A great deal of your horse's performance and response depends upon the bit that you use. Please consult a qualified person about the bit that you should choose.
Information provided on this page courtsey of the makers of Trammell bits.
The "snaffle" mouth piece features a flexible joint in the center of the bit that allows the bit to be soft and supple in the horse's mouth with little or no severity. They are generally used on young horses to introduce them to carrying something in their mouth and they share the advantage of tremendous lateral, or side-to-side action and may be used with two hands to help teach a young horse to respond correctly to a bit.
The ring and dee type bits are among the oldest styles still in use today. They are used virtually everywhere and on all types of horses. Ring and dee bits are generally used on young horses in transition to introduce them to carrying a mouthpiece before moving on to a shank type bit. They are used in a two handed style with lateral pull only since there are no cheeks to apply leverage. The dee bit and the butted ring bit has a short bar at the mouthpiece to prevent the bit from sliding through the horse's mouth, and provide a wide platform to apply pressure to the face. Ring snaffles are widely used and show classes have been introduced to allow only ring snaffles to be used In the arena, which led to the creation of the fancy engraved ring snaffles.
All shank snaffles share many of the same features as most regular snaffle bits. The additional advantage to a leverage cheek or 'shank' coupled with a snaffle mouthpiece is a bit that does all the above while introducing pressure on the horse's lowerjaw. Many horses continue in this type bit for many years. The length of the cheek, the type of material the mouthpiece is made of, the severity of the mouthpiece and finally, the thickness of the bar pieces will dictate the results for the rider in teaching, correcting, or just plain riding the horse.
The Tom Thumb bit is a very basic shank snaffle that has been in use for many years. It is perhaps the granddaddy of all shank type snaffle bits and gets it's name from the characteristically short shanks. The Tom Thumb is an excellent transition bit from the ring snaffle to the more severe leverage type bit for the young horse. It produces very little curb pressure with almost no leverage to allow young horse to make the transition to a shank type bit. The loose cheeks provide signal and the snaffle mouth is very mild.
The Argentine bit was originally developed in Argentina and hence it's name. It Is a very popular bit that is found In many top trainer's tack rooms. The short cheeks have a characteristic shape with loose rein rings and fixed rings attached at the mouthpiece. The reins can be moved, as in a double rein bit, when more lateral pull is desired. A strap may be connected to the ring located midway down the cheek to prevent the horse from biting the bit. The Argentine bit is available with a variety of mouth pieces from the regular snaffle to the very thin "Bradoon" snaffle and the "Corkscrew" snaffle that are more severe.
The "Double Rein" bit or the "Four Rein" bit, as it is sometimes called, is a carry over from the English Pelham style bit and has also been called a "Western Pelham". It is characterized by the dee rings attached to the shanks at the mouthpiece. This will allow the rider to change the rein position from the shanks to the dees when more lateral pull is desired without altering the head position. It functions as a dee bit and a shank bit rolled into one and is very popular with many professional trainers. The Double Rein bit can be obtained with a variety of mouthpieces in both loose shank or fixed shank styles.
Kimberwick bits are a traditional English type bit used in Hunter Hack and Hunter under saddle events traditionally. They allow a small amount of leverage with most of the force of the rider's pull duplicating that of a normal snaffle bit. Slots in the cheek loops are for the rein position..the lower the reins, the more leverage.
The hinged snaffle gets its name from the "hinge" joint in the center of the mouthpiece. It is different from the normal snaffle in that it will only bend in one direction instead of any direction. The result is more of a "pinching" action applying pressure to the bars for more control. The hinged snaffle is a relatively new concept that has gained favor with many of today's top trainers.
These Colt Training Bits have very mild
mouthpieces made of extra large
bar stock. Larger bar stock produces a more humane bit by distributing
the pressure over a wider area of the bars of the horse's mouth. The
gradual curve of the mouthpiece allows ample tongue relief with no
palate pressure due to the low elevation of the port. Short shanks
reduce the leverage and help prevent mouth injury that can occur when
"snatching" the reins or applying too much pressure during training.
The term "Colt Training Bit" generally refers to bits of many styles
that have mild mouthpieces and short cheeks and are designed to help
prevent mouth injury to the colt. All bits can be severe when used by
the "wrong hands" and therefore caution should be exercised.
The "sweetwater" mouth is perhaps the most
humane of all the ported
mouthpieces. The wide curvature of the port is not exaggerated and
applies no pressure to the tongue or palate. It works on bar pressure
to the gums only. The chances of injuring or frightening the horse has
been reduced by the smoothness of this mouthpiece; however, any bit can
be severe if used in an
incorrect manner. The sweetwater mouth is a good all around riding port
for the finished horse.
Many different mouthpieces may feature a
copper roller including the
snaffle, medium port, Salinas, half breed, and spade. The
copper roller rides on top of the tongue, applying some tongue
pressure, but is not as severe as the mullen mouth or the straight bar
bit that allows no tongue relief. The copper roller also adds to the
wetness of the mouth due to the reaction of copper with the salivary
glands and by stimulating movement of the tongue. They are often used
for nervous horses who are constantly mouthing the bit.
The U.S. mouthpiece was originally
designed for the U.S. Calvary as the
name would indicate. The port is tall enough to contact the palate and
though some tongue relief is allowed due to the width of the port, some
tongue pressure is still applied. The U.S. port very popular among many
professional horse people. The port is sometimes "spooned" and "rolled"
to fit the curvature of
the palate in order to lessen the severity of the bit. It is severe
enough to get the attention the horse, but not as severe as the
cathedral port.
The Cathedral mouthpiece has the high
triangular port of the "Whoa
Port" or the "EasyStop" mouthpiece but the top of the port is spooned
and rolled to fit smoothly against the palate and added tongue relief
to the bar. Pressure to the palate and bars can be obtained with only a
slight finger pull of the reins. This bit is very popular in the show
ring due to the extensive control it provides with only slight hand
movement. The cathedral mouth can be very severe in the wrong hands and
should be used only
experienced hands with extreme caution.
These bits are the forerunners of the most popular all-around bits ever made for use with both pleasure and cutting horses. Leverage is substantially reduced to allow a rider to 'snap' the bit with the reins to correct body position of the horse during cow cutting training without a steady pull. The short, lightweight cheeks allow a horse to make hard, short turns without the bit moving a great deal in the horse's mouth to distract him from the cow or the business at hand. Many of these bits also feature a 'slot' or loop added to the hanger ring for chin strap attachment to reduce chafing or pinching the corners of the horse's mouth against the bar of the mouthpiece.
Much of the design and construction of bridle bits is a matter of personal preference in a effort to create a better technique or a more stylish look for the horse and rider. Any bit in the right hands can be a useful tool of communication between horse and rider and any bit in the wrong hands can severely damage the horse's mouth or create confusion for the animal. The twisted wire or braided wire cheek bits were designed to add to the overall appearance of the horse and rider while in the arena. They have become very popular in recent years as many well known trainers have used them, but essentially they function the same as their smooth cheek counterparts.
"S" and "7" cheek bits are named for the characteristic shape of the shanks. They were originated by the U.S. Calvary. The shape of the cheeks alter the position of the rein loops in relation to the mouthpiece. The more "straight up,, the shank, as in the "7" cheek bit, the more severe the bit due to increased leverage. The further back the rein loops, as in the "S" shank bit, the milder the bit and the more signal that is acquired. The curved shanks also have the added advantage of increasing the weight of the bit without adding to the effective length of the shank or making the shanks appear massive.
Bits in this part of the Grazing Style section have one area of design in common. The typically turned back cheeks are half round steel construction tapering down in width from the top of the shank to the bottom. This adds weight and strength to the bit maximizing the action of the reins on the bit and providing more "signal" or communication between horse and rider. Also, there is a slot loop added to the hanger rings for chin strap attachment for the reduction of chafing or pinching by the chin strap on the horses lips against the bars of the mouthpiece.
Show bits are a carry over from the ornate hand engraved silver Spanish style bits and are designed to add to the overall appearance of the horse and rider while in the arena. They are created with the finished horse in mind with silver trim and hand engraved mountings on the cheeks. The silver trim not only adds to the appearance, but also alters the weight distribution on the cheeks in order to make the bit sit better in the horses mouth. Added weight in the cheeks can enhance the movement of the reins and limit the amount of hand motion required by the rider to signal the horse of the rider's commands.
The Gag Bit is characterized by the sliding mouthpiece that is able to move further down the shank than the normal bit in order to provide more lift to the corners of the horse's mouth. High head position is a common problem due to the natural instinct of the horse to move away from the pressure of the bit. The gag action allows the rider to lower the head position and direct the horse's attention to the high speed turns. The "Ring Gag" allows the reins to be attached to the poll. The resulting pressure applied to the poll also lowers head position. These bits are very popular with Barrel Racers.
"Wonder Bit" is the name coined by the original manufacturer of this unique bit that functions essentially the same as the double rein bit. Large rings are attached to the mouthpiece that is allowed to slip up and down the ring as a gag bit. The rider can alter the rein position from the rein loops to the rings when more lateral pull is needed. The gag function is instrumental in teaching proper head position and is very popular among Barrel Racer's who need a bit to lift the inside shoulder and position the horse's weight properly for the high speed turns. Other versions of the Wonder Bit are also available, such as the Four Ring Gag Bit, and the Barrel Gag Bit which provide variable rein positions for just the right amount of leverage.
Hackamores. . the Americanization of the descriptive word for this type bit comes from the Spanish word that means "around the nose". The hackamore is designed to create a pinching action on the lower part of the horse's head, usually just above the nose, to control both speed and direction of the horse. In general use, this type device controls only the forward and backward motion of the horse and are accepted most exclusively for use on horses that compete or are used in extreme speed events and situations such as Barrel Racing and roping. The greatest advantage of these devices is the absence of anything in the horse's mouth. There is almost no damage ever done to the horse's mouth inadvertently by an excited rider during top speed riding.
Over the last two decades, hackamores have evolved into combination bit and hackamore devices that allow the rider more control at top speeds for both straight ahead and side-to-side movements. Barrel Racing has become a "finesse" event with a sophistication level that has improved greatly. Trainers demand devices that are much more sophisticated than before and several of the more important styles are presented in the following bits. They are also used to correct horses for other events and give the rider front to back, side to side and tip and down control over the horse. When used correctly, this is one of the best all-around bits a rider can use and is only as severe as the rider makes it. The longer cheeks gives the rider more leverage action.
There are two general rules concerning bits when discussing nosebands. First, thinner is more severe. The thinner the noseband, the more severe the bit due to the fact that the pressure becomes more localized, or the same amount of pressure is spread over a smaller area. A very thin noseband or mouthpiece can literally cut the animal if too much pressure is applied. Secondly, the rougher the noseband, the more severe the bit. Hence, we have various types of noseband covers including braided nose, laced nose and rubber nose bits. The braided nose is rougher than the smooth laced nose bit or the rubber nose bit. The wide flat nose hackamore is more humane and is good for novice or inexperienced riders.
Security generally determines the material to be used for the center of the hackamore noseband. It is common to see chain and steel cable used inside nosebands, however it is not uncommon to also see leather or rope also used. Bicycle chain has become a favorite among many horse people due to it's ability to conform to the horse's nose, thus increasing the effectiveness of the bit, and it's smooth curvature in relation to regular chain which gives a somewhat lumpy appearance. The chain nosebands are generally covered with rubber or leather due to the rough nature of the chain in order to protect the animal.