Differences Between English Horse Bits

Snaffle Bits

• Snaffle bits act with direct pressure on the horse's tongue and lips. They are the simplest type of English bit, though the shape of the cheekpieces and mouthpiece can vary, making the bit stronger. The basic snaffle bit has a single jointed mouthpiece and O-shaped or D-shaped cheekpieces. These bits are called an O-ring and D-ring snaffle, respectively. The snaffle bit is the go-to bit for almost every discipline, including hunter-jumper, English equitation and sometimes saddleseat. Because of its inherent gentleness, it is the starter bit for most horses, and may be modified as needs and responsiveness change.

Curb Bits

• Curb bits, otherwise known as leverage bits, have shanks coming off the mouth, instead of rings. These cheekpieces are the full length of the bit. Leverage bits apply additional pressure to the poll and chin groove, in addition to the horse's mouth. Mouthpieces can be solid or jointed, and sometimes employ a port, or raised center, to lesson pressure on the tongue. Curb bits allow the horse to feel very small signals from the rider, but can be much more painful than snaffle bits if in the wrong hands. True curb bits are more frequently used in Western riding than in English, but a mild curb bit like the Kimblewick, with an unjointed mouthpiece, D-rings, and a curb chain, may be used in horses that have discipline problems.

Hackamores

• Hackamores are considered bits, even though they don't have a mouthpiece. They are primarily used for horses with particularly sensitive mouths or that have dental problems. Though they might seem gentle, the can apply enormous amounts of pressure, that, when combined with the curb chain, can cause a lot of pain in the wrong hands. Hackamore work by applying pressure to the horse's nose, poll, and chin to transmit the rider's signals. They vary in cheek piece length and nose piece material. The nosepiece may be leather, leather-covered chain, or rope. The bit hobble, a chain between the two cheekpieces, keeps them from bending too far outwards.

Combination Bits

• Combination bits are generally used in very high levels of dressage, allowing the rider to give the horse imperceptible signals (one of the main points of dressage). They may employ two bits, like the double bridle, which puts both a snaffle and curb bit in the horse's mouth at the same time. Some bits, like the Pelham and Kimblewick, are combination bits because they apply both direct and leveraged pressure, even though they have only one mouthpiece. Both can have jointed or straight mouthpieces and use curb chains on the horse's chin.

Bit Fit and Dentistry

• The horse's bit rests on the bars of his mouth, the space between the front teeth and the molars. If you feel this area of a horse's mouth, it should be smooth. If it is rough or scarred, this means the horse has experienced some rough handling, and was hurt with a bit. The size of a horse's tongue affects the size of a bit. A horse with a large tongue--one that sticks out from his teeth--needs a smaller bit than a horse with a normal tongue. The roof of the horse's mouth, also known as the hard palate, plays a role in the fit of the bit. A horse with a high arch in the roof of his hard palate can use a bit with a high port, while a horse with a flatter roof cannot. One of the most important parts of bit comfort is the horse's dental care. He should see a veterinarian every six months to have his teeth checked and floated (smoothing and contouring of the teeth). Dental problems can be painful for the horse and make the rider's experience unenjoyable.