Bits

Question 1

What is the process of finding the right bit for your horse?

Answer 1

You have to do it through experimenting and experience, trying different bits and feeling how the horse responds. Although there are so many bit and everyone have different and options to which bit is best.

Question 2

What does choosing the bit depend on?

Answer 2

-The type and breed of horse
- The confirmation and size of the mouth
- Horse’s temperament
- Any mouth problems; the horse may have a dry mouth, sensitivity in mouth or problems with its teeth
- The horses standard of training
- If the horse is strong
- The riders capabilities and experience
- The work the horse performs and level of training it’s at
- If the horse competes or not, as at some competitions as only certain bits are allowed.

Question 3

What are the 7 main families of bridles and bits?

Answer 3

1) Snaffle
2) Gag
3) Pelham
4) Curb
5) Bitless bridle
6) Kimblewick
7) Double

Question 4

What is a snaffle?

Answer 4

The most basic schooling bit, suitable for young horses. The single joint snaffle is the most commonly used, and comes in a variety of rings, mouthpieces and cheeks.

Question 5

How do bits work?

Answer 5

By movement and pressure on different parts of the horses head, depending on what type of bit it is.

Question 6

On what areas on the horse’s mouth/head can the bit act?

Answer 6

• Tongue
• Bars
• Lips
• Roof of mouth
• Corners of the mouth
• Sides of the cheeks
• Chin groove (curb chain)
• Nose (types of noseband)

Question 7

Where do snaffle bits act?

Answer 7

They place pressure on the tongue, the corners of the mouth, and the bars of mouth.

Question 8

What materials can bits be made from?

Answer 8

• Stainless steel
• Chromium plated steel
• Pure nickel
• Copper
• Alloys of stainless steel, copper and nickel
• Rubber
• Vulcanite
• Nylon
• Nathe

Question 9

Why is stainless steel the most popular bit material?

Answer 9

• Durable
• Relatively rust-proof
• Safe in the mouth as it doesn’t tend to break or bend.

Question 10

What are the advantages and disadvantages of chromium plated steel?

Answer 10

• It’s durable and safe
• Occasionally the chromium can flake off, leaving a roughened surface.

Question 11

Why is pure nickel not safe as a bit?

Answer 11

The metal is weak and can snap. A nickel bit can be recognised by it’s dull, yellow colour.

Question 12

When are copper bits used?

Answer 12

For horses that suffer from dry, fixed mouths, as it encourages salivation, making the mouth moist and relaxed.

Question 13

What are rubber bits made of?

Answer 13

Rubber is soft and mild, but easily bitten through. Any rubber bit must have a metal interior (bit or chain) to give it strength.

Question 14

What are vulcanite bits?

Answer 14

Vulcanite is made from rubber, hardened by heat. Though kind in action, the bit tends to be thick and heavy. It can also give very little ‘feel’ in the mouth.

Question 15

What is a nylon bit like?

Answer 15

The material is strong and durable, bit light in weight.

Question 16

What is nathe?

Answer 16

A pale yellow, rubbery plastic covering a chain of metal. This can be beneficial for a horse with a tender or sensitive mouth. But, nathe bits are easily bitten through and in some cases don’t last long.

Question 17

What are the main types of snaffle mouthpiece?

Answer 17

• Single jointed
• Double jointed
• Straight bar
• Mullen mouth

Question 18

What are the main types of snaffle ring?

Answer 18

• Loose ring
• Eggbutt
• D-ring
• Fulmer
• Long cheeked snaffle

Question 19

What is a single-jointed mouthpiece and how does it act?

Answer 19

• Applies pressure to the tongue, bars of mouth, corners of the mouth and the lips.
• Acts to raise the horse’s head.
• Has a nutcracker effect when the two arms increase and decrease the angle of the joint.
• Some variations can provide a stronger pressure such as the twisted snaffle with its twisted mouthpiece, which makes it sharp and severe.

Question 20

What is the difference between a soft and more severe bit?

Answer 20

• A mild or soft bit gives a light pressure, especially when used by kind hands. A more severe bit either has a more definite action, or applies pressure to another part of the horse’s mouth or head.
• A thicker bit tends to be milder than thinner, but it depends on the size of the horse’s mouth. A large bit in a small mouth could be uncomfortable.

Question 21

What is a double-jointed bit?

Answer 21

• The link between the arms of the mouthpiece provide two joints.
• It acts on the tongue, bars of mouth, corners of the mouth and the lips, but without the ‘nutcracker’ effect of the single jointed.

Question 22

What are the three types of double-jointed bit?

Answer 22

• The French link - which is mild and lies flat on the tongue.
• Dr Bristol - similar to the French link but more severe, as the link is set at an angle and puts more pressure on the tongue. The angle is caused by the arms of the mouthpiece being slightly twisted.
• The ring type called a Lozenge.

Question 23

What is a straight bar bit and how does it act?

Answer 23

• Pressure is applied on the tongue, bars of the mouth and the lips
• A straight bar provides mild action, with little movement in the mouth, so the horse may learn to lean on the bit.
• The metal and vulcanite bars can be heavy.

Question 24

What is a mullen mouth bit?

Answer 24

A straight bar with a raised portion above the tongue, which reduces pressure in this area.

Question 25

What is an loose ring?

Answer 25

• It allows freedom of movement through the mouthpiece. It gives a more subtle feel through the reins: not as fixed as the eggbutt.
• Suitable for horses who tend to lean or heavy on the bit, as the horse cannot take hold of the bit so easily.
• The movement can wear the metal thin where the ring passes through the mouthpiece. This can become sharp, and pinch or injure the horse’s mouth.

Question 26

What is an eggbutt ring?

Answer 26

• It’s designed to prevent pinching around the mouth.
• Suitable for a horse who has a ‘fussy’ mouth. The ring is fixed to the mouthpiece making the rider’s rein more direct.
• Good for riders who are not balanced in their seat, and use their hands for balance. The fixed ring reduces the undue movement transferring to the bit.
• But it limits the movement of the bit in the mouth, and can consequently give a ‘fixed’ feel.

Question 27

What is a D ring?

Answer 27

• A combination of the eggbutt snaffle and the full cheekpiece, it helps with steering by applying pressure to the side of mouth.
• The ring also helps stop the bit being pulled through the mouth. It works on tongue and bars of mouth.

Question 28

What is the Fulmer and Long Cheeked snaffle?

Answer 28

• The long cheekpieces are either attached at the mouthpiece known as the full cheek or as part of the loose ring known as the Fulmer snaffle. The cheekpieces act as a steering aid, by pressing on the cheek. The bit cannot be pulled through the mouth.
• Both Fulmer and full cheekpieces have leather keepers to hold the cheekpieces in place, which keeps the bit still in the mouth and applies poll pressure.
• The bit is useful for young horses in training to reinforce turning aids but not suitable for horses who lean or take hold of the bit.

Question 29

What is a hanging cheek bit?

Answer 29

• The action of the hanging cheek is often great for over sensitive horses.
• As pressure is taken up the bit is lifted in the mouth reducing pressure from the tongue and bars.
• The extension above the mouthpiece creates pressure on the poll, causing a head lowering action, or if the horse is moving well with impulsion from behind a rounding effect.

Question 30

What is a gag bit?

Answer 30

• The Gag is most commonly worn with one set of reins but to be most effective it should have two sets of rein attached. If riding with one set of reins it should be attached to the snaffle ring, which is the first ring adjacent to the mouthpiece.
  -The first set of reins is attached to the snaffle ring, it is used just like a loose ring hanging cheek bit, which uses poll pressure and lip pressure. The sliding loose ring also applies various pressures in the mouth depending on the mouthpiece it is in conjunction with.
• When the second rein is attached to the ring below, the pressures are increased as the lower rings produce more leverage. In the instance of using 2 reins then this bit can be used as a hanging cheek bit and then when more help is required, the second rein can be brought into play. If the bit is only used with one rein on the lower ring, then the pressure in applied constantly and no pressure release is available for the horse.

This bit is often used for a strong horse.

Question 31

What is a Pelham?

Answer 31

• The Pelham is designed to combine the action of the double bride. It comes in form of a straight bar, with a port or single jointed mouthpiece. With a port there is pressure on the roof of mouth, and with all Pelhams the lips, bars of mouth, chin groove and the poll.
• Pelham acts like a hanging cheek snaffle, putting slight pressure on the poll and various pressures in the mouth depending on the mouthpiece.
• When the second rein is brought into play, this increases the leverage and lip pressure, and also the curb chain comes into play.
• The greater the distance between the cheek slot and the mouthpiece the greater the poll pressure. The greater the length of shank the greater the amount of leverage.
• The curb chain should be fitted so that the curb chain tightens when the second rein is brought into play, but there must be a bit of give so not to tighten up straight away.
• You can ride the Pelham with one or two reins, if using one rein a leather loop called Roundings is attached to where the reins would attach.

Question 32

What is the Kimblewick?

Answer 32

• It’s part of the Pelham family as it has the same principles, but milder.
• It can be either a straight bar with an arched (port) mouthpiece, a straight bar or jointed mouthpiece, a fixed D ring and curb chain.
• It acts on the bars of mouth, chin groove and the poll.
• On the Uxeter Kimblewick the reins can be attached through the slots to keep them from sliding. If the reins are placed in the lower slot the bit will have more curb action than the upper slot.

Question 33

What is a curb bit?

Answer 33

• The idea of the curb is, through pressure on the horse’s poll, together with the curb chain acting on the chin groove, to encourage the horse to lower its head.
• Depending on the length of the shank determines how much action the cheek will have on the poll, rotating around the mouthpiece, the longer it is the more severe it is.
• Commonly known as the Weymouth is rarely used on its own and is more commonly used to combine the bridoon bit to make a double bridle.
• It puts pressure on the bars of mouth, lips, chin groove and poll.

Question 34

What is a Bridoon?

Answer 34

• Acts like a normal snaffle to raise the horses head, when the horse holds its head too low it will act on the roof of mouth.
• It’s a modified snaffle bit that is smaller in diameter and has smaller bit rings than a traditional snaffle, and it is adjusted so that it sits above and behind the other bit, a curb bit, in the double bridle.

Question 35

What is a double bridle?

Answer 35

• A double bridle should only be used by an experienced rider and a very well-schooled horse.
• The bridoon is attached to the bridle by an extra headpiece called the ‘bridoon sliphead’ and the Weymouth (curb) attaches to the cheekpieces.
• the Cavesson is the only noseband that should be used with a double bridle.
• The curb chain is either a single or double jointed chain which attaches to the hooks on top of the curb bit. The curb chain should have a ‘fly link’ which is the centre link, so when the lip strap is on it enables the strap to go the through the ‘fly link’ to hold the chain in place.
• You use two pairs of reins the snaffle rein which attaches to the bridoon and a curb rein which is thinner than a snaffle rein attaches to the curb.
• The curb rein being thinner also helps the rider know which rein they are holding.
• The main function of the lipstrap is to stop the cheek of sliding cheek curbs from inverting and rendering the curb ineffective, or from being dragged into the horse’s mouth and to hold the chain in place.

Question 36

What is the bitless bridle?

Answer 36

• A bitless bridle as by name it has no bit, also known as a hackamore.
• It puts pressure on the poll and nose.
• It useful for horses with a sore or injured mouth, poor mouth confirmation and for some horses who object strongly to a bit.
• Although it can be a nightmare for horses who are strong as they tend to ignore it.

Question 37

How are bits measured and fitted?

Answer 37

• Bits are measured in inches, a pony size mouth can be 4 ½ to 5 inches and anything bigger can vary from 5 ¼, 5 ½, 5 ¾ to 6 inches.
• When the bit is in the horse’s mouth there should be a thumb tip width (¼ inch) either side of the bit between the bit ring and the horse’s lips. There should also be a wrinkle or two in the corner of the mouth to show the bit fits correctly.
• If the bit is too tight it will pinch on the corners of the mouth and lips, if too big it will slide around the horse’s mouth.

Question 38

What is overbitting?

Answer 38

• Using a harsher bit than necessary.
• This may happen when a rider who is not proficient enough to use a milder bit, has to use a stronger bit to gain control.
• The bars of a horse’s mouth have nerve endings that can become numb to feeling, through overbitting or bad, hard riding. The result is a ‘hard mouth’ and a horse who is unresponsive to the bit.