she's a level 1 horse. I will no doubt just put it away for a while and try using some sort of hackamore or a bitless bridle.
Since she's scared to death of western saddles, I gave in and bought an aussie. Funny, she does not mind the aussie saddle but she detests the aussie saddle pad. I'm working on the saddle pad issue but I'm not going to push her too hard as I dont want to cause anymore problems before I find a good trainer for her!
Liz
slave to the 'horsebert' Sheeba