Types of Western Bits

The four types of western bits are snaffle bits, transition bits, curb (or leverage) bits and correction bits. Each type of bit has a specific purpose in training a horse from the time they are a colt until they are a finished or broke horse. All four types have many variations and several metals in their composition. Rollers in the mouthpiece promote saliva in a horse's mouth, and long sides or shanks keep horses from walking through a bit or sliding it back and forth in their mouth without yielding rein pressure.

  1. Snaffle Bits

    • A snaffle bit is generally the bit of choice for beginning the training of a horse. Broken bits and training bits are other names for a snaffle bit. This type of bit has a two- or three-piece mouthpiece to insert into your horse's mouth, and the reins connect to each side on some shape of ring. The joints between sections bend with reining pressure to apply the same amount of pressure on each side when stopping and more pressure on each side that the reins are moved for turning left and right. In "Choosing the Right Bit for Your Horse," veteran horse trainer Jessica Jahiel explains that "a snaffle bit is a non-leverage bit." It does not apply jaw pressure to a horse. Snaffle bits ends determine the subcategory of its types. The most popular include names that describe their shape, such as the D-ring and eggbutt styles. The full-cheek style has bars on each side of the bit so that a horse cannot pull the bit through their mouth in either direction.

    Transition Bits

    • Transition bits, or gag bits, are used after the original training on a horse with a snaffle bit and before the final training with a curb bit. Most styles can be operational with two sets of reins to teach positioning, collection of themselves, flexing at the poll and tucking his nose. This type of bit is useful in training western show horses, reining horses, barrel racers and roping horses, though all horses benefit from the transition bit's qualities. Trail riders and western pleasure enthusiasts enjoy the comfort of opening gates and positioning their horses in the places they wish them to be.

    Western Curb Bits

    • A western curb bit, or leverage bit, has a solid piece that fits in a horse's mouth and shanks on each side to attach reins. The solid mouthpiece has a slight curve in it that presses down on the tongue, the horse's poll and the top of his mouth when pulling the reins back to stop a horse. This type of bit can give better control over a strong-headed horse or may be useful in riding a horse that has not been ridden in several years. It takes less pressure from the rider on this type of bit than a snaffle bit to achieve the same results. This type of bit is useful as a finishing bit after a horse learns to neck rein with a snaffle bit. One of the most popular leverage bits is the Tom Thumb.

    Correction Bits

    • A professional trainer uses correction bits to work many problems out of a horse's personality. This very severe bit applies strong pressure to a horse's poll, cheeks, tongue, top of the mouth and gums. It is best to leave this type of bit to the professionals as applying too much pressure can easily break a horse's jaw.