Most types of English bits come in a rubber version.īecause it’s much softer on the mouth than metal, it’s frequently used on youngsters. They are thought to encourage salivation and relaxation. The cheapest bits are made out of stainless steel, but advanced designs like sweet iron, manganese, and other types of metals are becoming more popular. Some offer more control options than others, but ultimately you want to ride in the gentlest bit that works. There are also curved mouthpieces, straight mouthpieces, French links, key links, twisted mouthpieces, shallow ports, and tall ports. You can have roller bits with rings or barrels that a busy horse can move with its tongue. Where do you start when basic types of mouthpieces vary endlessly? Wire mouthpieces are the most severe and not recommended, as they always cause pain to the horse. However, horses with small mouths or low palates might find a thicker mouthpiece rather uncomfortable. (3)Īdditionally, a thinner mouthpiece is more severe than a thicker one because it concentrates pressure. pounds, depending on the length of the shanks and increasing on a logarithmic scale. (3)īut with a curb bit, the horse feels the rider’s one pound of pressure as two, four, eight, etc. With a snaffle bit, if a rider exerts one pound of pressure on the reins, the horse feels one pound of pressure in its mouth. They are often (but not always) used with roundings, leather cords that connect the shanks to the cheek rings, or double reins.Īny indirect pressure bit has the potential to be far more severe than a direct pressure one. Some bits employ both direct and indirect pressure, like Pelhams, gags, and Kimberwicks. There are hundreds of types of snaffles, curbs, and bits that utilize elements from both, but it’s a useful shorthand for understanding the differences between bits.Ī snaffle bit transmits pressure to the bars, lips, and tongue using direct pressure from the rein.Ī curb bit, however, uses indirect pressure or leverage, with the reins attached to shanks that act on the horse’s bars and lips, as well as the poll, jaw, and chin groove. “the tongue, bars, cheeks, lips, palate, nose, curb area and poll.” Some pieces of headgear may be able to affect nearly all of these points, while some may only affect two or three of these points.” (2)īits can be roughly divided into two categories – snaffles and curbs. The Equine Science Department at the University of Georgia explains that these points are Many bits work on the mouth in combination with other sensitive nerves around the head. Whatever the material or type of bit, all bits (or bitless hackamores) work by exerting pressure on various points around the horse’s mouth. What is a Horse Bit, and How Does It Work? Any bit can be harsh if you ride with heavy hands, but horses will tolerate a serious bit if the rider has light, skilled hands.
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