But once she’d taken her first lessons aboard American Saddlebreds she was hooked on English riding. Then she worked as a groom for a show barn, and was taught to harness and drive Welsh ponies. As a child she rode western and learned to barrel race. Snaffle BitsĬindy Hale’s life with horses has been filled with variety. That’s why it’s important to choose a bit wisely, because once a horse’s mouth has become dull or sore due to a strong bit in rough hands, it’s difficult to re-school the horse to become light and responsive once again. Snaffles and curbs are available in a wide range of mouthpieces, and each style-from smooth to twisted and low or high ports-provides a certain degree of severity. Though curb bits can be ridden with two hands, in western riding the curb permits the rider to guide their horse through neck reining. Curb bits encourage the horse to lower their head and flex at the poll. Pressure is also felt on the horse’s chin, thanks to the curb strap or curb chain. In general, a longer shank translates into more leverage and hence a more severe bit.

When you pull back on the reins, the shanks create a lever action and pressure is exerted on the horse’s lower jaw, the bars of the mouth and the poll via the crownpiece of the bridle. Reins are attached to shanks, the vertical bars attached to the bit rings. When you pull back on the reins, the shanks create a lever action.

Horse bit severity chart