All Types of Horse Riding Bits

When choosing whether you should ride with a snaffle bit, curb bit, mullen bit, or gag bit, remember that improper use of any tack can result in mental abuse or physical injury to the horse. Your hands have the ability to turn a curb bit into a cruel instrument, or a spade bit into a delicate means of communication.

  1. English Curb Bit

    • The curb bits operate on leverage when the reins are pulled. The reins are attached to shanks--vertical sidepieces--and not the bit. Therefore, the pressure the rider puts on the reins is magnified four times on the horse's mouth. An English curb bit typically has shanks that are four to five inches long and is generally used with a double bridle. When using a double bridle, two bits are actually used and the curb bit is called a Weymouth.

    Western Curb Bit

    • The shanks on a western curb bit are generally eight to nine inches long with a port-slight arch in the middle of the mouthpiece. The severity can be increased with a straight mouthpiece, especially if the shanks length is increased. As you adjust the reins to make contact with the horse's mouth, the shanks move toward the horse's chest. The addition of a curb chain attached to the bit and placed behind the horse's mouth acts as a fulcrum on the jawbone.

    Copper Wrap Mullen Barrel Bit

    • The Mullen is designed with a straight bar, two rings and a mouthpiece attachment, and works off the tongue and bars. . The headstall attaches to the top square ring (called the purchase) and the reins attach to the bottom ring. The Mullen has side movement of the five-inch shanks, which are bent toward the rider.

    Eggbutt Snaffle

    • The eggbutt is the gentlest type of snaffle bits, making it an excellent choice for training young horses. The eggbutt snaffle can have a jointed or straight mouthpiece with rings fixed on a hinge, which does not allow free movement of the bit. All snaffle bits operate via direct pressure with the reins attached directly to the bit, instead of to shanks. The mouthpiece of the snaffle bit puts pressure on the bars and roof of the mouth, and the tongue.

    D-Ring Snaffle

    • The largest difference between an eggbutt snaffle and the D-ring is that the point where the bit connects to the rings is further from the horse's mouth. Curb chains are not added when using this bit, since they have no effect on direct rein bits.

    Loose-Ring Snaffle

    • The loose-ring snaffle is similar to the eggbutt, except the loose ring keeps the horse from grabbing onto the bit. The bit rotates making it difficult to grab.

    Full Cheek Snaffle

    • The long cheek snaffle has loose rings along with cheek pieces. The cheek pieces keep the bit from being pulled through the horse's mouth. This bit can have either a plain jointed mouthpiece, or copper rollers on the bit to increase the sensitivity.

    Gag Bit

    • The gag bit has a sliding jointed mouthpiece which applies pressure to the corners of the mouth. It works on your horse's mouth and poll at the same time to increase your balancing and stopping power. This bit can be very severe if not used properly. They are available in different shank sizes and mouthpiece styles.