Choosing the right bit for your horse is essential for both comfort and control, to help ensure a more pleasant experience for both horse and rider. The correct bit can improve communication, while the wrong one can cause discomfort, pain, injury and miscommunication. Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the right bit for your horse:
Bits come in many shapes, materials, and designs each offering different levels of comfort and control. The main types are often referred to as: loose-ring snaffles. Loose ring is the type of cheek and snaffle refers to the mouthpiece. There are many different types of loose ring snaffle and the mouthpiece can either be two interlinking arms or two arms with a lozenge, link or barrel (etc) in the middle. They are good for horses that need gentle control (depending on the mouthpiece) and are commonly used for everyday riding and training. Pelham Bits: Offer both direct and leverage action, providing more control generally than your average loose ring Again the Pelham is the cheek and they come with various mouthpiece options. They’re often used for stronger horses, in situations where more control is necessary or as part of the rules for a showing class where two reins are required. Gag Bits: There is a whole family of gag cheeks available and they come with various mouthpieces. A gag cheek generally provides increased control by raising the horse’s head. They can be used for well trained horses that are strong in certain situations; it is sometimes advisable to use a stronger bit rather than pulling lots on a mild one as a gag would use more pressure points and therefore the rein pressures are spread over more areas. Then we have the bitless option of the hackamore: This applies pressure to the horse’s nose and jaw instead of the mouth. Ideal for horses with mouth sensitivity or injuries and can be useful to use when the horse still needs to be ridden whilst the injuries heal. Often useful as a diagnostic for deciding if the bit is an issue.
The horse’s mouth plays a big role in determining the right bit. Horses have different mouth conformation, such as a low or high palate or sensitive bars. Understanding your horse's mouth anatomy can help you pick a more comfortable bit. General advice would be that a good fit is crucial; getting the sizing right is imperative for the horses comfort. Then we would take the mouthpiece design into account; would a lozenge be more suitable, an angled lozenge or a central barrel? Then we consider the cheek where the choice is often influenced by the level of control the rider needs. There are various mouthpiece materials available and consideration must be given as to which your horse finds most suitable.
Understanding your horse’s temperament and training level is one of the most crucial factors in choosing the right bit. The way a horse behaves under saddle, along with their level of experience, directly influences how they will respond to different bits. Here’s a closer look at how you can tailor your bit selection based on your horse’s temperament and training stage:
For Calm, Experienced Horses
If your horse is calm, well-trained, and understands the aids, you likely don’t need a bit that provides a lot of leverage or force. Experienced horses are often more responsive to subtle cues, and a well-fitted gentle bit should allow for the best communication without unnecessary pressure. The disclaimer to this would be the situation: as mentioned above, it is better to upgrade the mouthpiece and cheek to a stronger option for certain work rather than simply pulling more on a milder bit.
Snaffle Bits
For horses with a calm demeanour, a snaffle bit is often sufficient. The direct action of a snaffle works well for a horse that is responsive and sensitive to the rider's hand. You might consider a loose-ring snaffle or a fixed cheek option like an eggbutt These are a popular choice giving more stability than a loose ring and are good for horses with fleshy lips when a loose ring might not be suitable due to fitting issues.
Rubber or plastic mouthpieces
The designs in the materials are often limited. I often get customers saying that their horse prefers a rubber mouthpiece and yet it often needs replacing as he chews it; sometimes the reason you think he prefers a rubber bit is you haven’t found a well fitting comfortable metal bit. From the horses point of view, fit and design would be higher in priority than material.
A young or less experienced horse is still learning how to respond to the rider’s aids, so it’s important to choose a bit that’s gentle but still effective for teaching them. A bit that’s too harsh may cause confusion, resistance, or a negative association with the bridle, while a too-soft bit may not provide enough clarity in communication, especially when the horse is learning how to properly yield to the bit.
Mild Snaffles: Young horses typically do best with a basic, mild snaffle bit. A well fitted double-jointed loose ring or eggbutt should generally be your starting point. This can be used from long reining all the way through to riding away. If your horse is happy with the bit and you are happy to, then you would not need to change it.
Flexibility & Comfort: Look for bits that provide some flexibility in the mouthpiece, like an angled lozenge. The days of the flat french link snaffle should now be behind us due to all of the scientific studies that show how this link sits under rein tension (thin flat edge on the tongue).. A lozenge or a barrel tend to help distribute pressure more evenly across the horse’s mouth and reduces the likelihood of the horse feeling trapped by too much pressure on a single point.
Training with a Simple, Responsive Bit: It’s important to avoid bits that use a lot of leverage or force during the initial stages of training. While some young horses can have a lot of energy, they still need to develop balance, relaxation, and responsiveness to basic cues. Correct bitting at this vital stage allows the rider to refine their aids and helps the horse develop trust in the bridle.
If you’re riding a strong or more sensitive horse, you may need a bit that provides more control and leverage. Horses with high energy or those who tend to pull against the rider may need a bit that can encourage them to soften and respond more willingly. However, it’s crucial to balance this with the horse’s sensitivity to avoid causing frustration or discomfort.
Pelham or Kimblewick: These are examples of traditional bit cheeks that offer leverage through a shank or curb chain, providing more control when necessary. A Pelham bit combines both direct and leverage action, which can be helpful for stronger horses that tend to pull. It’s a good choice for horses who have learned to ignore or resist lighter bits however the reasons the horse has learned to apparently ignore other bits must always be considered before we simply introduce a stronger bit.
Gag Bits: If a horse tends to be overly strong or brace against the reins, a gag bit may be used. Gags apply upward pressure on the horse’s mouth, helping raise their head and encouraging them to soften and give to the bit. They are commonly used for horses that need more control at higher speeds or during intense training.
Sensitive Mouths: Some horses are sensitive to pressure on their bars or tongue. For these horses, milder leverage bits or bitless options (like a hackamore) may be preferable, especially if they’re consistently resisting or showing signs of discomfort in a traditional bit.
Nervous or anxious horses can be especially sensitive to bit pressure, and it's important to choose a bit that promotes comfort and relaxation rather than one that adds to their tension.
Simple Snaffles with Soft Materials: Choose a soft, comfortable bit like a one that is made from a warmer metal for anxious horses. These bits help soothe the horse, reduce mouth sensitivity, and encourage them to relax in the bridle. Some horses prefer a plastic or rubber bit but mouth anatomy must be considered as there are limited styles available in these materials.
Bitless Options: For some horses that are particularly stressed by bits, a bitless bridle such as a sidepull or hackamore may be more comfortable. These options apply pressure to the horse’s nose and jaw rather than the mouth, reducing anxiety while still providing communication for steering and control. There are experts to guide you in sourcing a hackamore or bitless bridle and they must be introduced, like any new piece of tack, in a safe environment that the horse is comfortable with. The horse may not be used to nose or jaw pressure and caution must be observed.
Graduating to More Control: Nervous horses may initially need to ride in a mild bit to build their confidence. As they gain more trust and experience, and if their bitting requirements change depending on the discipline you choose, you can transition to another bit if required.
Some horses may develop behavioural issues like resistance, head tossing, or bucking due to discomfort or improper bit choice. If your horse is showing signs of frustration with their current bit, it may be worth considering a change to one that offers more or less control, depending on the issue.
Is the bit the issue?:You know your horse best and when there are any issues hopefully you have a good team around you to help with your horse. This should ideally include your vet, farrier, trainer, dentist, saddle fitter, massage therapist, physio and your bit and bridle fitted. Any behavioural changes should always be checked by your vet to rule pain out first. Any professional in the other areas would generally refer you to the vet first before carrying out their area of expertise if pain was suspected as these things need to work hand in hand with a “whole horse” approach.
Get a Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters Input: There are qualified fitters all over the country now and they can provide a hands on assessment of what is going on with your current bit and bridle set up. They can get you set up correctly then its over to you and your trainer to progress with the horses work.
Bits come in a variety of materials, each affecting the comfort and responsiveness of the horse:
Stainless Steel: Durable, easy to clean, and commonly used. There are not many modern designs available in this material.
Copper: Encourages salivation; over-salivation can be a bad thing so it's all about the balance.
Rubber/Plastic: Can be seen as softer and comfortable; can also be seen as a bit numb due to the lack of designs.
Sweet Iron: Tends to rust over time so watch out for those sharp patches. There are some modern brands available with elements of the metal in and they are worth looking at.
A bit that’s too small or too large can cause discomfort or be ineffective. Ensure the bit fits properly in your horse’s mouth, with the rings sitting comfortably in the corners. Typically, bits come in various widths, so it’s important to measure your horse’s mouth and choose a bit that fits snugly, but without pinching or rubbing. Expert guidance is available in this area as it is a very important part of the bit fitting process.
Seek professional advice from Horse Bit Hire; good, friendly advice is always available at Horse Bit Hire. If you're still not sure which horse bit is right for you, just drop me an email and I will help you to choose. You can even hire before you buy, as well as choose from our large range of items.
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