Equine Bits, There's Many Choices

Choose the Right One for Your Horse

The mouthpiece of the equine bit rest on the "bars" of the horse's mouth between the incisors and the back molars.  Bits are designed to work by pressure, not pain. Depending on the style of the equine bit, pressure can be brought to bear on the bars, tongue, and roof of the horse's mouth, as well as the lips, chin groove and poll. Bits offer varying degrees of control and communication between rider and horse depending upon their design and on the skill of the rider. It is important that the style of equine bit is appropriate to the horse's needs and is fitted properly for it to function properly and be comfortable for the horse. A hard-handed rider can make even the mildest bit painful, and a skilled, light-handed rider can ride in a much harsher mouthpiece without damaging the mouth or causing any distress to the horse.

Develop Gentle Rein Pressure

Factors to Consider

The length of the shanks on a curb bit are a big factor as to the severity. If the shanks are long you will have more leverage, therefore creating more pressure on the bars with a slight pull of the reins. The shorter the shanks of the equine bit, the less severe the bit is on the mouth due to less leverage.  Snaffles are usually considered to be a mild bit and are usually used in training. They provide direct contact on the corners of the mouth and bars when pressure is applied to the reins. The bars of the horse’s mouth are very sensitive and should be handled with care to keep them that way. Some equine bits are made with sweet iron or copper to cause more salivation keeping the bars soft and more sensitive. The gentlest type of snaffle bit is the Eggbutt snaffle. The name comes from the somewhat egg-shaped connection between the mouthpiece and the bit-ring.  This equine bit is designed so that it doesn’t pinch the horse’s mouth. A bit like the Tom Thumb have small shanks along with a broken mouthpiece. Because of the shanks it is considered a curb bit but is often confused as a snaffle due to the broken mouthpiece. This bit was originally used as a transition bit from a snaffle to a curb but has proven not to be a good transition bit because of the many places it applies pressure it often confuses the young horse. Many people use it with a direct rein and is best used with a neck rein. This bit should be used on a well-trained horse with an experienced rider.  Below are some general functions of different bit and things to consider before purchasing a bit.
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• Direct pressure bits without leverage:
  • Snaffle bit: Uses a bit ring at the mouthpiece to apply direct pressure on the bars, tongue and corner of the mouth.
    
• Leverage bits:
  • Curb bit: A bit that uses a type of lever called a shank that puts pressure not only on the mouth, but also on the poll and chin groove. 
  • Pelham bit: A single curb bit with two sets of reins attached to rings at the mouthpiece and end of the shank. Partly combines snaffle and curb pressure.
  • Kimberwicke: A hybrid design that uses a slight amount of mild curb leverage on a bit ring by use of set rein placement on the ring
• Non-curb leverage designs: 
  • Gag bit: A bit that, depending on design, may outwardly resemble a snaffle or a curb, but with added slots or rings that provide leverage by sliding the bit up in the horse's mouth, a very severe design.
  • Chifney Anti-Rearing Bit: This is a circular-shaped bit with three rings and a port or straight mouthpiece used when leading horses. The port or straight piece goes inside the mouth, and the circular part lies under the jaw. The bit is attached to separate headpiece or the head collar and the lead is clipped onto the bit and head collar to limit the severity.