List of Horse Bits

The bit is used to communicate with the horse by exerting pressure on various parts of the mouth. Different bits are designed to do different things. You should choose your bit based on what your horse prefers, its training level, and your own riding skill and style. Always use the mildest bit that the horse will respond to. There are a bewildering number of bits to choose from, but they fall into three basic families.

  1. Snaffle Bits

    • A simple snaffle bit consists of two rings joined by a mouthpiece. It works by applying direct pressure on the mouth and is a good bit to use for young horses, or horses with a lot of training, because it’s simple for the horse to understand and communicates commands easily. The main disadvantage of this kind of bit is that it’s fairly easy for a horse to get its tongue over the bit, which can feel uncomfortable. Several types of snaffle bits are available including the simple O-ring, the D-ring, the full-cheek snaffle, which has spikes above and below the ring to keep it from slipping through the horse’s mouth, the eggbutt snaffle, which keeps the bit from pinching the corners of the mouth and the loose-ring snaffle, which allows the bit to lay in the most natural position.

    Curb Bits

    • Curb bits have a shank that connects to the reins and a strap that goes under the chin. They work by applying pressure to the chin groove and poll, as well as the bars and tongue of a horse’s mouth. Curb bits are leverage bits, which means the rider can apply less pressure than he does with a snaffle bit to communicate the same message. For instance, with a snaffle bit, two oz. of pressure on the bit will give you two oz. of pressure on the mouth. However, a curb bit multiplies the two oz. by as much as four times. For this reason, some horse people have reservations about using this bit although it can be useful when working with stubborn or unruly horses. The size and shape of the mouthpiece is important when choosing a curb bit for your horse. The mouthpiece should be somewhat thick and should not exert any downward pressure. Popular curb bits include the pelham, which is a curb bit with both a snaffle rein and a curb rein, the kimberwicke, which is the mildest form of curb and the Weymouth.

    Gag Bits

    • Gag bits are controversial and many professional trainers won’t use them, considering them too severe. They’re used on horses that bear down with their heads and work by pulling up in the horse’s mouth, forcing the horse to raise its head. They can also be used to increase braking and balancing power. Only experienced riders should use them as they can cause injury to the horse, if used incorrectly.