snaffle bits

Help Support CattleToday:

A

Anonymous

Lately i have heard people say not to use a snaffle until a horse is 5 years old, I guess I don't see why not
 

TXBobcat

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2004
Messages
782
Reaction score
0
Location
China Spring, TX
What do they, "people", recommend using then? In my opinion, a snaffle is one of the least intrusive bits. I believe the least amount of bit you can ride with the better. In theory, if you could get a horse to do everything you wanted with only a halter on, why even use a bit?
 
OP
OP
A

Anonymous

Did the "people" mention what kind of snaffle? Whole bunch of different kinds. I agree with TXBob
 
OP
OP
A

Anonymous

just a couple folks at a horse show... I never showed,just ride for pleasure and work so I am not up on the "in things" to do. I was just watching and B.S. ing
 

TheBullLady

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2004
Messages
3,537
Reaction score
0
Location
Central Texas
Maybe they're talking about using a bosal first.. that's typical with young horses. After they've mastered the bosal you graduate to a snaffle. "Snaffle bit furturities" are popular for young horses.. generally 2 and 3 year olds.
 

CattleAnnie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2004
Messages
1,530
Reaction score
0
Location
Northeastern BC Canada
With the reining horses, they can't be shown in a snaffle after the age of 5, if I remember correctly. They have to be shown in a curb type of bit. Kind of curious as to what those people where talking about. Personally, I start all the colts in a snaffle. It's a pretty mild bit.
But you know how it goes, kind of like having kids or cattle...you get tons of advice (some good,some bad, some just right off the wall), but just end up using what works for your own situation.
 
OP
OP
A

Anonymous

TheBullLady":cp6nviok said:
Maybe they're talking about using a bosal first.. that's typical with young horses. After they've mastered the bosal you graduate to a snaffle. "Snaffle bit furturities" are popular for young horses.. generally 2 and 3 year olds.

The problem with not starting in a snaffle is it can take a colt a while to get use to a snaffle. When you switch they will play with the snaffle instead of paying attention. If a colt is going to be soft I use a rubber snaffle. Some of them are kinda big though.
 

Linda

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 1, 2004
Messages
173
Reaction score
2
Location
Utah
Anonymous":36enc29w said:
Lately i have heard people say not to use a snaffle until a horse is 5 years old, I guess I don't see why not

Our friends who raise and train great quarterhorses always start their colts in an egg butt snaffle. We, too, start ours in an egg butt snaffle.

There are many different kinds of snaffle bits, and they can be pretty severe, depending on their diameter and attachment at the cheek.
 

Oldtimer

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2004
Messages
3,922
Reaction score
33
Location
Northeast Montana
As long as they stay soft mouthed and will work a snaffle or short shanked snaffle I use them- I have horses 20 years old that work as well on a snaffle as anything else- but they have been tought to neck rein instead of plow reining- will work with curb, spade or anything.

Never did agree with AQHA on why you couldn't use a bosal or hackamore or snaffle on older horses. Saw horses that could spin circles and do anything you want with a hackamore bit (mechanical)- but for some reason the powers to be outlawed them too.
 

Terri

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 11, 2004
Messages
56
Reaction score
0
Location
Premont, tx
I prefer to use a mechanical hackamore. So do my horses. I only use a bit if the horse isn't paying attention to the hackamore.
 

Cattle Girl

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2004
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Location
CA
Use a Snaffle....its the stiff bite and curb chain you have to worry about...the most important aspect is your hands...don't be heavy handed..if you pull on them they will learn to pull on you.
 

Latest posts

Top