Bit By Bit

Many people use their horses regularly, using the bridle, without really knowing much about the bit their horse is using and how it works.
There are many many many different variations of bits, but they all stem from a basic shape designed for a basic function. Although it is hard to envision without seeing it in the horses mouth, here is a quick overview on how the shape of your bit affects it’s function.
When choosing a bit, things to be taken into consideration are your horses training level, your skill and style and what you expect of your horse.

SNAFFLE bits are the simplest bits. They consist of a mouthpiece and bit rings, the design of the mouthpiece can vary in width, texture (material) and more. The bit rings can be fixed, a ‘D’ ring or loose such as an ‘O’ ring, full cheek snaffles have a spike above and below the ring to prevent the mouthpiece from slipping. Snaffle bits work by direct pressure on the corner of the horses mouth. This is usually the choice bit for starting horses because it is so simple.

CURB bits also come in all shapes and sizes but what they all have in common is they have a mouthpiece and shanks which extend below the bit, along with the purchase which is the part of the bit above the mouthpiece, together called the ‘cheek’.
Curb bits can have swiveling cheeks which can be used like a combination of a snaffle and curb for direct or neck reining or non swiveling cheeks, which are commonly used for neck reining. Curb bits are all about leverage: putting pressure on the reins pulls back the shanks which causes pressure to be applied on the mouth, the chin (from the chin strap) and pulls down on the bridle putting pressure on the poll.

HACKAMORES have no mouthpiece, so are essentially not bits, rather they work like a curb but with pressure being applied on the nose instead of the mouth.
BIT-LESS Bridles are quite self explanatory and bosals also work by putting pressure on the nose.

There are hundreds of different shapes and forms of bits available to us but we must really pay attention to what we are trying to achieve and what style of bit will be the most helpful to us and our horses.