Horse Bits: Two-Piece Vs. Three-Piece Mouthpieces

Horse bits come in a variety of shapes and sizes, providing riders with myriad choices for training, pleasure or competition riding. Two-piece bits are the most common, encompassing such mouthpieces as the simple snaffle, the twisted wire and the corkscrew. Three-piece horse bits are more complicated; examples include the Dr. Bristol, the gag and the wide-barrel bit.

  1. Action

    • Two-piece horse bits are often referred to as "simple action" because they only act upon the mouth in two ways. These mouthpieces are generally broken in the center (also known as "jointed"), which means that each rein acts upon one side of the bit. When the rider pulls the left rein in a simple snaffle, for example, the left side of the joint presses inward on the horse's tongue, and the opposite ring places pressure on that side of the mouth. Many trainers prefer simple-action, jointed bits because they take advantage of the horse's desire to move away from pressure. Three-piece horse bits, on the other hand, are multi-action, and are therefore considered too harsh for some trainers.

    Tongue Involvement

    • Three-piece horse bits are designed to involve the horse's tongue in the action of the bit. Barrels, rollers, ports and other center pieces give the horse something to play with in his mouth or pinch the tongue as a correction. These bits must be used with light hands to avoid hurting the animal and deadening his mouth. Two-piece horse bits also use the tongue, but in a different way. Because there are only two pieces, the pressure on the mouth is eased and therefore less of a concern.

    Hard Palate

    • The horse's hard palate (the roof of his mouth) can be either arched or flat. A flat hard palate means that there is less room between the roof of the mouth and the tongue, which can create problems with three-piece horse bits. A high port or barrel, for example, will rake the hard palate and cause abrasions. A jointed two-piece horse bit is a better solution for these horses.

    Competition

    • Two-piece bits are required in certain types of equestrian competition. The United States Equestrian Federation rules, for example, require that snaffle bits be used for dressage at certain levels. Although there are three-piece snaffles, they are much less common and it is easier to use a two-piece horse bit.

    Distraction

    • Some three-piece horse bits can distract the animal from his job. Rollers and barrels, for example, include devices at the center of the mouthpiece that move, allowing the horse to manipulate them with his tongue. Two-piece bits do not have these distractions, so the rider must consider the individual animal and his tolerance for bits.