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.