Double Twisted Wire Full Cheek Bit

A Full Cheek bit (also called a "Full Cheek Snaffle") is a fixed-cheek bit design with long, straight bars (cheekpieces) extending both above and below the mouthpiece ring on each side.

Design

• The mouthpiece sits on rings, similar to a standard snaffle, but rigid bars extend upward and downward from these rings, parallel to the horse's face.
• The upper bars typically have small "keepers" or loops through which the bridle's cheekpieces can be attached, holding the bars upright and flat against the face.
• The reins attach either to the main ring itself or sometimes through slots in the cheek bars, depending on the design.
• Unlike a loose-ring snaffle, the mouthpiece cannot slide side-to-side through the horse's mouth because the fixed cheeks prevent it.

Function

• Framed, stable feel: The sidepieces give the bit a "framed" quality in the mouth, helping the horse feel steady and secure in the contact.
• Lateral/turning support: The long cheek bars act as a visual and physical guide. When rein pressure is applied on one side (e.g., in a turn), the opposite cheek bar presses gently against the side of the horse's face, reinforcing the turning aid. This makes it especially useful for steering and bending, and helps keep the horse's shoulders in place through turns.
• Prevents pulling through the mouth: The bars stop the bit from sliding sideways or being pulled through the mouth, which can happen with loose-ring snaffles on horses that evade contact by turning their head sharply or leaning on one rein.
• Protects the mouth corners: The fixed sidepieces prevent the mouthpiece from pinching or rubbing at the corners of the mouth, a common irritation with bits that can slide or rotate more freely.
• Mouthpiece stability: Because the cheeks are fixed, the bit sits more quietly and predictably in the mouth compared to a loose-ring design.
• No poll leverage: Like the Baucher, the Full Cheek has no lower shank/curb chain combination, so it does not create true leverage or added poll pressure — it acts on the same direct, non-leverage principle as any snaffle.

What it's good for

• Green or young horses: The visual/physical cheek support helps teach steering and lateral cues, since the horse gets a clear tactile signal from the cheek bar pressing against its face during a turn. It's considered a great, comfortable starting bit for a youngster.
• Horses that struggle with straightness: The lateral guidance helps riders reinforce direction, useful for horses that tend to drift, bulge through a shoulder, or evade turning aids.
• Horses that root or lean, or try to pull the bit through their mouth: The fixed cheeks resist this kind of evasion better than a loose-ring.
• Horses with sensitive mouth corners: The stability and corner protection make it a comfortable option for horses prone to rubbing or pinching.
• Driving/harness horses: Full cheeks are traditional in driving because they help prevent the bit sliding through the mouth when direct rein contact isn't always available (as with long driving reins), and offer better steering cues without a rider's leg aids.
• Young horses in lunging or early ridden work: Often used with "bit keepers" (small loops connecting the upper cheek to the browband/headstall) specifically to reinforce the "give and take" steering response horses are taught early on.

Competition legality

The Full Cheek is FEI-approved, including for dressage, making it a permitted option at all levels of affiliated competition.

A note on safety

Full cheek bits carry a practical risk: the protruding cheek bars can catch on equipment, fencing, or other objects. For this reason, they're almost always used with bit keepers — small leather loops attaching the upper cheek to the bridle's cheekpiece — to keep the bars stable and reduce the chance of snagging.

Summary

The Full Cheek is valued for its steering/lateral assistance, mouth stability, and comfort, making it a popular, FEI-legal choice for young horses learning directional cues, horses needing extra straightness support, or driving horses — rather than for any leverage or "stronger" stopping power, since mechanically it functions as a direct-pressure snaffle.

Twisted Wire, Single-Jointed, Stainless Steel Bit (Double Wire)

Design

• Single-jointed: One joint sits at the center of the mouthpiece, creating the classic "nutcracker" action when rein pressure is applied.
• Twisted wire: Rather than a smooth round or oval bar, the metal is twisted, creating a ridged, faceted surface rather than a smooth one.
• Two separate wires: Instead of one twisted bar per side, there are two thinner twisted wires running together, effectively doubling the number of ridges/edges that contact the tongue and bars compared to a standard single twisted wire mouthpiece.
• Stainless steel: A hard, unyielding, non-flavored metal. Unlike sweet iron or copper, stainless steel has no taste and doesn't encourage salivation through flavor — it's valued mainly for durability, low maintenance, and a hygienic, easy-to-clean surface.

Function

• Increased surface pressure/severity: The thinner wire diameter concentrates pressure into a smaller contact area than a smooth or single-wire mouthpiece, and the twisting adds a rough, "grippy" texture. With two wires instead of one, there are more ridges pressing into the tongue and bars simultaneously, intensifying the sensation further.
• Sharper, more defined signal: The nutcracker action combined with the twisted, doubled-wire texture creates a much more distinct, immediate sensation than a smooth mouthpiece, making it easier for a horse to feel even light rein aids.
• No leverage, but high mouth sensitivity: As a simple, single-jointed snaffle, it applies pure direct pressure (assuming it's on a snaffle-type ring) with no poll or curb action — but the severity comes entirely from the mouthpiece's texture and thinness rather than from leverage.
• Can encourage a horse to give more readily: Because the sensation is sharper, many horses respond more quickly and with a lighter rein aid than they might to a smooth mouthpiece — though this comes at the cost of comfort if used harshly.

What it's good for

• Strong horses that are dull or unresponsive to a smooth mouthpiece: The sharper, more textured contact can help "wake up" a horse that leans heavily or ignores milder bits.
• Riders needing a stronger stopping/turning aid without adding leverage: Since it remains a snaffle (no shank), it increases severity through mouthpiece design rather than mechanical leverage — useful where a leverage bit isn't wanted or permitted (e.g., some snaffle-only competition classes).
• Short-term or occasional use rather than daily riding: Because of its sharper action, it's generally recommended as a training or problem-solving tool for specific situations (e.g., a strong cross-country horse, or correcting a leaning issue) rather than an everyday bit for prolonged, continuous use.
• Experienced riders with quiet, tactful hands: Given the increased severity, it requires a rider who can apply light, precise aids — heavy or careless use can cause significant mouth discomfort, bruising, or resistance.

A note on severity

• This is considered one of the more severe snaffle mouthpieces available (short of adding leverage), due to the combination of:
• Thin wire diameter (concentrates pressure)
• Twisted texture (adds "bite" rather than smooth pressure)
• Doubled wires (roughly doubling the ridged contact points compared to a single twisted wire)
• It's generally not recommended for green, young, or sensitive-mouthed horses, and many trainers advise using it only as a short-term measure rather than a long-term daily bit, to avoid desensitizing or damaging the mouth.

Competition legality

Rules vary by discipline and governing body — some competitions restrict or outright prohibit twisted wire mouthpieces (particularly doubled or very thin versions) due to welfare concerns, so it's worth checking specific rulebooks (e.g., FEI, USEF, breed/discipline associations) before use in competition.

Summary

This bit is a highly textured, direct-pressure snaffle mouthpiece that significantly increases mouth sensitivity through its thin, twisted, doubled-wire construction — useful as a training aid for strong or dull horses that need a sharper, clearer signal, but requiring an experienced, tactful rider and generally best used sparingly rather than as an everyday bit.