Choosing the perfect bit that is easy to manage and comfortable for your horse can be tricky, given all the broad categories and varieties available in the market.
I have enjoyed horse riding since I was a little kid, thanks to my grandparents. They have a large and beautiful barn beside their count house. It was my favorite destination during vacation, till today, it is. I learned about horse gears and riding from them.
It was confusing at first, but now I think I have a knack for it. Are you confused with all varieties of bits that you see in the tack stores? You are at the right place if you are looking for a snaffle bit for sale.
Well, for you, I have reviewed here three of the best snaffle bits for compassionate horse riders.
Best 3 snaffle bits for training:
- Professionals Choice Equine O-Ring Training Snaffle Bit
- Weaver Leather Tom Thumb Snaffle Bit
- Weaver Leather Professional Ring Snaffle Bit
These are my personal favorite snaffle bits that are not harsh on my horse and do their work pretty well.
The Reviews
1. Professionals Choice Equine O-Ring Training Snaffle Bit
This is one of the best bits available in the market for horses. Again, it comes with minimum requirement features which will make you buy this one. So, let’s see the features.
Specifications
- Weight- 0.27 Kilograms
- Dimensions- 8 x 5 x 2 inches
- Color- Stainless-steel
- Brand- The Bob Avila
Features at A Glance
- It provides pressure to the horse tongue and helps to control.
- Comes with decent built quality and lasts for a long time.
- This product is well designed and suitable for horse riding.
- Easy to install and use.
- It also has a small twisted mouthpiece.
Pros:
- Horse riders are happy with the built quality and it offers them quite an easy installation process.
Cons:
- There is no complaint from the users about this product.
2. Weaver Leather Tom Thumb Snaffle Bit
| Brand Name | Weaver Leather |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 3.4 x 3 x 0.5 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.25 Kg |
| Size | 5″ |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
Many people think that Tom Thumb bits are harsh and not suitable for beginners. Well, it depends on the rider, not the bits.
Weaver Leather Tom Thumb Snaffle Bit is a western correction bit typically used for training and not regular uses. The shanks are relatively short and butterfly-shaped. It has copper wire wraps, a single joint, a 5-inch long and thin copper-plated mouthpiece, and a higher port.
This higher port relieves pressure on the tongue, but it comes in contact with the roof of the horse’s mouth when pulled by reins. So, it sends clear and direct signals to the horse.
It’s a curb bit, so it applies significant nutcracker pressure in the mouth, jaw, and over the poll. So, there is a lot of action going in the mouth with these bits. They provide three times more pressure to the horse’s mouth than the riders’ applied pressure as leverage bits.
These bits can be very painful for the horse if used by inexperienced riders. This bit is mostly used for horses that are undisciplined or take too much time to stop. You can shift to milder snaffle bits like the other two on my list once your horse is re-schooled to be obedient.
Pros:
- Extra leverage action
- Extra curb chainrings
- Pretty longshanks
Cons:
- Harsh on the horse if the rider is not soft handed or inexperienced
- Tendency to rust quickly
3. Weaver Leather Professional Ring Snaffle Bit
| Brand Name | Weaver Leather |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 5.8 x 3.7 x 1.1 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.6 Pounds |
| Copper Mouth & Rings | 5″ & 3 inch |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
Ring snaffle bits are the most simple and versatile bits to me. Though D-rings are my favorite for their fixed connection between the mouthpiece and rings, the 0-Ring snaffle bits provide a wider range of flexibility.
I started my training with O-Ring bits. They are not harsh on your horse but can give clear signals and directions.
As the mouthpiece moves independently in the rings, the horse can feel the slightest pressure on the reins easily. It provides pressure on the bars, corners of the mouth, and tongue.
The 5-inch copper mouthpiece has a single joint, and the rings are both 3 inches. This bit is ideal for training exercises, teaching a new riding discipline, young horses, or softening an older horse’s mouth.
Pros:
- Soft on the horse’s mouth
- Easy to direct by even a subtle rein cue
- Easy to use for beginners
Cons:
- As the rings aren’t fixed, they can pinch the side of the mouth a little
These are my top three snaffle bits ideal for all types of training and also regular uses. You can find snaffle bit for sale in various online stores and tack shops.
But so many varieties and options can be blinding. So, it’s best first to identify what type of bit will suit your horse the best.
How to Choose the Best Horse Bit (A short buying guide)
There are four things you need to consider while purchasing the right bit for your horse.
1. Your hands/ Experience
As I have already told you before, the performance of the snaffle bit depends mostly on the rider’s hand. Any bit can cause severe damage to the horse’s mouth if the rider’s hands are harsh.
You need to have a strong grip on your hand so that you don’t lose the rein pressure even if you get unbalanced on the saddle. Make sure you can move your hands independently before using harsher bits.
2. Your horse’s mouth
Not all horses have the same mouth or rein pressure bearing capacity. Young, inexperienced, or green horses are more sensitive to bits and rein pressure.
You want to use simple and gentle bits for them. You don’t want them to have a bad experience on the initial days of training.
Some horses also don’t like copper mouthpieces. If you feel and see that your horse is resisting the bit, you should consider changing it.
On the contrary, experienced and trained horses might have hard mouths and not respond to gentle bits.
3. Training problems
What snaffle bit you need for your horse also depends on the problems you face while training your horse. It’s best if your horse responds to gentle bits and rein pressure and understands you well.
But sometimes, harsh bits are necessary for training undisciplined horses. The Weaver Leather Tom Thumb Snaffle Bit in my list is such a type of bit.
4. Riding Disciplines
Your purpose of riding has a huge impact on the bit you use. If you ride your horse daily just for fun, you can use gentle bits or try curb bits for a change after some experience.
But for hunters/jumpers, dressage, and western riding, there are many rules and requirements to follow. So, choose the bit accordingly. There are various types of horse bits like:
- Snaffle Bits
- Curb Bits
- Combination Bits
- In-Hand Bits
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the best snaffle bit to use?
The most comfortable and rider-favorite snaffle bits are the eggbutt. These bits do not pinch the corner of the horse’s mouth, unlike the O-Ring ones.
What are the different types of snaffle bits?
There are commonly six types of snaffle bits: Eggbutt, D-Ring, O-Ring, Full Cheek, Loose Ring, Hanging Cheek, and Bradoon.
What is the kindest bit for a horse?
The kindest bit is the one used by the softest hands! As I said several times already, any bit can be painful for the horse if used by rough hands. But in general eggbutt ones are the softest.
How much does a horse bit cost?
A horse bit might cost from 20 to even 350 dollars. The snaffle bit for sale on my list is within the range of 20-125 dollars.
What is the most comfortable bit for a horse?
The bits with a mullen mouthpiece are naturally the most comfortable. They are covered with high-tech plastic or vulcanized rubber, so no pinching or discomfort to the horse.
What is the best all-around bit for a horse?
Snaffle bits are the best all-around and most accepted bits for a horse. They are the softest bit for a horse. In the marketplace, you will find more snaffle bit types.
Conclusion:
A horse bit isn’t designed for just controlling the horse, but it is a source of communicating with them. Bits sit at a comfortable position in the horse’s mouth (between the gap of the front incisors and back molars) over the tongue.
More than twenty types of bits are available in the market, but snaffle bits are the most popular ones. If you think that your horse is resisting too much or taking too long to stop, it is better to figure out the problem than switch to a harsher bit.
You can find snaffle bits for sale online, but first, choose the right type for your horse.
My name is Kenneth E. Johnson and I am an equestrian enthusiast. I have a passion for helping others learn more about horses and their care, and I have written extensively on topics such as nutrition, behavior, health, riding, care, etc.
