use of snaffle bit

Question
I have  a Parelli snaffle bridel set with o ring snaffle and  slobber straps. i have read your responses on use of 1 reign for stopping etc. vs 2  How do U properly use the snaffle for backing a horse up and whats the best way to use it for side pass??

thanks john

Answer
Hi John,
I use a snaffle bit in the beginning stages of teaching a horse to accept a bit and to learn to move off the bit. I don't move to another bit until they completely accept and I can move all the body parts softly with a snaffle. This could take up to a year. But that is not to say you can't ride a horse in a snaffle it's whole life. Nothing wrong with that. But if you ever wish to show your horse in any competition, you will have to transition out of the snaffle.
To teach a horse to back with a snaffle, I follow this rule. NEVER use both reins at the same time. I sit down deep in my pockets in the saddle. Stay balanced in the saddle. Do not lean one way or the other. I place my feet just a little forward (not much). I then pull back on ONE rein towards my waist while leaving the other slack. It is more of a bump than a pull. Then I do the same with the other rein. One rein, then the other. Never both at the same time. If the horse even rocks back, I release and reward with a pet. This is my starting point. The next step is to get the horse to take a full step back. I just want one step and release and reward. I keep building on this until the horse will take multiple steps back. After the horse has this down, I can then move on to bumping him back with both reins.
Side passing is a little more difficult. I start from the ground. I first get the horse to move it's front shoulder and step over to one side. Then I move to the hind on the same side and get him to move that. Then back to the front. After the horse can do this, I move to the saddle. I use a fence or a wall to aid me and keep the horse from moving forward.
If moving to the left, I first slightly pull the head to the right. Bump him just a little with the left leg a little forward of where your leg normally hangs. When the horse steps to the right, stop and reward. Now, move your left leg back and do then same to get the horse to move it's hind over the the right. Stop and reward. Keep doing this until he does it consistently. As time goes on you can speed up the process and soon the horse will be side passing down the fence. After a while, you can move away from the fence and do it in the open. Don't hurry this. It takes some time and patience to teach a horse to side pass.
Good luck and have fun.