A relatively recent innovation in snaffle cheeks, the wing bit offers extensive protection at the corners of the horse’s mouth by having winged plates on the ends of the mouthpiece that curve around the side of the mouth. Essentially acting like a bit guard, these metal plates ensure that the rings of the bit do not rub or pinch against the sides of the horse’s mouth. This type of wing is typically seen with a loose ring style of arrangement, where the ring slides through sleeves on the outer sides of the wing plates. In this respect, it is similar to the loose ring eggbutt hybrid. These type of cheeks allow the bit to have the benefit of the loose ring action, namely the bit is able to move with the tongue and jaw somewhat independently from the rein pressure on the rings, without the possible drawback of pinching at the corners of the mouth. This bit is particularly useful with horses that have very sensitive lips, loose skin around the mouth, or a tendency to develop sores around the mouth.
Because the ring is running through a sleeve, which due to its length must necessarily curve in the shape of the ring, it is not able to move quite as freely as a true loose ring snaffle. However, compared to an eggbutt or a dee ring, it certainly allows the bit more freedom while at the same time protecting the mouth. This type of bit has also been seen with a loose ring gag option.