What is "snaffle bit"

Snaffle \Snaf"fle\, n. [D. snavel a beak, bill, snout; akin to G. schnabel, OHG. snabul,. sneb, snebbe, OFries. snavel mouth, Dan. & Sw. snabel beak, bill, Lith. snapas, and to E. snap, v. See Snap, and cf. Neb.] A kind of bridle bit, having a joint in the part to be placed in the mouth, and rings and cheek pieces at the ends, but having no curb; -- called also snaffle bit.

n. a simple jointed bit for a horse; without a curb [syn: snaffle]

A snaffle bit is the most common type of bit used while riding horses. It consists of a bit mouthpiece with a ring on either side and acts with direct pressure. A bridle utilizing only a snaffle bit is often called a "snaffle bridle," particularly in the English riding disciplines. A bridle that carries two bits, a curb bit and a snaffle, or "bradoon," is called a double bridle.

A snaffle is not necessarily a bit with a jointed bit mouthpiece, as is often thought. A bit is a snaffle because it creates direct pressure without leverage on the mouth. It is a bit without a shank. Therefore, a single- or double-jointed mouthpiece, though the most common designs for snaffle bits, does not make a bit a snaffle. Even a mullen mouth (a solid, slightly curved bar) or a bar bit is a snaffle.