@Knights_Mom - you have a curb in the top picture, and a shanked snaffle in the bottom one. A shank does not a curb make - which I think is your point. What makes a bit a snaffle is the fact that the cheek pieces are not affixed to the mouth piece as they are on a curb. The joint in the center also doesn’t necessarily make it a snaffle, because you can have a mullenmouth snaffle with no joint. Ghazzu, is incorrect. A leverage bit? Yes. A curb? No.
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Nope, that’s wrong too. Western people put curb chains on snaffles. (It makes me bloody crazy!) When I have asked why, I always get the same answer - it prevents the rider from pulling the bit through the horse’s mouth. WTAF? Seriously? Please don’t ever direct rein so hard that you pull the bit through his mouth, D rings and all! Cheese and rice!
As I described earlier, you can have a snaffle with shanks. But the shanks cannot be fixed in place like they are on a curb.
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Per the Western Dressage Association of America Rulebook:
(bolding mine)
…
.
Snaffle Bits:
• A snaffle bit may be used on a horse of any age being ridden at any level.
• A rider must use two hands with a snaffle bit.
• A snaffle bit offers no leverage or curb action and does not have shanks of any configuration.
• A standard snaffle is a conventional O-ring, egg butt, full cheek (keepers optional) or D-ring, all with rings having an outside diameter no smaller than 2 inches (50.8 mm), nor larger than 4 inches (101.6 mm). The inside of the circumference of the ring must be free of rein, curb or headstall attachments that would provide leverage
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There is a difference between a curb chain or strap and a “slobber strap”. As you said, the latter is to keep the bit from pulling through. The curb chain or strap is adjusted more closely and helps create the leverage for the shanked bit.
https://afs.ca.uky.edu/horse-discovery/bits
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Correct. From the Western Dressage Rule book. That is not, however, an accurate definition of a snaffle bit. That’s from the rule book and applies to bits being used in competition. This from the same rule book that gives us “light” contact on a curb, which is what started this bit conversation. This from the same discipline that thinks a snaffle bit needs a curb chain. So, while I appreciate your post, I think your source is incorrect. Just MHO.
A pelham bit combines elements of both a snaffle and a curb bit into one mouthpiece. It has shanks, therefore leverage, but the shanks are not fixed, so it’s both.
As to the concept of “shanked snaffle,” I stand corrected in that the reins are attached to the shank, providing leverage, and that makes the bit a curb, as you stated. 
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Slobber straps connect the bit to the reins. They do not pass under the jaw.
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I wasn’t trying to write a universal description of a snaffle bit.
I was merely pointing out that both bits in the examples shown were leverage bits, therefore curb bits.
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I see what you mean on the right. What is happening on the left? I’ve looked so closely I started by seeing a buckle and now I see a screaming man in an inner tube.
ETA:
OMG I’m going to leave this because it is kind of funny, but it is a leather curb strap (with buckle) and the rein with slobber guard from the other side
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Oops, yes, the rein attachments. I guess I thought they were called that because I generally saw the setup pictured that included the snaffle with the chin strap.
Not surprising–it’s even that setup in the photo I used.
Are you describing a gag? A snaffle is a bit where the only action on the mouth is uninterrupted from the hand via the rein. If you apply 1 lb of pressure on the rein, the horse feels 1 lb of pressure on the mouth. There cannot be any separate action of the bit.
If anyone starts trying to tell me a Baucher applies pressure on the poll, so help me god…
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Speaking of gadgets… Today at a 5* GP in Doha today there was a lady Justina Vanagaite who scored just a bit shy of 70% riding without spurs. I’m not saying that dressage needs to turn into a circus but it would be nice to see these sorts of things being rewarded and recognised by judges. And these are exactly the sort of examples we need to regain the SLO.
And perhaps if dressage really is to showcase the connection the rider and the horse has we could start by permitting people to ride without the double (or any bit for that matter) if the riders feel like they don’t need it. Just food for thought.
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Oh I bet you felt good typing this. To what end? What did you wish to accomplish?
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What is the purpose of a slobber strap? I’m unfamiliar with them. Thanks
No, it’s frustrating to me to argue about the correct terminology and use of tack used everyday in dressage training. Especially when we’re trying to talk about what tack or training aids are abusive and which are not AND the knowledge base of the general public. So it becomes tiring to discuss these things when I generally consider CotH to be a very knowledgeable place and want to read actual discussion between knowledgeable people about a very serious issue in our sport.
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A slobber strap gives the horse a heads up before the rein is touched. It has weight, so the horse feels the movement when the rider lifts it.
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Dunno how we got here, but western riders use the chin strap with the snaffle the same way dressage riders use a full cheek or noseband when first breaking a horse, to keep a young horse from being confused by the bit and it ending up in their mouths. No matter how well you educate them, if you ride in open country, one might end up spinning and deciding to leave, at which point it would be nice if the whole apparatus wasn’t inside their mouths. The noseband was invented so they wouldn’t break their jaws if they landed cross country and had their mouths open.
Anyway it is still not a curb bit, which is any bit with a curb action (despite the mouthpiece). A snaffle is a direct hand to mouth action and a curb acts on the poll and chin groove. A gag acts upward on the lips.
Not sure what this has to do with anything at all.
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So insulting me improved things how?
Nothing I said was controversial other than generalizations and nuances of bit terminology. I’m sorry YOU are tired but I’ve never discussed bits before on this forum.
We’re all twiddling our thumbs discussing various minutiae while waiting for updates or developments pertinent to the original topic. That’s all. Usual CotH forums stuff.
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When I rode Western, eons ago, I always thought that slobber straps (which I have never ridden with) on a snaffle bridle, had the same purpose as rein chains on a curb bridle (which I have ridden with.)
As well as having a signal component rein chains were used on ranch horses to protect the rawhide romal reins from getting wet when the horse drank water with the bridle on. They carried over to the show ring because it was the custom to use them with romal reins.
I have no idea if people still use them or not.
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