Kinds of Horse Bits

A bit is a metal contraption that sits inside a horse's mouth. It is attached to a leather bridle that fits around the horse's head, and to reins. The bit allows a rider to guide the horse by putting pressure on the horse's mouth through the reins from the rider's hands.

  1. Snaffles

    • The snaffle bit is the mildest type of bit. It is a non-leverage type, meaning that it does not use a shank or lever to raise the bit in the horse's mouth for control. A snaffle bit has a jointed mouthpiece with a ring attached to both ends. A snaffle bit can have loose rings that move around the horse's mouth, d-rings, eggbutt rings or full cheek rings that keep the bit from slipping through the horse's mouth.

    Curbs

    • Curb bits are harsher types of bits that use leverage to help the rider maintain control. Western curb bits have long shanks due to the loose-reined style of western riding. English curb bits have shorter shanks, four or five inches, and often have chains that loop beneath the horse's chin for additional control. Curb bits can have a single mouthpiece or a jointed mouthpiece and can utilize one or two sets of reins at a time.

    Gags

    • A gag bit is similar to a snaffle bit in that is has a jointed mouthpiece with a ring on either end. The gag bit also has a rope that slides through the rings of the bit to use leverage for control, similar to a curb bit. The bit uses two reins, one on the bit ring and one on the ring at the bottom of the rope. This combination allows for gentle contact or harsher contact depending on which rein is pulled.

    Hackamores

    • A hackamore is a pseudo type of bit that does not have a mouthpiece. The bit uses a strap to put pressure on the horse's nose and to guide him in either direction. A curb chain prevents the strap from simply lifting off the nose. A shank, also called a cheek on the hackamore, is attached on each side of the strap. There is another bar called the hobble that links the shanks together.

    Variations

    • Snaffle, curb and gag bits come in a variety of mouthpiece sizes and shapes, both jointed and single barred for different levels of severity and control. The mouthpieces are made of copper, stainless steel or rubber. Some metal bits have rubber covered mouthpieces for added softness. Curb chains can be metal links or leather straps and can have gel or fleece padding for additional comfort. Hackamores vary in width of nose strap and cheek length.