A Bit About Bits

Written by:  Alicia Spence

Person County Cooperative Extension Service Intern

All of us want what is best for our horses. We all know the importance of the proper equipment. Misfit saddles, girths and headstalls cause discomfort and sometimes behavioral problems with our horses. Bits have unique characteristics that make them better for a certain horse. Each bit has its own purpose and helps with each horse's discipline and level of training. Choosing the right bit for your horse and your riding ability will cause better communication and can fix behavioral problems.

Each section of the bit puts either horizontal or vertical pressure on the horse's mouth. The bars are where the bit most successfully communicates with the horse. This is where the most pressure will be admitted to your horse's mouth. The Meredith Manor’s article on bit selection says it best, “These gaps between the front teeth and the back teeth on either side of the jaw consist of tissue-covered, pressure-sensitive cartilage. Between the bars, the bit lays across and presses against the horse's tongue. Depending on its shape and adjustment, a bit can also put pressure on the horse's lips and on the roof of its mouth. Pressures on the lips are the least effective because the lips are an unstable surface and easily injured.” When considering which bit will fit best with you and your horse, think about your riding ability, the horse's training level and the discipline you participate in.

The first thing to look at when purchasing a bit should be what surface of the horse’s mouth the bit will contacting. Thin bits will apply more pounds of pressure than a wider bit. This will determine how noticeable the rein pressure will be to the horse. So, a horse trained to acknowledge subtle rein cues would not need a thin bit because it would pick up those cues with a thicker bit. On the other hand, a thinner bit would be better for a horse that requires more pressure with the reins.

The next aspect of a bit to consider would be if the bit is curved or straight. A bit that is curved relieves the pressure the bit puts on the tongue. A curved bit also puts more pressure on the bars. A straight bit however, will put more pressure on the tongue and relieve some pressure on the bars. Curved bits tend to be used in western riding or dressage, while straight bits (with no breaks) tend to be used in English riding. Curved bits encourage the head to be held vertical and higher.  Also, shanks on a bit contribute to the position of the horse's head. Shanks apply pressure to the horse’s poll. When a curb strap in put on the bit it will also put pressure on the bottom of the horse's chin.

Basic types of bits are Snaffle, Curb, and Pelham. There are also headstalls that require no bit, such as the Hackamore, and bit combinations where the headstall holds two bits. Snaffle bits are used for direct pressure on the bars, tongue and corners of the mouth. Curb bits put pressure on the mouth, poll and chin groove. A Pelham bit is a single curb bit with two sets of reins attached used for horizontal and vertical pressure. Bit combinations that have two bits with two sets of reins attached are used mostly in dressage where complex cues are needed. Hackamores are used to apply pressure to the face, nose, chin and poll. There are many variations to each of these bits. 

No matter what bit is chosen, if used incorrectly, the bit can cause discomfort or even harm to your horse. Novice riders should stay focused on rein cues and should not balance by using the reins. Aways keep in mind that each bit creates a different pressure and sensation. When changing bits, allow the horse time to learn how the cues feel with the new bit. 

Here are some extra resources that can provide a better understanding of each bit’s use.

http://articles.extension.org/pages/10858/understanding-bits-for-horses-learning-lesson

http://www.kbrhorse.net/tra/bits01.html

http://www.equisearch.com/article/how-to-choose-a-bit-for-a-horse-20464

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Bit-for-a-Horse  (size and measurement of the bit)