In our series looking at different types of bits bitting advisor Matt Waterworth from Bits n Bridles explains all about the Myler Loose Ring Comfort snaffle. Read on to find out what sort of horses it suits the best.
What is it?
The snaffle is one of the most commonly used types of equine bit. This version from Myler has loose (unfixed) rings and a barrel centre.
How it works
This bit acts mainly on the bars of the mouth and the lips. The bits have a forward cut shape that allows it to follow the mouth conformation and take some pressure off the tongue. The barrel centre stops the bit from collapsing fully but still has some flexibility which stops the bit from putting too much pressure on the palate.
What’s it good for?
Loose ring bits help the horse to position the bit where they like it unlike fixed bits such as the eggbutt or hanging cheek snaffle. The Myler Comfort Snaffle is relatively thin so in horses that have large tongues it gives them more room in the mouth and follows the mouth conformation nicely with its shape. With no point pressure on the palate horses with low palates tend to like this kind of bit.
What type of horses does it suit?
The Myler Comfort snaffle suits many breeds and types. Warmbloods or large cobs like the extra room the thin shaped mouthpiece gives while Thoroughbreds often go well in this kind of bit as they like stillness in the mouth and the lack of the pressure on the palate.
Horses that are heavy on the hand can sometimes have a tendancy to lean on this bit as it isn’t as loose in the mouth as some. Additionally this is a thinner bit so can be sharper than those with a thicker mouthpiece.
Have you got a bitting question for Matt? Contact him via his website or follow him on twitter at @thebitexpert