Snaffle bits are probably the most popular and most widely-used bits in the horse world today. They generally started in the world of Eastern riding and have migrated to the “cowboy” world in droves. They a considered the mildest, but caution should still be exercised. Any bit can be harsh and punishing in the wrong hands, and some snaffle-mouth bits have quite a bite.
The curb chain or strap is mounted in the chin groove under the horse’s chin between the bit shanks of the bit. It steadies the bit within the mouth (keeping it centered), and it controls the lever action of the reins. It keeps the bit shanks from bit from over-rotating. The curb strap acts as… Read More Curb Chain
Horse Bit Leverage Explained Leverage is the pounds of pressure transmitted through a horse’s bit per pounds of pressure from a rider’s hands through the reins. If a rider pulls on the reins with one pound of pressure and the horse’s bit transmits one pound of pressure so that the horse actually feels one pound… Read More Bit Leverage
Gag Bits Explained I am not an expert in Gag Bits. Most of this information was gleaned from other’s writings. If any of our Horse-Pros.com friends would like to contribute, please feel free to do so. The sliding action of a Gag Bit applies most of the pressure to the horse’s lips and corners of… Read More Gag Bit
Introduction to Pelham Horse Bits The pelham bit has one rein (split) or two-rein capability. It has a large D-ring directly attached to the mouthpiece for a snaffle rein and a curb loop at the bottom of the shank for a curb rein. The snaffle rein is used most often for general riding, lateral turns,… Read More Pelham Bit
The Kimberwick is one of the most popular types of Pelham Bits. It has one rein (split) or two-rein capability. The rein attached to the snaffle loop acts like a simple snaffle bit and is used for general riding and lateral movement while the lower rein (the one with a shank to magnify pressure) acts… Read More Kimberwick Bit
Introduction to Snaffle Bits The Snaffle configuration by itself is a mild bit and one of the most universally used mouthpieces. It can be thick and mild on the bars and tongue or more severe if it has a thin twisted wire mouthpiece. It can be combined with many variations such as a Copper Roller,… Read More Snaffle Bit Basics
A horse’s mouth with a foreign object in it (a bit) will likely need some saliva to lubricate the fit and comfort of the bit. However, there is a belief that salivation aids relaxation. In other words, a happy mouth is a wet mouth. And a relaxed horse, has a happy mouth. In some show… Read More Salivation
A horse is said to have a “hard” mouth when he has developed callouses in the corners of his mouth or dead spots on the bars of his mouth where nerve endings have been damaged. The more callouses or dead spots, the more pain he can take and the harder you will have to pull… Read More Hard Mouth
Shop Horse Bits Why a Bit? Start Here Horse Bits Explained A horse’s mouth is one of the most sensitive parts of his anatomy. He can discern and manipulate his environment from his first days as an inquisitive foal, chewing on everything, practising separating grass from weed and food from dirt. Bitting a horse and… Read More Bits, Horse – Intro