Snaffle Bit
According to contemporary equestrian manuals, the mouthpiece of this strong snaffle bit was made for very bad mouths, very thick tongues and low bars (part of the horses’ jaw without teeth). The central pendant, adorned with a pierced interlaced motif, with its small hanging beads, was meant to ‘entertain’ the horse, who, by playing with it with its tongue, would salivate and relax its jaw.
Such strong mouthpieces are unusual on snaffles. This one may have been used on a sleigh horse.
The snaffle bit is the simplest type of horse bit, and it has an effect on the bars and the corners of the lips. The rings on the sides would serve to hang the bit on the headstall and attach the reins, while the cheekpieces would help to hold the mouthpiece in place and would press the sides of the mouth when the reins are pulled.
Such strong mouthpieces are unusual on snaffles. This one may have been used on a sleigh horse.
The snaffle bit is the simplest type of horse bit, and it has an effect on the bars and the corners of the lips. The rings on the sides would serve to hang the bit on the headstall and attach the reins, while the cheekpieces would help to hold the mouthpiece in place and would press the sides of the mouth when the reins are pulled.
Artwork Details
- Title: Snaffle Bit
- Date: ca. 1600
- Culture: German
- Medium: Iron alloy, tin
- Dimensions: H. 5 in. (12.7 cm); W. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm); Wt. 15.3 oz. (433.7 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Bits
- Credit Line: Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
- Object Number: 42.50.510
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1525
German
ca. 1450
German, Augsburg
ca. 1560–70
German
ca. 1535
Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1525 and later
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