Difference Between Western & English Bits

While differences between Western and English bits exist, the commonality of the bit's function as the most important piece of the horse's outfitting has greater significance. While bitless control methods exist, when used, a bit serves the same purpose as a car's steering wheel or a boat or aircraft rudder. Differences between Western and English bits arise based upon the type of riding. When you consider the consequences of faulty rider-to-horse steerage communication involving an animal weighing 1,000 pounds on average, you can appreciate the importance of proper bitting for individual horses.

  1. Purpose

    • English tack, that is the saddle, bridle and related equipment, arose out of European military use that became obsolete after the development of the internal combustion engine. While English tack, including the bit, still shows indications of this influence, modern day use of English riding focuses more on such uses as competition show riding, riding in polo matches and the use of thoroughbreds in horse racing. While Western riding has also partially moved to the show ring, and the tack, including the bit, evolved to accommodate that purpose, Western riding still finds use in the practical work of cattle herding on western ranches.

    Reining

    • English reining, particularly in such applications as show ring competition, may involve the use of two separate reins. Additionally, whether a specific English bridle incorporates two reins or just a single rein, under normal circumstances the rider using English tack will use both hands for reining. Western reining, in contrast, uses only a single rein and the rider normally reins one-handed. In some forms of Western reining styles, the rider reins using the non-dominant hand, leaving the dominant hand free for such practical tasks as using a rope to lasso cattle or a gun to discourage raiders attacking a herd. The bits used in English and Western bridles have design differences, primarily to support either one-handed or two-handed reining.

    Usage

    • You will find two basic types of bits, the curb and the snaffle, used in both English and Western riding. The curb, also called a grazing or leverage bit, involves a solid piece of metal that goes in the horse's mouth, rings and straight side pieces called shanks. The snaffle bit has a jointed middle. While Western riders in some cases may use a snaffle style bit, particularly for junior show classes or training as with young horses, more commonly they will use a curb. Western riding for senior show classes or for workaday use on western range land will typically use a Western-style curb that incorporates longer shanks than the English curb. While curb bits have popularity within English riding disciplines, also, overall the snaffle finds more use within English than within Western riding disciplines.

    Tom Thumb

    • The Tom Thumb bit finds use only within Western riding. The Tom Thumb bit attempts to assist the horse in transitioning between a snaffle and a curb bit. Consequently, the Tom Thumb bit incorporates elements of both the curb bit and the snaffle bit. Because the Tom Thumb bit has a jointed mid-section, you will often find this bit referred to as a snaffle bit. However, properly speaking, the Tom Thumb bit falls into the category of curb or leverage bit. While the Tom Thumb Western bit has worked well for some specific training purposes or specialized needs of individual horses, equestrian experts have mixed reactions regarding the potential benefits of using it.