On a loose ring snaffle the rings run through holes in the ends of the mouthpiece, so the mouthpiece can turn and slide a little on its own. That small amount of play is the reason to choose one. A horse that leans, or locks his jaw and pulls, finds it hard to brace against a bit that keeps moving, and the movement tends to encourage a soft, chewing mouth.
Who it suits. The loose ring is a good starting point for most horses in flatwork and an obvious choice for one that sets against a fixed bit. A horse that is worried, or still learning what the bit means, can find all that movement unsettling. For him, a fixed eggbutt or a still hanging cheek is usually the better start.
Steering. A loose ring gives slightly less help on a turn than a fixed cheek. If you want the play of a loose ring with more steering, look at the Fulmer in our full cheek and Fulmer range, which puts loose rings outside long cheeks. A D-ring steers better still but is fixed.
Mouthpieces. Every common snaffle mouthpiece comes on a loose ring, and ring size varies too, from standard rings to the large rings of race snaffles. Our guides to snaffle cheeks and Waterford bits are worth reading if your horse leans hard.
Measuring. Measure the mouthpiece from the inside of one ring hole to the inside of the other on a bit that fits. Leave out the rings themselves. If you have nothing to copy, mark a length of dowel at each lip corner and measure between the marks.
Fitting. A loose ring needs a little room so the rings can turn without catching the lips: no more than an eighth of an inch either side, measured from the lip corner to the hole. Too wide is a common mistake, and a bit that slides across the mouth on every change of bend rubs the corners. Check the holes now and then, as worn ones can pinch. Rubber bit guards help a horse with sensitive lip corners.
Many of the metal loose rings can go out on our 30 day trial, so you can find out whether the movement suits your horse before you buy. Non-metal ones are sold outright. Ring 01405 861800 for help with sizing.
It gives a mobile bit that a horse finds hard to lean on or brace against. It often helps a horse that sets his jaw or pulls, and it encourages the horse to mouth the bit softly.
On a loose ring the rings run through holes, so the mouthpiece can move. On an eggbutt the ring is fixed, so the bit stays still and cannot pinch. Leaners tend to go better in the loose ring; fussy horses tend to prefer the eggbutt.
They can if the bit is too narrow or the holes have worn. Fit it with a little clearance either side and use rubber bit guards if needed.
No more than an eighth of an inch either side, measured from the corner of the lip to the hole the ring passes through. Any more and the bit slides across the mouth.
Not sure of the width? How to measure a horse bit