English
Bits are a common component of riding equipment, used by the vast majority of riders. Bits play an important role in communication between the horse and rider, and the choice of bit can influence the horse’s responsiveness to cues.
Horse owners have been using bits since the early domestication of equines. [1] Early evidence of bits dates to 3000 BC, although metal bits did not arise until the Bronze Age when smelting became widespread. Today, most riders use bits as a standard piece of riding equipment, although there is growing interest in bitless bridles.
There are a wide variety of bits available, with many configurations of mouthpieces and cheekpieces available. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a novice equestrian enthusiast, understanding the function and impact of bits is fundamental to ensuring the comfort and performance of your horse.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about bits, including their various types, how they work, and considerations when choosing the right bit for your horse.
How Bits for Horses Work
Bits allow riders to apply pressure to the horse’s mouth and head as a means of control. Horses naturally want to evade pressure, causing the horse to change its way of going in response to a rein cue. [1]
When bit pressure is strong, either due to the rider’s hands or mechanics of the bit, horses may respond unfavorably and fight against this pressure. [1] These horses may require different bitting choices to find a level of pressure that the horse accepts, while still allowing the rider to communicate effectively. [1]
There are two main factors to consider in a bit’s function: its action and severity.
Bit Action
Depending on the sport performed, the horse’s behavior, and other factors, riders select bits based on the location(s) where the bit applies pressure. [1] The location where the bit applies pressure is called the bit’s action.
The bit’s action is largely determined by the cheekpieces. [1] Depending on this configuration, rein action moving the bit in the horse’s mouth can apply pressure in one or more locations. [1]
Common locations for bits to apply pressure include: [1]
- Poll
- Tongue
- Lips
- Palate
- Bars
- Chin groove
- Nose
These areas are highly sensitive, with many nerve endings that can detect even subtle changes in bit pressure. [1] This allows the horse to detect even small movements of the rider’s hands on the reins.
Bit Severity
Riders must also consider the severity of a bit when making bitting decisions. The bit’s severity depends on the degree of pressure applied, and the pain associated with pressure.
The degree of pressure depends on the bit’s action and the configuration of the bit. For example, snaffle bits, where the rein attaches directly to the bit’s mouthpiece, typically have a 1:1 ratio of pressure. [1] In other words, the amount of pressure put on the reins is the amount of pressure felt in the horse’s mouth.
This contrasts with leverage bits and other types of bits, which have shanks. [1] In these bits, the reins attach lower on the shanks than the mouthpiece. This produces a leverage effect that acts on the horse’s mouth and poll.
These bits increase pressure coming from the rider’s hand due to the leverage effect. [1] For example, a leverage bit with a 3-inch shank could increase the pressure felt by the horse by a 1:3 ratio. [1]
The mouthpiece of the bit also affects its severity. Some mouthpieces have a “sharper” effect on the horse’s mouth, versus others which produce dull pressure. The “sharper” the mouthpiece, the more severe the bit, regardless of the bit’s action or configuration. [1]
Finally, other bit attachments can also affect bit severity. For example, some bits have curb straps which sit in the horse’s chin groove and apply pressure when the rider activates the bit.
Curb straps range in severity from a simple piece of leather to a chain. A leather strap produces duller pressure, while the chain produces a sharper, more severe pressure. [1] This also applies to bits with built-in nosebands that can also vary in severity depending on design and tightness..
The bit’s severity can disguise gaps and flaws in the horse and rider’s training. [1] It’s important that riders do not rely on a stronger bit to fix problems encountered during their training process. [1] All riders should aim to ride in the gentlest bit possible for their horse, to maximize welfare.
Mouthpieces
The mouthpiece is the part of the bit that sits in the horse’s mouth. Mouthpieces come in many different designs and materials. Riders choose the material, size of the bit, and the mouthpiece design based on their horse’s individual needs as a performance animal. [1]
Materials
The bit’s material can affect the horse’s response to the bit. Some horses prefer the taste of certain metals over others, while some horses cannot tolerate metal bits whatsoever. Often, a degree of experimentation is necessary for riders to determine what bit material works best for their horse.
Common mouthpiece materials include: [1][2]
- Stainless steel: The conventional material for making bits
- Copper: Promotes increased salivation in horses
- Sweet iron: A sweet-tasting metal that promotes increased salivation in horses
- German silver: A gold-colored metal that tastes sweeter than regular stainless steel
- Rubber or plastic: Provides a softer feel for the horse’s mouth
- Leather: Provides a soft feel and conforms to the shape of the horse’s mouth when wet
Sizing a Bit
Riders must choose bits appropriate for their individual horse, based on the horse’s conformation. [1] The horse must find the bit comfortable to wear at rest, when the rider is not applying any rein action.
Factors of the horse’s conformation to consider when sizing a bit include: [1]
- Width of the horse’s mouth
- Size of the horse’s tongue
- Available space between the horse’s tongue and their palate
Tack suppliers usually only list the width of the bit’s mouthpiece on the store tag. [1] Riders should have an experienced person examine the bit’s fit in the horse’s mouth. This includes evaluating for: [1]
- Pinching of the tongue
- Assessing the thickness of the bit relative to the horse’s mouth
- Ensuring the bit does not interact with the horse’s palate unintentionally
The thickness of the mouthpiece also impacts severity. [6] Thinner mouthpieces produce sharper pressure, while wider mouthpieces produce a dull pressure. However, a mouthpiece tha