Most tack stores offer an overwhelming selection of bits for sale - and here at the Saddlery Shop, we certainly have an enviable selection, and our bitting knowledge is extensive. So, knowing the difference between the common bits on the market can help you decide which type of bit is right for your horse or pony.
Horses are of course individuals, and this means our equines all have different mouth conformations. Depending on the conformation of your horse’s mouth, they will require bits with different types of action, mouthpieces and thicknesses. Some riders are tempted to select bits with a thick diameter because they believe it to gentler, but this is not always the best choice for every horse. This is because some horses do not have the clearance between the upper and lower jaw to physically fit a wider bit. (If you are unsure of the conformation of your horse’s mouth, ask your horse’s equine dental technician, or vet!) Of course, we must also take into account the rider’s expertise, and also the horse’s discipline - bitting is certainly a minefield, but the choice does represent a great benefit for the consumer.
Here are the main categories of bits for horses:
Snaffle Bits
The snaffle bit is the most common and the most popular equine bit here in the UK, and probably world-wide. Snaffles can include mouthpieces such as a single jointed, a lozenge or a French link (Eggbut is pictured), to name but a few! A snaffle works by placing pressure on the tongue, the corners of the mouth and the bars (the spaces between the horse’s front and back teeth).
In recent years, the lozenge style double-jointed mouthpiece has become very popular and has helped to maintain a consistent, well-regulated contact on the tongue - by lessening the nutcracker action of the bit it helps the horse to relax into the bit. In terms of cheekpieces, D-cheeks, Eggbutts, Full cheeks, Hangiung Cheeks, Wilkies and Loose rings are the main choices.
Gag Bits
Gag bits often offer the same mouthpieces as snaffles. There are generally three types; the ‘American’ style, not seen as often in the UK now, has long shanks and uses the action of the mouthpiece sliding on a curved cheek to achieve the ‘lift’ in the horse’s mouth.
Under the ‘traditional gag’ umbrella, the most common type in my experience is the Cheltenham. it’s similar to a snaffle, but has holes in the Eggbutt cheeks, to accept a gag cheek; this extended cheek piece passes through the holes in the gag bit, with a ring at the base for the reins to fasten to. Gags like this work by raising the bit up in the horse’s mouth, as well as poll pressure. The effect is usually to lift the horses head up. Gags are strong bits and need to be used with care as there is no limit to the amount they can be raised in the mouth.
A further type is the ringed gag - my preference is the ‘3 ring’ gag. It’s also known as a ‘Dutch’, ‘Continental’ or even a ‘Bubble gag’. Continental bits work by raising the bit up in the horse’s mouth in a similar manner to something like a Cheltenham, but there is a limit to the extent this can happen, thus lessening the severity. The cheek involves a series of steel rings, the main snaffle ring with one smaller ring above and below (in the case of the three ring). A nice example is the 3 Ring French link, which has a shaped flat plate which lies across the horse’s tongue.
Curb Bits
Curb bits can be split into three categories: Pelhams, Weymouths and Kimblewicks.
The Pelham is a single mouthpiece bit that includes a shank, allowing the use of two reins. The top rein, known as the snaffle rein, puts pressure on the tongue, the bars and the corners of the horse’s mouth, just like a simple snaffle bit would do. The second rein, called the curb rein, is used on the ring at the bottom of the shank to apply further pressure on the poll and the curb chain when the rein moves the shank backwards.
The Weymouth, also known as a curb bit, is the second bit of a Double Bridle set, used predominantly in showing and higher-level dressage. This bit works in the same manner as a Pelham’s bottom rein. However, this bit is combined with an additional bit placed in the mouth called a Bradoon.
Kimblewicks are often used in disciplines such as cross country or hunting, and are ideal for younger riders, as they provide some extra control for horses which are too strong for a snaffle bit. The Kimblewick is designed to use four points of pressure: the tongue, the corners of the mouth, the bars and the curb groove, and in some later versions, a small degree of poll pressure too. A popular bit is the Jointed Kimblewick - it’s useful for ponies that tend to lean on a straight bar mouth and also in general to raise the horse’s head with some bar and palate pressure.
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