Proper Bit Fit: Snaffle/Hack Combo

Today will be discussing the snaffle/hackamore combo bit.  This bit is a favorite with riders that do speed events such as barrel racing, pole bending, or cowboy mounted shooting. This bit provides rate and lift for the horse as well as a little more stop. We have to remember any bit can be harsh in  the hands that it is in, but this bit should be used by an experienced rider that has quiet hands.

Combo bit front view

Combo bit side view

The bit that I am using for an example is a bit that features a twisted wire sweet iron snaffle with a gag action as well as a rope nose. The blue is vet wrap that has been wrapped around the nose band to provide protection to the nose of the horse. This bit is good for a horse that has a tendency to drop their shoulders and/or  does not possess a lot of natural rate. The snaffle and gag action is the first to engage, allowing the horse to think about slowing down before the hack engages pressure on the nose. The chain chin strap thus engages putting pressure on the bars of the mouth from the snaffle and the action of the hack that is common in most mechanical hackamores. It may be helpful before you introduce this bit to your horse is to introduce your horse to the action of a gag bit and then to the action of a regular mechanical hackamore such as the "Little S" hack so that the horse is not frightened by this bit.

To properly fit a bridle with this bit it is common to use a smaller headstall than one that you would use with a snaffle or curb or at least a very good adjustable headstall. Remember the first part of fitting this bridle is that the cheek piece should fit against the cheek of the horse with two fingers width between. 

Proper width between the cheek and cheek piece-Two fingers width.

Bit properly fitted to the horse. 

When the bridle is fitted correctly, the bit should sit in the horse's mouth like a regular snaffle should. Most of the attention should be placed on the hack component of the bridle because this is where most of the stopping power is contained. 

The hackamore component of this bridle has the power to break or seriously damage the soft cartilage and nerves of the nose. So proper placement is a must. When fitting the rope nose, first you need to find where the cartilage of the nose ends and the bone begins. To find this, use your thumb and forefinger to feel down the bridge of the nose. At the end of the bone, you will feel it narrow as you get farther down towards the nostrils. Find where the bone starts to narrow and place your fingers there.

Finding where the bone begins in the nose. 

Once you find where the bone begins, the rope nose should lay at least two fingers width above where you have marked with your fingers. 

Two fingers width between the end of the bone of the nose to the rope nose. 

Often horses with smaller muzzles, it is difficult to keep the hack in the proper position. It can be useful to tie a piece of leather from the rope nose to the headstall between the ears.

The chin strap should also be properly fitted to ensure that the bit functions as intended. As with all chin straps, two fingers should be easily inserted between the chin and in this case, the chain.

Two Fingers width between the chin and chain.

This can be a great bit for both training and competition in the right hands. I caution that this bit is a severe bit and should only be used on horses that are aged and finished. This bit can be great to use in training to make the horse a little more sensitive and reactive to aids and then compete in a regular gag or mechanical hack.  In competition, this bit helps the rider use minimal force to cue the horse which is great for the quick speed needed for speed events.

The snaffle/hack combo bit properly fitted.