General Equine Bit Information!
After being asked by numerous people what the best bit for the "job" is, we decided to post some generic, general information about bits on our site.
PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT change bits on your horse without someone there to help or supervise you if you are not a knowledgeable person about horses or ponies etc! What works for one horse, may not work for your's!
Your best bet is to find out what your horse has been trained in, then go from there. A well trained horse should work well in a simple snaffle. More severe bits can only compound a training problem. If you are at "wits ends" try to go back to the basics, OR hire a
trainer to help you or give you suggestions.
Good horsemanship requires proper use of ALL the aids used to cue a horse to perform. To achieve the most effective results from bitting a horse for a specific use, understand proper fit and the bits function!
Stevens Hobby Farm LLC is not to be held responsible for any injuries incurred to you or your horse etc. from the information contained herein! BE RESPONSIBLE!!!!!! |
General Equine Bit Facts
The following information is to be used as a guide only. Do not change your current bit on your Equine unless you are a knowledgeable horse person. NEVER change it then ride or drive in an open area. Get a feel for your horse before "turing yourself loose" with a bit that may not have any influence on the stop or turning abilities of your horse!!
Basic Terms~
Mouthpieces are made of different types of metals, hard rubber, or flexible rubber. Each yields a different effect.
Mouth Pieces:
- Copper Mouthpieces are a popular choice because like the sweet iron, copper also promotes salivation in the horse's mouth. When a horse salivates, the tongue and lower jaw stay relaxed and the horse becomes more responsive. Copper mouthpieces also resist rust.
- Sweet Iron mouthpices are also very popular and will rust with age. As it rusts, the mouthpiece becomes more flavorful. This sweet tast promotes the horse's mouth to salivate once again improving the horses responsiveness.
- Stainless Steel is also popular because of it's clean looks. Because Stainless will not rust, it is commonly used in high humidity areas. Unlike the sweet iron or copper it does not promote salivation and can taste bitter to some horses. However, when stainless is combined with copper or sweet iron inlays, it will then cause the mouth to salivate.
The thicker the mouthpiece, the milder the bit. This is due to the bit pressure being spread over a larger area. The thinner the mouthpiece the more severe the bit.
Port Mouthpieces:
- Low and Medium Port mouths are relatively mild. The curvature of the port allows for tongue relief. And with rotation o fthe bit, the mouthpiece does NOT apply palate pressure. Both mouthpieces will, however, apply pressure to the bars of the horses mouth. As the mouthpiece diameter becomes smaller, the pressure increases in severity.
- High Port mouths provide tongue relief and apply pressure to the bars of teh mouth just as the low and medium ports to. However, it can apply palate pressure if the height of the port is greater than 2".
The length of the shaft dictates the amount of curb pressure and leverage or pressure applied to the chin groove (curb strap or chain area) and the poll of the horse. Another words, the longer the shanks, the more severe the bit unless rider has extremely light hands!
Shank Lengths
- Short Shank bits provide less leverage compared to a long a shank bit. Short shank bits will provide a longer delay between your rein cue and pressure from teh mouthpiece and curb strap. This is known as a longer signal. It is usedul in teaching horses to be light and responsive in the bridle.
- Long Shank bits provide greater leverage. When ridden with a tight curb chain, the long shanks provide a short relay between the rein cue and pressure from teh mouthpice and curb strap. This is known as the short signal and is useful for riders who are timid and rarely make contact with the horses mouth.
Common Bits and their functions!
Loose Ring Snaffle Bits~
One of the basic training bits, loose ring snaffles are used to teach a horse to yield to direct rein pressure. When rein pressure is applied, the jointed mouthpiece first makes contact with the corners of the horse's mouth, then the bars, followed by the sides of the tongue. The mouth
piece rotates around the ring and directs pressure to a smaller area. Because of the pressure point, the loose ring snaffle is considered slightly more severe when compared to a fixed ring snaffle such as an Eggbutt.
Twisted Wire Snaffle Bits~
Twisted wire snaffles are used to lighten the response when a horse becomes heavy on the bit. Working on the corners of the mouth, the twisted wire tenders the area more than a smooth snaffle. Smaller diameter twisted wires (shown smaller) are more severe than larger diameters.
Eggbutt Snaffles~
A very mild bit, the Eggbutt Snaffle is considered a "fixed-butt" snaffle. It is designed wide enough at the butt to be gentle on teh bars and will not pinch the horse's mouth. Getting it's name from the shape of the ring. When you initiate direct rein contact on one side of the horse's mouth, you are also pulling on the opposite side of the mouth. (Shown with copper mouth!)
Tom Thumb Snaffles~
One of the most basic shanked type of snaffle bits, the Tom Thumb serves as an excellent transition bit from a ring snaffle to a longer shanked snaffle or to a curb bit. This bit uses a snall amount of curb pressure or leverage. The loose cheeks move independently allowing for more lateral flexibility.
3-Piece Mouth Snaffles~
The 3-piece mouth introduces a different pressure points in the mouth when making the transition from a conventional snaffle. The 3-piece mouth is available in a variety of styles, each offering different pressure points to aid in the responsiveness of the horse. (Shown a French Link mouth, great for starting colts!)
Roller Mouth Snaffle~
Also termed as a "cricket" mouthpiece these rollers are superb for nervous horses and at the same time promotes salivation. Commonly made of copper, they can be combined with Medium or high ports, snaffle mouths, halfbreeds, and also spades. If the roller is the same size as the bars of the mouthpiece, the roller will apply equal pressure across the tongue. However, if the roller is larger, more pressure will be applied over the middle of the tongue.
Curb and Grazing Bits~
The Curb bit is one of the major type of bits. It is considered a leverage bit because of the action of the curb chain. When the reins are pulled and the curb chain engaged, it applies pressure to the chin groove. The tern "grazing bit" is commonly referred to as a curb bit with shanks that sweep backward to allow the horse to graze. The more the shanks sweep back, the more your leverage decreases. A grazing bit is considered a good bit for BROKE horses and also for novice riders because it can be pulled on with less affect than a loose shanked bit. A horse MUST be trained to use a curb bit. Curbs do
not provide separate lateral control. Used in neck reining.
Hackamores~
The hackamore is designed to create pressure just above the soft tissue of the nose. And, when the curb chain is engaged it also applies pressure to the chin groove. Used by ropers and barrel racers, the hackamore is designed for getting quick stops from forward motion. Hackamores are available with a variety of nosebands from moderate to severe. When combined with a mouthpiece, the hackamore gains more lateral control. Without a mouth piece, hackamores are a great beginning tool for teaching a horse to stop using the curb chain. However without a bit, there isn't any or much lateral control. Good for teaching them to give to pressure.
Some suggestions for getting the perfect fit and bit whether your equine is young and just starting out or an older horse that needs "freshing up".
To measure for a bit, take a string (about a foot in length is good). (Having a partner to help makes this much easier!) Then take the string and place it through the horses mouth. Mark the string on each corner of the horses mouth on both sides with a marker. Now remove the string, measure between the marks and add a 1/2" to that measurement. (1/4" for each side of bit).
This is the measurement for your horses mouth. Do keep in mind however, that large prominent low cheek bones, may require you to purchase a larger size.
Mini- 3" to 3 /12"
Pony 4 to4 1/2"
Average horse 5 to 5 1/4"
Draft- 6" to 7"
Color in red indicates the normal size for a standard sized animal of that breed.
Here are some of our most popular bits for both horse, pony, and draft sized Equines.
French Link- Great started bit, very mild and works well in draft babies as well! (See loose ring french link in 6" for drafts)
Eggbutt Snaffles- Also good all round bits, the full cheeks are also a great bit since they do not pull through the mouth. VERY POPULAR! Typical horse= 5" typical 16 hand draft- 6" and Larger draft- 6 1/2" (Rarely will a draft need a true 7" bit!!)
Loose Ring Snaffles- good all round bits for driving or riding. Will pinch corners of mouths if used on a horse requiring some "muscle" to turn.
Tom Thumbs- good for riders who need a little more stopping power.
Kimberwicks - good for lateral control. Offers rein leverage option on the D-Rings. Use low port & curb chain for stopping control. Good teaching bit. Medium amount of leverage to a Kimberwick. Good riding bit for "harder to stop" drafts.
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