What is the most common horse bit?

Standard bits are 5 inches wide and are the most common. Pony bits are generally 4 1/2 inches wide, and bits that are designed for Arabians and other light-boned, refined horses are 4 3/4 inches wide.

What is the most popular horse bit?

Snaffle Bits

A snaffle bit is the most common and popular type of bit. It has one set of reins and therefore only applies pressure to the horse's mouth. It is common in English riding but its gentle nature makes it a great choice for inexperienced horses and riders, too.

What is the easiest bit for a horse?

One of the most common types of snaffle bit is the eggbutt, which is considered to be the gentlest type of snaffle bit because it doesn't pinch the corners of the horse's mouth. It has an egg-shaped connection between the mouthpiece and the bit-ring.

What bit is most comfortable for a horse?

A mullen mouth is a plain mouthpiece with a slight curve over the horse's tongue. This makes it more comfortable for the horse to carry than a straight-bar mouthpiece. It's also considered more gentle than a jointed mouthpiece, as there is no pinching effect when the reins are pulled. Continue to 2 of 15 below.

What is the least severe horse bit?

11. Eggbutt Snaffle. Eggbutt snaffles have the least bit severity because the rounded cheekpiece prevents pinching on the sides of a horse's mouth. Due to their low level of harshness, Eggbutt snaffles can easily be paired with a variety of mouthpieces; the single joint being the more popular version.

How Bits Work - Gags, Snaffles

Are gag bits harsh?

The Running Gag is certainly not suitable for everyone, and can be too strong for some horses. The mechanics of how it moves up the bridle and therefore up in the horse's mouth can lead it to be misused if the rider is not very good with their balance and their hands.

Are corkscrew bits harsh?

Corkscrew. A corkscrew bit, with its tight twists with slightly rounded edges, is harsher than a slow twist but significantly milder than a twisted wire mouthpiece, which is much thinner and has less rounded edges.

What bit is stronger than a snaffle?

The Bevel provides more brake-power so is ideal for those horse's needing something slightly stronger than a snaffle. This is a great bit for a novice horse at a competition! A great Bevel bit to choose is the Shires Bevel Bit with Jointed Mouth RRP £14.99.

What is the softest bit on a horse mouth?

The softest bits are generally snaffle bits made of rubber. Rubber offers a smooth fit on the bars of the horse's mouth, while the snaffle's rings fit softly in the corners of the horse's mouth without pinching.

Is a snaffle bit harsh?

Snaffle bits can be gentle or severe!

The lighter 1:1 pressure is why snaffle bits are commonly used to start young horses or to retrain older horses that need some back to basics work. However, in the wrong hands, any bit can be harsh, including snaffles. Excellent horsemanship requires soft, low hands of the rider.

What bit is best?

What kind of bits do racehorses use?

The two most common bits worn by racehorses are a D-bit and a ring bit. Both bits are snaffles, meaning the mouthpiece is made up of two jointed segments of metal. The D-bit is easiest on a horse's mouth and the simplest. Its name describes the D-shaped rings that attach the ends of the bit to the bridle.

What is a Tom Thumb bit?

The Tom Thumb Bit – A Bit for the Well-Trained Western Horse

The mouthpiece of the Tom Thumb bit is like other snaffles, available in single or double-jointed styles. The Tom Thumb snaffle bit starts as a regular snaffle, applying direct pressure to the mouth, lips and to the bars of the horse's mouth.

Are straight bar bits harsh?

The mouthpieces on these bits tend to be quite thick and heavy which many horses will also dislike, depending on the size of their tongue, and shallowness of their palate. They are also made thinner, which can make a quite simple bit more severe.

What bit to use on a green horse?

A mouthpiece around 16mm is a great place to start, and 14mm is the thinnest permitted for young horse dressage classes- and most trainers would not use anything thinner than this on a green horse.

What is a happy mouth bit?

Happy Mouth Bits, for both English and Western horses, are mouthpieces covered with a space age polymer that is both durable and somewhat giving in the horse's mouth, encouraging the horse to chew and relax their jaw. In addition, all Happy Mouth bits are apple scented helping the horse accept the bit.

What is a Billy Allen bit?

Billy Allen Bit 5 1/4"

The “Billy Allen“ will allow you to introduce the curb strap and vertical flexion while still allowing you to use one rain at a time when needed. This bit does not fold up in a horse's mouth, yet still allows you to communicate laterally to your horse.

What is a peewee bit?

The Pee Wee Is The Only Bit On The Market Where The Big Rings Do Not Contact The Sensitive Side Of The Horses Face. The Pee Wee Eliminates The Horses Lips Being Forced Against The Teeth. In Other Bits The Pinching Causes The Horse Pain And Results In The Horse Leaning On The Bit And Tossing Its Head To The Side.

What is a Pelham bit used for?

Uses. The pelham bit is often used for schooling and general riding, providing the rider is knowledgeable about using a curb bit and riding with double reins. An English Pelham bit somewhat mimics the action of the bridoon (small snaffle bit) and weymouth (curb) bit combination used on a 'double bridle.

What is a gag bit for horses?

Equestrian Gag Bits and Elevator Bits are used for leverage on horses who lean or pull, allowing the rider to maintain balance and control.

What is a full cheek snaffle bit used for?

Full Cheek (Fixed Cheek)

The full cheek is a very popular bit for novice riders and novice horses (when combined with a mild mouthpiece). The full cheek snaffle needs to sit snugly in the mouth to prevent lateral movement of the mouthpiece and improves the deliverance of the steering and turning aids.

What is a Weymouth bit?

Weymouth bits are designed to be used with a double bridal. It combines a curb bit with a bradoon and is typically associated with dressage events. The Saddlery Shop has a range of high quality Weymouth bits from Grafton. Most Popular.

What is a Waterford bit used for?

It is a flexible bit that moulds round the horse's mouth, creating an even pressure. It is moveable in all directions and horses find it difficult to lean or take hold of it, giving the rider good levels of control.

Is the bit cruel?

It is an extremely cruel tool if it comes into the hands of an unskilled user. Why do you put a bit in a horse's mouth? A bit is used as an aid of communication between the rider and the horse. It is placed in the mouth to make this process as effective as possible.

Is a Dutch gag a snaffle?

The cheek of the jointed 3 ring Copper Lozenge Dutch gag involves a series of steel rings, the main snaffle ring with one smaller ring above and below, useful for horses that do not need the added poll pressure of a further lower ring as in the 4 ring version of the continental gag.