{"id":271,"date":"2016-06-24T12:00:16","date_gmt":"2016-06-24T16:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/?p=271"},"modified":"2024-01-10T22:11:45","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T02:11:45","slug":"your-guide-to-different-types-of-horse-bits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/your-guide-to-different-types-of-horse-bits\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Different Types of Horse Bits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here\u2019s a quick little guide you can refer to for different types of horse bits! Whether you are in the process of bit shopping right now or if you just want a handy guide to refer to every now and again, I wanted to put this together to make it easier for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one of those things that you always have to look up again to remember properly, which is annoying and takes forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You aren\u2019t the only one!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First know that you shouldn\u2019t be embarrassed if you have trouble sorting out all the different types of bits in your head. Or if you find yourself frustrated and confused when facing the bit wall at the tack store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, many horse owners get overwhelmed by the range in types of bits available. They are just by nature confusing – especially because they are all designed to look different up on that wall when fundamentally there\u2019s only a few real differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: What is a Pelham Bit?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Break it down to the basics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Okay, so what are the basics of the types of horse bits? How can we make it simpler for ourselves to sort through them all? The first thing is breaking them down to the main types of horse bits based on design.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Your<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

All bits can be sorted into two main classes based on their overall design and how they govern interaction between your hands and the horse’s mouth. Within these two main classes, there are little differences that can vary the intensity of the interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then after that, there is the material used to make the bit. This is important because it controls how comfortable the stationary bit is going to be in the horse\u2019s mouth and whether the horse will develop a taste for the bit or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The TWO main types of bits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The two overall classes are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The snaffle bit<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The curb bit<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In a snaffle bit, the reins attach directly to the mouthpiece. The horse will feel virtually an equal amount of pressure on the mouth as the rider is providing on the reins. The bite of the bit does, however, vary with design specifications. It doesn\u2019t make a difference what the bit looks like, what the design is or how many times the bit is broken or not – if the reins attach directly to the mouthpiece you know you\u2019re dealing with a snaffle bit. Here’s an example:<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Example
    Example of a snaffle bit<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The second main class of bits is the curb bit. Curb bits are distinguished by the fact that the reins attach to an intermediate leverage piece that is then attached to the mouthpiece. This means the horse will feel a larger amount of pressure on the mouth than the rider is providing on the reins. There is a curb or chin strap attached to the mouthpiece, which serves to stabilize the shanks to which the reins are attached. You can see an example below:<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Example
    Example of a curb bit<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Variations on the snaffle bit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    Snaffle bits have a few possible variations. First, they may be broken in one or several places. Second, the cheek pieces, or the rings to which the reins attach can vary in size. Finally the circumference or thickness of the bit can vary in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The basic rule of snaffle bits is that the larger the surface that\u2019s in contact with the horse, the less bite the bit has or the gentler it is This makes sense as the pressure exerted by the rider is distributed across a greater surface area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So this can be broken down with the following design criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n