Bits (Part 1 - The Snaffle Bit)

What is a SNAFFLE BIT?
A snaffle bit is any bit where the headstall and the rein connect to the same ring. A broken mouthpiece is common, though not required to make it a snaffle. A snaffle has 1:1 pressure.
Does the snaffle bit PINCH?
No. This is not possible to accomplish in the horse's mouth.
FOUNDATIONAL EXERCISES
Circle S: Starting at a walk, you can apply direct pressure to each side of his mouth, and release when the horse gets soft and follows his nose. This is a good foundation to build on, and also a good exercise to come back to if you ever get in trouble.
Two-Rein Softening: Take up two reins and hold, pushing the horse into the bit with your legs. When he gets soft, release immediately.
The snaffle is a great teaching tool that gives the horse a solid foundation. From here, he can move on to a bit with more leverage. Be sure to watch parts 2-4, where we will discuss bits as I like to progress them through training.
To view my entire preferred selection of bits, click here: kenmcnabb.com/...
Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
Ken McNabb
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[@rietdikkeschei1116]

Thank you Ken for all of your teachings about good horsemanship and the use of the bit, legaids, balance on our horses and so on. May God bless you, your family and your work. Greetings from the Netherlands. Looking forward to more of your teachings. Riet

[@luisnew6738]

i always enjoy your classes thank you Ken, and hello from Alaska

[@epona9166]

Thank you for your demonstration and speaking the truth about the effect of a single joint snaffle on a horse's mouth. When you had your assistant put her arm up I thought ok here it comes, the Myler bit demonstration LOL. The one where they show how much better their "comfort snaffle" is. Well, there's nothing wrong with it, but their premise that without the center barrel, you're going to get the dreaded nutcracker effect is bogus. I certainly bought into it, but have since gone on to Pat Puckett's Missing Link snaffle. Anyway, thanks so much for the video.

[@waylonmorristexas4851]

Thank you I know very little about bits but this is helpful

[@epona9166]

Very interesting point about the folly of bending your horse laterally without moving its feet. Of doing it too much at least. A well known Aussie trainer does that EXCESSIVELY, and I've read it's a bad idea because you train the horse's body to "break" at the shoulder, so it is less able to bend on a smooth curve when you steer to one side or the other. Your point about keeping them moving when you bend them laterally would seem to go along with that thinking. I suppose doing a movement like shoulder in would come into this discussion, but since I don't know how to do that LOL I'll just let it go. Thanks for the video.

[@josebarrientes177]

Your a good man this is going to help me with my horse my friend keep makin videos

[@kfelts4638]

Would this exercise be recommended for a mule? Same repetition for 20 minutes…and repeat. You know mules.

[@lizarutherford2477]

I always learn so much from this channel. God bless you, Team McNabb xx

[@pattisemans6456]

Thank you ! Wish i had discover you a long time ago! You give the Why’s and i love it

[@paulinemarsden2889]

Thanks very much. I learned so much from this one video.

[@annette8195]

I love this. Needed to know about the snaffle bit more. But.....what do I do when she starts getting agitated with this and starts hopping the back bad up. Switching tail and pops her back end up like a buck.

[@lindajosefsson1686]

So helpful! Thank you!