How to Choose a Bit for a Horse

Choosing the proper bit for your horse can be challenging. Sorting through the vast selection of bits when you're shopping at a tack shop can be overwhelming. The purpose of a bit is to apply pressure to the tongue and bars in the horse's mouth to give direction and guidance to the horse. The bars are the toothless sections on either side of the horse's mouth between the front teeth and back teeth. Some bits are meant to apply heavy pressure to the bars, others much lighter. Some seek to apply pressure to the tongue, while others aim to free the tongue from any obstacles. A fatter bit displaces pressure more evenly than one with a thin mouthpiece. Imagine carrying a suitcase with a string for a handle instead of a wide leather handle. The thin string would cause you much more discomfort than the wide handle. The same concept goes for your horse's bit.The mouthpiece can be straight across between the bars, hinged in the middle, or arched in the middle. A straight bit puts more pressure on the bars because there is no hinge to relieve the force of the rein. A joint relieves some of that pressure. And an arched tongue groove relieves the pressure on the tongue, which can be distracting to your horse, allowing no loss of the directional control afforded by a straight bit.Snaffle bits are the most common and most comfortable for your horse. Curb bits are usually used on more experienced horses. Curbs lessen the time it takes for your rein aids to reach the bit. They add leverage to the bridle putting pressure on the poll - the part of the head behind the ears where the bridle rests. Curbs are very effective in western riding because the rider uses a loose rein. The pressure on the mouth and poll rarely becomes excessive.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bridle

Types of snaffle bits

1. 
   Loose ring snaffle

   Loose Ring Snaffle: On a loose ring, the reins and the bit are attached to a large round ring, but it is not in a fixed position. Since the reins and bit mouthpiece can slide, it lays in a natural position across the bars. The mouthpiece is jointed so there will be some action on the tongue and roof of the mouth.

2. 
   Full Cheek Snaffle

   Full Cheek Snaffle: A vertical bar is used on either side of the mouthpiece to prevent the bit from sliding through the mouth. The mouthpiece is jointed for some action on tongue and roof of the mouth.

3. 
   D Ring Snaffle

   D Ring Snaffle: This bit is very similar to the Full Cheek. The D shaped cheek piece prevents the mouthpiece from sliding side to side. It can have either a jointed or straight mouthpiece. The straight piece puts more pressure on the bars since there is no release in the middle.

4. Eggbutt Snaffle: The eggbutt looks very similar to a D ring but the rings are soft and oval shaped. It is the most gentle bit for your horse and it's designed not to pinch the corners of the horse's mouth.

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