I didn't read all the posts so someone might have answered this but, a shanked bit is a one-handed, neck reining bit. For barrel racing I would always use a shanked bit.
A snaffle is a 2 handed bit, I wouldn't use it for barrels. My bit of choice for barrels would be a medium port with medium to long shanks. I don't like that correction bit you posted for barrels.
Bits are my "thing". I have lots of them and I do my studies on each one.
Are you saying you neck rein around barrels?
Becky
I had a magazine one time that had tons of pictures of bits in it and very good descriptions of how they worked and what they were good for.
The correction bit I have I got for Belle when I was trail riding after studying that magazine. During CTR, they want you to let your horse stop and graze occasionally to keep gut sounds good. She got very bad about just decideing to graze whenever she felt like it:) The argentine snaffle I was useing was just not getting the job done, she could walk right thru it. I needed something with a little more bite. That bit did the trick, I never had to go stronger and it has worked well for all my horses on trail.
Your right tho, for arena work it just isn't that great, especially for Harley.
Becky
I think I'll just let you guys work through this while I have some breakfast and read ;~D