Dishonest way to acquire piece of riding gear (7)

I believe the answer is:

snaffle

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'gear' is the definition.
(I know that snaffle is a type of bit)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for snaffle that I've seen before include "A bit; filch" , "Illicitly take" , "Kind of bit - take without permission" , "Pinch" , "bit for the horse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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