Horse Bitting Guide | Help & Advice | Houghton Country

Why does your horse need a bit?

A horse bit describes a piece of metal, plastic, rubber or leather that is used with a bridle to help the rider control and communicate effectively with their horse while riding. Selecting the right bit type for your horse is important because it not only helps to ensure optimum comfort for your horse, but is also important for rider safety and fine-tuning performance. Here at Houghton Country we know that many riders don’t know where to start finding the perfect bit, with lots of misinformation and misleading marketing out there. We hope this guide will give you a good starting point in choosing a suitable bit to try with your horse – you can browse our full range of horse bits here.

A horse will generally start its ridden life in a snaffle bit, and many horses will stay in a snaffle for their entire career. A snaffle consists of a mouthpiece attached to two rings and is an example of a horse bit that does not exert poll pressure. These cheek types are dressage-legal as long as they are paired with a permitted mouthpiece.

• The loose ring snaffle is one of the most popular types of horse bit, available with many different mouthpieces. The fact that the ring runs through the mouthpiece allows the rider some ‘play’ and absorbs some movement from the rider’s hands if they do not yet have an independent seat.
• Another popular choice, especially for inexperienced horses that can be hesitant about dropping onto the contact, is the eggbutt. The fixed eggbutt cheek, where there is no sliding action between the mouthpiece and the cheek, means that the bit stays more stable in the mouth, giving the horse stability and confidence to take the contact forwards.
• Offering the same stability as the eggbutt, the D-ring is a horse bit that helps with steering due to the larger contact area against the horse’s face, and so is often chosen for breaking or training young or inexperienced horses.
• The full cheek and fulmer bits are likely to offer the most help with straightness and steering, and less likely to pull through the mouth, and so are often chosen for breakers. They are also used as bits for showjumping where tight turns are required, or in the cross-country phase of eventing for accuracy.
• The hanging cheek, also known as a drop cheek or baucher, encourages the horse to come round into an outline, and so is often chosen for horses that poke their nose out. The fixed cheek keeps the bit stable in the mouth and offers some help with steering. This cheek type is believed by some to cause some mild poll pressure, but bitting company Neue Schule have conducted research showing that it is the only bit that truly relieves the poll.

It is not uncommon for a horse to outgrow the control that a snaffle can offer; at this point a rider may look to step up to a bit designed for faster work, and this is where horse bits with a lever action are useful. There is no shame in making this transition, and it is kinder and safer to give a subtle aid and gain response from your horse, than be forced into a fight. Bits that make use of a lever action exert some poll pressure, meaning the force exerted from the rider’s hands is dispersed on not just the mouth, but up the cheek pieces to the poll. This lever action can provide extra control and create lift with a stronger horse, making leverage bits good for strong horses. One sensible transition from a loose ring snaffle is a Wilkie, also known as a Bevel; attaching your reins to the bottom loop of this bit has a slight lever effect. Another relatively mild step-up is the Kimblewick, Butterfly Flip or Butterfly Pelham, all of which offer the option of a mild leverage effect or increased leverage for the stronger horse, depending where you attach the reins. 

Gags are a bigger step up from a snaffle than the above bits, and consist of more than one ring on the cheek. The lowest ring would exert the most poll pressure and while the Dutch Gag is a good bit for a strong horse, this can have the effect of lowering the head, so may not be effective if the horse evades by pulling downwards. The Dutch Gag, also known as the Continental Gag, Bubble Bit or 4-Ring Gag, is one of the most long-standing designs, and comprises four rings; the cheek pieces always attach to the top, while the reins can attach to any of the lower three. Pelham roundings can be used between two rings, but this bit is most commonly used with one set of reins attached directly to one set of rings. This bit can also be used with a leather curb strap which limits poll pressure and introduces a new contact area to which some horses respond well.

The Universal is a neater-looking, 3-ring gag and a very popular choice, offering many rein options. The Universal has a lifting action, and can be used with one set of reins attached to the middle or bottom ring, pelham roundings on both rings, or two sets of reins with one pair attached to each ring. A leather curb strap can also be used.

There are also Elevators, American Gags and Tom Thumbs, designed for extra lift, control, outline, and help with turning. They are often chosen as good bits for showjumping to sit the horse up on its hocks to facilitate tight turns and collection in the canter.

The running gags, like the Cheltenham Gag, have a special cheekpiece running through the ring of the bit – the reins are attached to the bottom of this cheek piece and when the rider uses this rein a lever action and poll pressure is exerted. It is advised to ride with two sets of reins, with the other rein attached to the snaffle ring, to provide a clearer differentiation between the snaffle and the lever effect, and prevent the horse from becoming over-bent or behind the vertical.

Pelhams can be ridden with one set of reins with Pelham roundings or two sets of reins, and make use of curb pressure with the curb chain as well as poll pressure. The effect of this cheek type is generally to lower the head. Pelhams are a popular choice of a horse bit for showing as they can give the appearance of doubles without two bits in the horse’s mouth. Outside of showing, they are used as a bit for a strong horse, and are available with a variety of mouthpieces to suit your and your horse’s needs. It is recommended to pad the curb chain with a curb guard when introducing the curb chain to your horse; if more chin groove pressure is needed, this guard can be removed.

Double-jointed describes a mouthpiece design that has a central link, plate, barrel or lozenge. When rein contact is taken up, this joint makes contact with the centre of the horse’s tongue, while the arms, or canons, of the mouthpiece wrap around the tongue and may place some pressure on the bars (the pointed bones that lie under the tongue). There is movement between the joint and the canons, giving the rider some ‘play’ with subtle rein aids and allowing the mouthpiece to lie in a way that conforms to the shape of the horse’s mouth more anatomically to be more comfortable. 

• Lozenge: A double-jointed bit with a lozenge is probably the most chosen design, popular as a bit for young horses, leisure horses, and competition horses across lots of disciplines. The lozenge provides a smooth and round surface area thought to be more comfortable as there are no pressure points
• French Link: The French Link is one of the oldest designs and is still widely used. It features a flat plate, or ‘link’, the thin edge of which rotates under rein contact to make contact with the tongue depending on the cheek it is used with. This thin surface area creates more pressure than a lozenge. 
• Dr Bristol: The Dr Bristol features a longer plate than the French Link. This plate is angled at 45° from the canons which means that under rein contact the broad, flat edge of the plate, as opposed to the very thin edge, makes contact with the tongue. 

A single-jointed mouthpiece consists of the two arms of the mouthpiece, with no central lozenge or plate. When the reins are taken up, each arm of the mouthpiece wraps around the tongue to make contact with the edges of the tongue and utilise bar pressure, relieving the centre of the tongue. Most horses prefer the more even pressure distribution of a double-jointed design, but it is not uncommon for a horse to go well in a single-joint. 

The Waterford mouthpiece is made up of many links, making it malleable and therefore a good bit for a strong horse as they will find it difficult to take hold and snatch or pull. This design is chosen for very strong horses that ignore the aids of the rider to gain ground. It is not suitable for young, inexperienced or sensitive horses, and would not be advised for a novice rider who does not yet have an independent seat and soft hands. It is generally advised to size up when moving into this mouthpiece to reduce the risk of the links causing rubs to the horse’s lips.

For more advice on choosing bits for strong horses, watch the video below.

As the name suggests, a straight bar bit consists of a single bar that lays across the tongue. They can be made of plastic, rubber or metal. This mouthpiece distributes even pressure across the whole of the mouth, meaning it can help encourage a tentative horse to drop onto the contact. They can however be less suited to ones with a fleshy tongue as they are often quite thick in diameter. A mullen mouth is used to describe a mouthpiece that is curved forwards to lie on the horse’s tongue a little more comfortably. Straight bars and mullen mouths can make good bits for sensitive horses.

A port is an upwards groove that allows more space for the horse’s tongue than a straight bar or mullen mouth. Low ports, which feature a more subtle curve and are useful for horses with a low palette to prevent the bit coming into contact with the roof of the mouth, and higher ports are available. Some horses, especially those with a big, fleshy tongue, may prefer a ported bit.

Stainless steel has been used in horse bits for years and is a long-lasting, durable metal that will not rust, is easy to clean and is neutral in taste.

Copper, brass alloy and sweet iron horse bits conduct heat more quickly than stainless steel, so warm up in the horse’s mouth more quickly. These metals also produce a sweet taste when they come in contact with the horse’s saliva, encouraging salivation and chewing. These metals are softer than stainless steel and so will wear and need replacing more quickly.

Like copper alloys, plastic bits will be relatively warm in the horse’s mouth as they do not conduct heat, and are therefore often preferred as a bit for sensitive horses. Plastic bits are often flavoured to encourage salivation, like the Happy Mouth range. Plastic is less hard-wearing than any metal, and so it is important to regularly check these bits for sharp edges caused by mouthing.

Rubber is another sensible choice as a mouthpiece of a bit for a horse with a sensitive mouth, as like plastic it is relatively warm in the horse’s mouth. Harder or softer variations are available, and like plastic, they must be checked for sharp edges that can develop if the horse chews the bit. 

Different thicknesses of horse bit suit different mouth conformations and rider needs, and the effect of diameter should not be underestimated. Some rubber or plastic bits can be as thick as 20mm, while thinner designs tend to start at 10mm. The thicker the mouthpiece the less sharp the rein aids, and so a thicker design is often chosen as a bit for a sensitive horse. A thinner mouthpiece enhances the rein aids, and so may be a good bit for a strong horse that can perhaps be heavy in the hand.

Another factor to consider when choosing the diameter of your new bit is the room that your horse has in his mouth. The tongue fills the entirety of the mouth when the horse is not bridled, and so by placing a bit in the mouth we inevitably depress the tongue. The tongue can easily recompress like a sponge, but a mouth which houses a big, fat, fleshy tongue may find a thick bit uncomfortable as it is likely to push onto the sensitive roof of the mouth. A thinner design may be the best bit for a horse with a fat tongue. Sprenger have developed a useful guide for assessing how much space your horse has in the mouth.

If you already have a bit that fits but are unsure what size it is, you can easily measure it to ascertain what size your horse takes. To accurately measure a loose ring bit, including gags with a loose ring action like the Dutch Gag and Universal, lay the bit flat on a table and place a ruler, or tape measure held taut, underneath the mouthpiece. Measure from the inside of the bore hole (the hole that the loose ring runs through) to the inside of the other bore hole. You can see below that this bit is 114mm. 

When a contact is taken up, there should be just over half a cm of mouthpiece showing between the horse’s lip and the loose rings, whereas with a fixed cheek there should be less. It is not uncommon for riders to choose a horse bit that is too big, thinking too big is better than too small, but if the mouthpiece is too long it is likely to slide through the mouth and cause discomfort, bruising and sores. A bit that is too big can also make it easier for the horse to get their tongue over the bit, which can cause severe discomfort. Conversely, if the horse’s bit is too small, the cheeks are likely to cause rubs on the horse’s face and lips. Bit guards can be used to help prevent loose ring bits pinching or make a bit sit a little more snugly, but if you compete, it is worth noting they are not permitted for use in dressage.

If you are looking for your horse’s first bit, it can be a case of trial and error; it may be worth trying a bit and assessing as above whether it is too big or too small. If you do not have several bits handy to try, there are bit sizers available, or a simple and safe method is to place the handle of a wooden spoon inside the mouth and mark where the horse’s lips lie. The measurement between these marks will equate to the size your horse would take in a fixed cheek bit, while ¼ of an inch will need to be added for a loose ring.

Every discipline has its own horse bitting rules when it comes to permitted tack, but perhaps the most stringent is dressage, where only simple mouthpiece snaffles are permitted. This is because dressage is a test of the horse and rider’s ability to work in harmony with each other, and a simple snaffle allows the rider to demonstrate this communication. If you are competing in the UK, you can check the British Dressage Rulebook which is updated regularly. Every country will have their own governing body, the rules of which will be applicable when competing at National level. If you are competing at International level, FEI rules will apply, and these are usually not too different from national rules.

There are different rules regarding bits permitted in British Showjumping and FEI Showjumping competitions. These rules are less restrictive, with gags and pelhams being a popular choice, but before taking your horse to a show, whether at unaffiliated or affiliated level, it is worth checking the relevant rulebooks. Eventing rules are split into separate rules for the dressage, showjumping and cross-country phases.

A set of doubles refers to a combination of two bits that are present simultaneously in the horse’s mouth that are used when riding with a double bridle. There is a bridoon, the equivalent of a snaffle with smaller rings, which can be either an eggbutt or a loose ring, and a Weymouth, which has a curb action with a poll pressure effect. In dressage, it is permitted to ride in doubles from Elementary. Doubles used to be compulsory at higher level, but it is now permissible to ride up to Grand Prix level in a snaffle; the addition of a Weymouth may help with the elevation needed for the more advanced movements, but it is no longer required. We would suggest discussing the introduction of doubles with your coach before riding in them, and a qualified bit fitter will be able to advise which Weymouth may suit. Doubles are also seen on the hunting field and occasionally in showjumping and eventing, and are desirable in the showing ring in place of a pelham. 

A hackamore is a noseband used in place of a bit which makes use of nose and jaw pressure. Some horses that are sensitive in the mouth are happier in a hackamore, but the pressure on the nasal bone is significant and so this is not a piece of equipment recommended for very young or inexperienced horses, or novice riders. 

A chifney is an in-hand bit that is helpful with horses that rear, barge and are not good to lead. It is used with a slip-head and a lead rope attached to a ring at the back of it. A chifney is severe when pressure is applied and so is not to be used by an inexperienced handler, but is intended for use with stallions, racehorses and fit competition horses that can be dangerous to lead in a headcollar.

Signs of discomfort can include opening the mouth, trying to get the tongue behind or over the bit, constant chewing and chomping, and excessive salivation. If your horse displays any of these behaviours, it may be worth thinking about changing the bit using the guidelines above.

Many riders are keen to keep their horse in a snaffle, maintaining the ideology that a well-schooled horse will be rideable in all scenarios with as little tack as possible. There will be times, however, when more control is needed; many horses find jumping and fun rides more exciting than flatwork, for example, and the rider may need extra help with control of a strong horse in these situations. There is nothing wrong with having different bits for different activities, and a change in bit can be beneficial to ‘freshen up’ the mouth, making use of new contact areas and resting others.

Your young horse’s first experience of a bit is a big moment in his life, and it is important to take time and care in introducing the bit correctly. For years mouthing bits with keys in the centre have been used to encourage acceptance as the horse is likely to play with these. Prolonged use of this type of bit can however encourage mouthiness and exacerbated chewing and chomping on the bit. A simple fixed cheek snaffle is a sensible choice to begin to introduce walking in-hand, perhaps with a rubber or plastic straight bar or mullen mouth mouthpiece. It is sensible to bridle the horse but lead from a headcollar initially, to introduce the presence of the bit without relying on it for control and potentially giving the horse a bad experience if a firmer hand is needed. 

For backing and breaking, a full cheek is often chosen due to the reduced risk of the bit sliding through the mouth and additional help with steering that this cheek type provides. It is important to be cautious with this cheek type, however, as the cheeks can easily become caught in haynets, and so it is advised to never leave a horse unsupervised while it is bridled with a full cheek. A D-Ring would be an alternative that reduces this risk but still offers help with steering. 

There are very few restrictions when it comes to bits that are permissible in ridden showing classes, but there are lots of unwritten rules regarding what is favourable. Wilkies are often seen with ponies, but Universals are increasingly seen, while pelhams or doubles are always a traditional choice. 

Many riders will alternate between two or more bits, using perhaps one for flatwork, schooling and/or dressage, and another for faster work such as showjumping, cross-country, fun rides, hunting or hacking. Changing bits ‘freshens up’ the horse’s mouth, resting contact areas intermittently. Horses often become a little numb to the same contact areas being consistently used, and when a new bit is tried, the horse often responds very well initially. Some very sensitive horses also do better when their bit is changed regularly, perhaps every week or month, or depending on activity. If your horse does not need more than a snaffle but you are looking to change bits because they are sensitive, it would be advisable to alternate between two different suitable mouthpieces on a snaffle cheek. If you require a different bit for faster work, you may want to use a similar mouthpiece with a cheek designed for more control, or it may be that a change in mouthpiece would also be beneficial.

The answer to this question would entirely depend on your current bit and why it has been banned. The ethos of dressage is to showcase harmonious communication between horse and rider with as little intervention as possible, and so any bit that is viewed as forcing a horse into a particular frame or into a particular movement would not be permitted. All bits that are permitted for dressage according to either British Dressage or FEI rules are therefore mild and interfere with the horse’s natural way of going as little as possible. If your horse will only go well in a gag or pelham, you are likely to struggle to see the same effect from a dressage-legal snaffle, as these bits act on very different areas of the horse. 

A curb chain is a chain that lies in the chin groove of the horse and comes with a pelham, kimblewick and Weymouth. Gel, leather and sheepskin guards are available and it is advised to use a guard when introducing the curb chain to the horse initially. Many people continue to use a guard as the skin under the horse’s chin is relatively thin, but if a stronger effect is desired, the guard can be removed. A curb strap also lies in the chin groove and is made of leather; it has a softer effect than the curb chain, and can be used on gag bits. The effect of both the curb chain and strap is to limit poll pressure: when the reins are pulled to the extent that the bit rotates past 45°, the curb chain or strap makes contact with the horse’s chin and prevents the bit from rotating any further, thus limiting poll pressure. Some horses also respond really well to pressure in the chin groove rather than the mouth or poll, and so if you are finding your horse is not going well in your gag bit, it can certainly be worth adding a curb strap to see if he prefers chin groove pressure.

A bitless bridle makes use of pressure on the nose, cheeks, chin groove, and/or poll but does not employ the mouth. Several designs are available and one of the most popular ones is a hackamore. A bitless bridle can be a really useful piece of kit for example while your horse is recovering from injury to the jaw or to test whether a certain behaviour is a bitting issue. Some horses do prefer a bitless bridle over a bit and many riders will continue to use a bitless bridle in training and in competition, however the pressure these bridles put on the nose, poll and chin groove should not be underestimated, and a bitless bridle is not necessarily kinder for every horse than a bit.

We hope you have found this guide helpful in choosing the right bit for you and your horse. Still confused? Visit our store to browse our full range of bits and speak to one of our helpful sales assistants, or contact our knowledgeable team on 01661 853110.