Meaning & use
a snaffle
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Meaning
nouncountablespecialist
A basic metal mouthpiece for a horse, with a single pair of reins and no levers or shanks.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a snaffle' or 'two snaffles'. It is often used with 'bit': a snaffle bit.
Patterns
- a snaffle bit
- ride in a snaffle
- use a snaffle on a horse
The young horse was ridden in a simple snaffle to help it accept the contact.
She changed from a curb bit to a snaffle for the dressage test.
A snaffle applies direct pressure and is gentle enough for most novice riders.
Word forms
| plural | snaffles |
|---|
Common combinations
- snaffle bit
- He bought a new snaffle bit for his pony.
- ride in a snaffle
- Most beginners ride in a snaffle.
- loose-ring snaffle
- A loose-ring snaffle is common for show jumping.
- double-jointed snaffle
- The double-jointed snaffle is kinder on the horse's tongue.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bit
- The general word for any mouthpiece; 'snaffle' is a specific type.
Commonly confused: a snaffle or snaffle (verb)?
a snaffle vs snaffle (verb)
As a verb, 'snaffle' means to take something quickly or steal it (informal). Do not confuse with the noun for the horse's bit.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'snaffle' correctly as a noun?
Choose one answer.
Only 'snaffle' as a noun refers to the horse's bit. The other options use 'snaffle' as a verb meaning to take quickly, which is a different sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a snaffle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.