05/27/2026
The snaffle bit.
Common things I read & hear about the snaffle are,
“A snaffle bit will expose all holes in your horses training.”
“A snaffle bit is the most humbling bit.”
“A snaffle bit is the simplest and softest bit to use in a horse’s mouth.”
“You should not change to a different bit if your horse isn’t riding well in a snaffle first.”
Opinions are like 🫏🕳️, we all got them and they all stink! So hope you got your clothes pin for your nose ready because here’s my take.
Holes in a horse’s training are exposed durning tasks done in a non training environment. For example a horseshow or day working job or showing off to your friends/ potential buyer 😂.
The bit in the horse’s mouth has almost nothing to do with what happens when you take the horse out the comfort zone YOU created.
Lately I’ve been working on softening exercises with my bridle mare. She’s very well broke, rides & ropes truly one handed. She’s not fancy (yet) but she will always be my first pick for any job.
My goal for every horse, not just her, is to be 1% better than the ride before. So in between jobs & shows we work on areas that we struggle with. I picked out a snaffle that best fit her that would allow me to be able to do a little pulling on her when I need to. Yes, I did say pull Karen. Being in a bridle bit consistently keeps a horse very collected and straight, that’s from my experience don’t spam me with Clinton Anderson videos, which also causes them to become rigid. My mare enjoys the style of collection a bridle bit encourages as she’s got a higher set neck and big shoulders. When I ask her to relax down stretch long ,low she gets frazzled. If you sat on the fence and watched our training rides while in the snaffle you would think “good lord Charlea have you done any type of training with that up side down headed giraffe?!” The next day you could sit on the fence and watch the same horse sort calves off cows while standing in a 12ft gate way while packing her bridle you would say “Your left hand is only moving 2in to left or right, Charlea, that mare’s whole body is going right where you ask her to.”
Could I use a different style bit to work on the goals I’m trying to achieve? Sure. It doesn’t need to be a snaffle, I’m not “going back to basics” I know how the mechanics of this particular O ring work so that’s why I’m using it. Each bit is designed to be used differently. The way a snaffle is designed to be used is far different than a ported bit. You know what’s easier & more comfortable for a horse to hold in their mouth? A ported bit. 🤷🏼♀️
Am I going to take my horse out of her bridle bit and leave her in a snaffle? Absolutely-Freaking-Not. I’d throw out all my other bridles before I did that. When she packs that bridle bit she knows I have full confidence in her.
So I say all that to say this, the snaffle bit is not the hero of every story. Truthfully in older horses, like my bridle mare, the snaffle bit can actually cause reverse effects. My go to for older training horse is definitely not a snaffle style bit for the fact of I know that horse already has it in his head he’s going to test my hands. The best thing I can do is set myself up in a position where I can set and forget my hands. Does Tricia run Adios in a O ring at rodeos & barrel races? She sure does! That’s not the bit she schools him at home with 😉.
Knowledge is power. The person at jackpot talking down on you for your horse tossing its head around while it’s packing correction port saying your horse isn’t trained enough for that bit and needs it to go “back to basics in a snaffle”, ask them to ride the horse in a snaffle bit. Let them eat that slice of humble pie.
I promise the videos you see of the horses going down the fence in a snaffle bit at cowhorse shows are not solely ridden in just that bit. Your local sale barn pen back rider that’s showing off sliding stops and fast spins on horse packing a snaffle bit….. I’d bet a 60hr paycheck he’s done some behind the barn type stuff that no one saw to produce what you’re seeing at that moment.
There’s a time and a place for every bit. It’s okay to play around with bits to find one that helps get you closer to your goal. There’s only one Bible and it doesn’t say anything about what you should ride your horse in on any given day. Except a Tom Thumb the bible definitely says there’s definitely no good day to use that, it’s in Ephesians somewhere I think.

