Introduction to Shank Snaffle Horse Bits
As the horse progresses and acquires more experience, you can start using bits with thinner mouthpieces and longer cheeks (shank snaffle in diagram left). Sometimes called a “cowboy snaffle” bit, many experts do not regard this as a snaffle at all because it applies leverage and chin pressure. In short, regardless of the mouthpiece, to call any bit that has leverage action a snaffle may be erroneous.
However, for purposes of this discussion, we will call a bit with a snaffle mouth AND leverage cheeks a shank snaffle.
Experienced riders and trainers often add a shank with chin strap to increase the stopping power and lengthen the timing of the signal. (See Shank) (See Signal)
Longer cheeks (shanks) add more leverage to the bit so that more pressure on the horse’s mouth is achieved with less pressure on the reins from the rider. A bit that offers “direct” pressure gives the horse the same amount of pressure as the pressure exerted through the reins by the rider (ie: simple snaffle bit=1:1). A bit that has “leverage” passes more pressure to the bit than the rider is applying to the reins – amplifying the effect of the rider’s hands. This is important when competing in horse classes where obvious or perceptible cueing is counted against the score of the rider.
When the chin strap is engaged by this type of bit, it presses the bars of the bit deeper into the bars of the horse’s mouth. It also imparts discomfort to the chin groove and exaggerates the downward tongue pressure at the joint of the mouthpiece.
If the butt of the mouthpiece is set solidly into the cheeks, the bit becomes a curb bit. We are not discussing them here.
Loose-shanked or loose-cheek snaffles retain independent lateral movement on each side. When you want to influence one side of your horse without disturbing the other, a loose-shanked bit is best because it will pressure just one side of the face. That makes these bits better turning bits than fixed-shank bits.
You will be sorely disappointed if you think you can get a full sliding stop from a horse trained only in a simple snaffle. However, a shanked snaffle can help perfect both or serve as a bridge from simple snaffle to curb bit. It has the advantages of the snaffle in turns and adds the advantage of curb action to the stop.
However, there are some disadvantages to a shank snaffle bit. A novice trainer should never use one that has shanks more than about 4″ long. Any longer will add too much curb pressure. Additionally, a one-handed pull with a shank snaffle is much more lopsided than the simple snaffle direct pull. The shank snaffle fails to pull through to pressure the other side of the face but instead, it has a tendency to dig into the horse’s upper face and pinch his skin between the upper shank and his molars. Even if a bar is used across the rein loops to hold the shanks together, it has a tendency to press down like a lopsided fire engine ladder and confuse your horse about the direction of the pull.
Additionally, the snaffle action is exaggerated in the mouth. A simple snaffle breaks the mouthpiece in the middle sending the nutcracker up or down depending on the angle of the pull. With a shank-snaffle the bit breaks in the middle and the nutcracker is shoved DOWN into the tongue.
There is an answer to the poor turning performance of a shank snaffle and the high stopping ability of a curb snaffle. The double-rein loops of Pelhams, and similar bits give you control two ways, maximizing the turn and stop. It takes more coordination on the part of the rider to control two reins, but adds so much precise communication that it is often worth it. It is especially important and favored in dressage training.
Kimberwick bits also add mild curb pressure to direct reining and use only one rein.
Ideally, a horse should be able to feel you take hold of the reins before the bit does anything (signal time). If properly adjusted, a shank snaffle will swivel approximately 45 degrees toward the chest before engaging chin pressure (assuming you are using two hands – low). That gives a horse some time to compute the coming request and comply before the bit “takes hold”. Having the bit in his mouth eventually becomes just a reminder of what is asked and not the primary motivator.
Using leverage and lengthening the signal time can teach a horse to respond to more and more subtle rein cues with less perceptible rider hand action.
Truism: The less severe your bits, the longer you will have a light-mouthed horse.
Correction Mouth Snaffle
The correction training bit has a jointed, ported mouthpiece that offers tongue relief to a horse who has mastered his exercises in his 2-joint snaffle. His tongue is more comfortable during most exercises The loose-cheek snaffle at the left has a milder tongue pressure or more severe tongue pressure dictated by the sharpness of the under-joint on either side of the port.