Cheek Snaffle
A Bit more: Double, Pelham, Gags and Bitless
To recap from the part one – A Bit about Snaffles – Bits work on many different areas of the horse’s head: the tongue, bars, corners of mouth and lips, roof of mouth, side of fact, chin groove, poll and nose.
There are essentially five difference types of bit. All work on different areas of the horse and therefore have a different result. Having dealt with Snaffles in the previous article. here we feature the other four Bits.
Double
Double bridles are made up of three parts, the bradoon and the curb bit and the curb chain. These are easy to distinguish as:
- A bradoon will have a link and round rings
- A curb bit has no link and has cheeks in some form of another
- A curb chain is a piece of fine metal chain which attaches to either side of the bit and then lies in the chin groove.
Double bridles apply pressure to two further parts of the horse, the chin groove and the poll, which can encourage a more advanced head carriage and/or improved control. For this reason, they are used when the horse has reached a stage in his training where he requires further refinement, such as advanced dressage. Doubles can also be used when showing, hunting or jumping.
Pelham
A Pelham is a rather cunning bit where the two bits of a double bridge have been combined into one. Pelham bits can be used with one rein (with roundings) or two reins to encourage further refinement. This type of bit has the following variations:
- Straight bar or gently curved (mullen)
- With a port (a raised section in the centre of the bit)
- Jointed
- Kimblewick, which is a single reined bit with two rein positions, This is a strong bit.
Rugby Pelham can be used with a sliphead, like a double bridle, and can be made to look like a double for the show ring.
Pelhams are generally quite severe and should only be used by experienced people. They are not acceptable in dressage.
Gags
Gags are related to snaffle bits but are more severe.
They usually employ a lever action which works on the poll and are commonly seen when horses are going cross country, show jumping or playing polo. They are illegal for dressage.
There are many variations. Like the snaffle, they can have straight bar, single joined or double jointed mouthpieces in addition to a variety of different rings/cheeks, but these are often specific to that type of gag.
Gag snaffles should be used with two reins in a similar style to a Pelham. To use a type of bit like this with one rein does not allow any reward for the horse if he behaves, or give the rider any other option than employing the lever action. If a rein is attached to the snaffle ring and then a ring below, the rider has the best of both worlds.
Gags are very severe and if used inconsiderately can cause a lot of problems. That said, if used correctly and sympathetically, they can provide the rider with a further degree of control. Gags should only be used by very experienced riders.
Bitless
A bitless bridge or Hackamore is not technically a bit (hence, bitless) but a special attachment is available to provide the rider with control without the need for a traditional bit. These ‘bits’ rely on points of control outside the horse’s mouth, especially the nose. Bitless bridles have difference degrees of severity depending on the length of the shank between the nose and reins, and the paddying/width of straps around the head.
Bitless bridles are great for horses that do not like traditional bits or have damaged mouths, but they are not allowed in dressage competitions. Don’t be fooled … bitless bridles can be very severe and should not be used by inexperienced people.
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In part three, we shall summarise other aspects of Bits, including materials, fit and sizing.
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About the Author
Submitted by The BPc, Internet Presence and Internet Promotion – http://myportfolioltd.blogspot.com – on behalf of Sherwood Equestrian Supplies. For further Equestrian information visit http://sherwoodequestrian.blogspot.com and for Equestrian supplies visit http://www.sherwoodequestrian.co.uk
Cheek snaffle
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Metalab Stainless Steel Snaffle Full Cheek Bit With Copper Mouth $20.00 |
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Steelast L/W Eggbutt Full Cheek Snaffle Bit NEW $4.99 |
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Half-Cheek Copper Fishback Driving Snaffle Bit…New $34.95 |
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5″ Half Cheek Single Joint Snaffle Bit for Driving. $5.95 |
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USED 3 3/4″ SS Driving Spoon HALF CHEEK SNAFFLE Pony Mini Horse Bit STRAIGHT BAR $14.99 |
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5″ Plain Full Cheek Snaffle English Bit Stainless Steel $10.00 |
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Copper Enriched Horse Full Cheek Mouth Snaffle Bit Baucher Lozenge 5.75″ /14.6cm $31.59 |
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Full cheek twisted wire snaffle bit, Englsih $13.00 |
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Full cheek Snaffle with Copper rollers $11.51 |
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Nice Brown Leather English Bridle with Full Cheek Snaffle Bit Tack No Reins $24.99 |
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SHOWMAN STAINLESS STEEL FULL CHEEK SNAFFLE BIT $19.95 |
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Eldon Horse Bit Full Cheek Loose Ring Snaffle 4 1/2″ Made in England $7.99 |
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Driving Riding Pony Bit 4 1/2 ” Stainless Steel Half Cheek Snaffle USA Made $22.00 |
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MINI HORSE SS Miniature 4″Full Cheek Snaffle Bit $19.50 |
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KORSTEEL SEGUNDA FULL CHEEK SNAFFLE BIT $23.92 |
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Full Cheek Snaffle Bit; 5-1/2″ Mouth; 6-1/4″ Cheek; Stainless Steel; NEW w/tags $15.00 |
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Gently Used Full Cheek Snaffle, Never Rust Nickel, Made in England Pony Horse $6.75 |
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Used Stainless Full Cheek Snaffle 5″ Mouth $9.99 |
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NEW!! 4.75″ English Half Cheek Driving Snaffle Bit, Stainless Steel, Horse Tack $10.00 |
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Reinsman Bit 824 Horse Tack Western Snaffle Curb Bit Loose Cheek 5″ Copper Used $19.99 |
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5″ Corkscrew Twisted Dr. Bristol Snaffle Full Cheek Sterling Silver Excellent $15.00 |
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JP Korsteel Full-Cheek French Link Slow Twist Snaffle Bit 5.5″ EXCELLENT! $9.99 |
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JP Korsteel Full-Cheek Single-Joint Snaffle Bit 5.5″ EXCELLENT! $9.99 |
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Kelly Silver Star 4″ Cheek Twisted Sweet Iron Snaffle Horse Tack Equine $25.00 |
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Copper Enriched Horse Full Cheek Mouth Snaffle Bit Baucher Lozenge 5.75″ /14.6cm $31.59 |
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LOOK-Lot of THREE Good Used Bits-Loose ring, Full Cheek and draw/gag snaffle $15.00 |
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4-3/4″ Stainless Steel Herrmann Full Cheek Snaffle Bit Fish Back Horse $19.99 |
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5″ Slow Twist BRASS Snaffle Full Cheek Sterling Silver HARD to FIND Brass BIT $25.00 |
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5″ Full Cheek Showman Snaffle Bit Stainless Steel Horse $21.99 |
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Kelly Black Steel with Silver Spots Full Cheek Snaffle Bit Horse Tack Equine $27.00 |
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Full Cheek Snaffle Bit Slow Twist Copper Dr Bristol – 4.5″ – New $35.95 |
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Richard Shrake Sweet Iron Mouth Full Cheek Snaffle $12.50 |
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Korsteel Full Cheek Corkscrew Snaffle Bit 4-3/4″ BRAND NEW WITH TAGS $17.00 |
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4 3/4 Full Cheek Snaffle Bit $8.00 |
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Full Cheek Eggbutt Snaffle- 5 1/2″ $10.00 |
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Coronet Single Twisted Wire Full Cheek Snaffle Bit $20.95 Coronet Bits, Spurs, Stirrups, Irons and Accessories are made of the finest metals and materials and are held to the highest standards of quality control. Every piece is polished and inspected before leaving the factory. Close attention is paid to detail to make sure that all items will pass the criteria for breed and disciple regulations where appropriate. Tightly twisted mouthpiece lightens and … |
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Korsteel Sweet Iron Full Cheek Snaffle $29.99 From the original Korsteel. Quality bits made from the finest materials with a complete line of hardware for every discipline. Depend on Korsteel products for great quality and price…. |
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Coronet Fulmer Full Cheek Snaffle Bit $27.95 Coronet Bits, Spurs, Stirrups, Irons and Accessories are made of the finest metals and materials and are held to the highest standards of quality control. Every piece is polished and inspected before leaving the factory. Close attention is paid to detail to make sure that all items will pass the criteria for breed and disciple regulations where appropriate. The longer cheeks prevent the bit from b… |