Eggbutt Snaffle: A Quiet Bit in the Mouth for a Steady Contact

Eggbutt Snaffle: quiet and kind to the lips

On an eggbutt snaffle, the rings are fixed in barrel-shaped sleeves on the mouthpiece. This means the bit lies more quietly in the mouth than a loose ring snaffle, and the rings cannot pinch the corners of the mouth. We stock BUSSE eggbutt snaffles in KAUGAN, KAUGAN-SHAPED, stainless steel and FLEXI, Waldhausen anatomic, Cyprium, pony and Baucher models, beris KONNEX and medium and a Kerbl eggbutt snaffle in 18 mm.

Which horses suit an eggbutt

Horses that play with the bit a lot or are fidgety in the mouth often go more contentedly in an eggbutt. Young horses also benefit from the still position, because the aids come through clearly. If you have a horse that hardly chews, on the other hand, the more mobile loose ring snaffle may be the better option. So there is no better or worse, only a bit that suits your horse or one that does not.

Mouthpieces and materials

Single-jointed, double-jointed and anatomically shaped mouthpieces each act differently on the tongue and bars. Flexible models such as FLEXI give way under pressure. Copper alloys such as Cyprium or KAUGAN have a slight taste and encourage many horses to chew. The Baucher looks similar but has a fixed cheek that holds the bit in place in the mouth, so it lies even more still.

Frequently asked questions

Does an eggbutt snaffle need bit guards?
Usually not, because the eggbutt does not pinch the corners of the mouth. For very sensitive skin, or if the bit rubs, guards can still make sense. First check that the width is right, though.

How wide should an eggbutt snaffle be?
A little narrower than a loose ring snaffle, because the fixed eggbutts do not rub at the sides. Around half a centimetre of room on each side is enough. A bit that is too wide slides around and presses on the bars.

Is an eggbutt snaffle harsher than a loose ring?
No, the severity comes from the mouthpiece and the rider's hand, not from the ring shape. The eggbutt just lies more quietly. Many horses find this pleasant because the bit does not rattle in the mouth.