Bits & Accessories: Mouthpieces to Suit Mouth and Training

Bits & Accessories: finding the right mouthpiece

Hardly any piece of tack has such a direct effect as the bit. Under Bits & Accessories you will find snaffles with loose and fixed rings, curb bits, pelhams, straight bar bits and matching accessories. This category also lists driving snaffles and driving bits with four rings, Baucher bits, three-ring bits, Fulmer snaffles, the Cupris loose ring snaffle and a Chifney anti-rearing bit from Waldhausen.

Width, thickness and shape

A bit should extend about half a centimetre beyond the corners of the mouth on each side. If it is too wide, it slides back and forth, and if it is too narrow, it pinches. The thickness depends on mouth and tongue: a thick bit is not automatically gentler, because a small mouth or a fleshy tongue leaves too little room. Single-jointed bits work differently from double-jointed bits or bars. Ask for advice if you are unsure, and talk to your equine dentist too.

Bits and training

For young horses and basic training, a simple snaffle is usually all you need. Leverage bits such as the curb bit and pelham belong in the hands of experienced riders and on horses that are reliably ridden in a snaffle. A Chifney is a leading bit for handling strong horses from the ground and calls for experience. Bit guards, curb chains and small straps complete the bit and make sure it sits securely.

Frequently asked questions

How do I measure my horse's bit width?
The easiest way is with a bit measure or a piece of string that you lay through the mouth and mark at both corners. Add about one centimetre. For bits with fixed cheeks, a little less allowance is often enough.

Which material is right for my horse?
Stainless steel is hard-wearing and neutral in taste. Copper alloys or sweet iron have a slight taste and can encourage chewing. Plastic and rubber are soft and light. In the end your horse decides which one it chews most contentedly with.

When should I replace a bit?
When it has sharp edges, cracks or worn joints. Check rubber bits more often, as chewing wears them down. A damaged bit can injure the mouth.