EGGBUT SNAFFLE.

This is probably the most common type of snaffle bit. It is comfortable for a horse because the smooth joints at either en prevent pinching of the mouth and the lips, the bars (the part of the mouth where the bit lies) and the tongue.

LOOSE-RING SNAFFLE.

The loose rings at either end of this snaffle allow movement of the bit in the mouth, encouraging a pony to relax his jaw. As with the eggbut, it works on the bars of the mouth.

DOUBLE-JOINTED SNAFFLE.

This bit has a plate in the middle which rests on the pony's tongue. It is quite mild and can help to relax a pony with a stiff jaw.

STRAIGHT-BAR SNAFFLE.

The 'straight-bar' snaffle has a simple action, working on the tongue and lips. It can be uncomfortable for a pony as the tongue can be squashed between the bit and the bars.
For this reason the mild 'mulled-mouth' (half-moon) snaffle tends to be more popular. 'Half-moon' refers to the slight curve in the bit for the tongue to rest under.

SNAFFLE WITH CHEEKS.

Some bits have 'cheeks' at the end of the mouthpiece, making the bit look like a capital 'H'. There stop the bit being pulled through the mouth from one side to the other.
When the top half of the cheeks are secured to the cheekpieces of the bridle with leather 'keepers', there is little movement of the bit in the mouth.

Pelhams are a cross between a snaffle bridle and a double bridle. The idea is to combine the refinement of a double bridle (keeping the pony's poll supple and the jaw relaxed) with the mild snaffle action. A double bridle has two bits and two sets of reins to give greater control. A Pelham combines these two bits into one.

PELHAM ROUNDINGS.

A Pelham should be used with double reins, but, leather 'roundings' can be attached to both bit rings to allow the use of single reins.

THE KIMBELWICK.

This is a single-rein Pelham with a fairly severe action. The 'tongue groove' in the middle allows room for the tongue to sit comfortably.