Snaffles can be used for all sorts of equestrian activities and can be straight bar, jointed or double jointed. The number of joints has a influence on which areas of the mouth the bit works on e.g.

• A straight bar will work on the lips, bars of the mouth and tongue.
• A single jointed has what is known as a 'nutcracker' action which means that when the rein are pulled the tongue is squeezed as the bit closes. A single jointed aslo works on the bars of the mouth and the lips.
• A double jointed doen not have a nutcracker action. It works on the bars and the lips.

There can also be a variation on the types of rings which link the bridle to the bit. These can be:

• Fixed to prevent pinching
• Loose to allow more movement
• D ring to help prevent the bit from being pulled through the mouth and to aid steering
• Full check which has full sides to help with steering and is fixed to prevent pinching
• Fulmer which has full sides to help wih steering and loose ring to allow more movement
• Hanging check to prevent the horse from getting its tongue over the bit due to the fact the bit is suspended in the horse's mouth.

As you can see, there are a myriad of of different options, but there are some general guidelines regarding snaffles e.g. the thicker the mouth piece is, the milder the bit and any uneven surface inside the mouth increases severitity.