Bridle or Snaffle: Which choice for your horse? Guide & Sizes

Discover the Smart Wag size guide to choose the right bridle for your horse.

Choosing the right size bridle is essential to ensure the best possible comfort et le well-being of your horse. An ill-fitting bridle can cause pressure points, hinder communication between rider and horse and affect performance.

Here's a guide to choosing the right bridle for your horse: 

Sizes explained:

Pony size Designed for ponies and small horses with reduced proportions to avoid discomfort. The headpiece and noseband are adapted to shorter, slimmer heads. Generally suitable for B and C ponies.

Cob size Ideal for horses with thin and/or short heads. The uprights and headpiece are slightly longer than the Pony size. Generally suitable for Cob ponies and Thoroughbred horses.

Full size Standard for most medium-sized horses, such as saddle horses (Selle Français, Selle Suisse...). 

Size X-Full Intended for horses with a larger head, of the half-trait type, or for non-standard horses. 

The different types of bridle 

Choosing a bridle is not just a question of size. It is also important to consider the type of headpiece and noseband according to the morphological needs of the horse and the discipline practised. (Some competition rules are restrictive in terms of the equipment used).

The different headrests and their use

Straight faceplate / Classic faceplate Standard model used in most disciplines. Often recommended for a narrow headstall, it is often suitable for round, muscular horses.

Anatomical headrest Designed to avoid pressure points on the cervical vertebrae, thanks to a special cut-out. 

Offset headrest It rests on the first cervical vertebra, which bears pressure less well than the occiput (nape of the neck). It should only be chosen on the recommendation of a bitfitter or bridlefitter.

The different nosebands and their use

French noseband Noseband: This is a simple noseband, without noseband. It is generally flat or slightly curved, more or less wide depending on the model, and can be doubled for greater comfort. It allows the horse's jaw to be slightly framed for better contact with the bit.

Combined noseband Combined with a French noseband thanks to an additional strap (noseband), it can in some cases provide greater stability for the bit by limiting mendibular movement. Specific, it is advisable not to choose it without the advice of a professional.

Cross noseband X-positioned on the muzzle, it is particularly used in cross-country and endurance riding to clear the horse's airways during intense effort. However, it severely limits jaw mobility. 

German noseband Passing in front of the bit, eIt can be used in the precise case where the bit touches the horse's canines when there is no contact on the reins. This happens in particular when there is little space between the premolars and the canines. It is advisable to select it with the help of a professional.

Depending on your horse's sensitivity and preferences, it is important to test different models to find the one that suits him best.

We advise you to consult a bitfitter / bridlefitter to choose the bridle best suited to your horse.