Bridge the Gap from Ring Snaffle to Leverage Bit with Confidence When you're ready to introduce your horse to shanked bits but want to maintain the soft, direct communication of a snaffle, the Professional's Choice Laramie Snaffle delivers exactly that balance. The 6 ½" swept-back shanks with a unique teardrop rein loop give your horse a pre-signal before the bit fully engages — they feel the weight shift first, making for smoother transitions and less confusion in the mouth. The 5 1/8" sweet iron mouthpiece with copper inlays offers that "Standard Plus" width many stock horses need to avoid lip pinching, while the natural oxidation encourages salivation and a relaxed, responsive mouth. Built for riders moving horses from direct reining to neck reining, this bit respects your horse's learning curve without rushing the process. Why Riders Choose the Laramie Snaffle Pre-signal teardrop loop — Rein weight slides through the loop before the bit engages, giving your horse a moment to respond before pressure arrives — no abrupt pulls or confusion. Sweet iron mouthpiece with copper inlays — The 5 1/8" two-piece mouthpiece rusts slightly over time, creating a palatable taste that encourages salivation and keeps the mouth soft and moist. Standard Plus width for stock horses — That extra 1/8" prevents shank-to-lip rubbing on wider-mouthed Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas — a common pain point with standard 5" bits. Moderate leverage with lateral flex — The 6 ½" swept-back shanks offer enough leverage to introduce collection and poll pressure, while the jointed mouthpiece maintains the lateral control you need for bending and turning. Ideal for transitional training — Helps horses understand the shift from direct pull to neck reining without the harshness of jumping straight to a solid curb bit. Best For Western trainers and riders looking for a forgiving transition bit that introduces leverage and neck-reining cues while preserving soft, responsive communication. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why is sweet iron better than stainless steel for this bit? Sweet iron naturally oxidizes and creates a taste horses find appealing, which promotes salivation and keeps the mouth moist. A moist mouth is a soft, responsive mouth — it's a night-and-day difference with horses that tend to brace or go dry. The Professional's Choice Laramie Snaffle uses this material to encourage relaxation during the transition to leverage. Q: How do I know if my horse needs the 5 1/8" width instead of a standard 5"? If your horse has a wider muzzle or you've noticed lip rubbing or pinching with standard bits, the extra 1/8" makes a real difference. Most Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas do better with this "Standard Plus" sizing — it's subtle, but it prevents discomfort at the corners of the mouth. Q: Can I use this bit on a green horse just starting under saddle? This bit is designed for horses ready to move beyond a basic ring snaffle — typically after they understand direct reining and are ready for the next step. For a truly green horse, start with a simple O-ring or D-ring snaffle, then introduce the Laramie once they're ready for shanked bit work and neck reining. Q: What's the purpose of the teardrop rein loop? The teardrop loop allows the rein to slide and shift weight before the bit actually engages on the horse's mouth. It's a "heads-up" signal that gives your horse a split second to respond before pressure arrives — making for softer stops, better collection, and less resistance during training.
