Bits have been used on the horse as a means of control for thousands of years. The first were made of rawhide and then progress moved on and various metals were used. Nowadays, our horses have the comfort of ergonomically designed shapes and many different metals. Todays bits offer your horse a range of mouthpieces made from the soft but durable plastics through to tasty sweet iron and German silver.

As a means of control, bits act on seven points around the head, the poll, tongue, soft palate, bars of the mouth, lips, chin groove and nose. It is the distribution of pressure over these delicate areas that decides how severe the bit is and whether it is suitable for your horse. The different bit groups each have their own characteristics and uses.

ALL THAT GLITTERS...

Shires bits come in a wide variety of different materials. This means that there is a bit to suit even the fussiest horse!

- Stainless Steel - This is the standard material for bits and stirrups as it is very durable and easily moulded into any shape. These bits last and last, always looking good as they never rust or tarnish. British Dressage Legal.

- Cupro Nickel and German Silver - Both these materials have a pleasant light gold colour. Each has a unique flavour that encourages horses to soften and accept the contact more readily. British Dressage Legal.

- Copper - This is 'warmer' metal than stainless steel. It is traditionally used for young horses to encourage them to 'mouth' the bit. Horses generally like the taste of it.

- Sweet Iron - This alloy oxidises during use to produce a very pleasant flavour. Many horses like the taste and feel of this material. When used with copper inserts, it becomes an ideal solution for dry mouthed horses.

- Rubber and Plastic - Both these synthetic materials make for very gentle mouthpieces, ideal for young horses or those who find metal uncomfortable. Horses recovering from dental problems often take very kindly to a flexible mouthpiece. Bendy gags and pelhams can be very useful for holding horses that pull hard.

FITTING YOUR CHOSEN BIT

Once you have selected a bit for your horse it is important that it is fitted correctly so that your horse is comfortable and the bit acts in the desired way.

The height of the bit in the horse's mouth is very important. For all bits, the mouthpiece must be well clear of the front teeth and the tushes so that it acts on the bars of the mouth. The correct height for a snaffle, bridoon, pelham or gag is when if you stand in front of your horse and pull down on both sides the bit stays snug to the corners of the lips but does not wrinkle them. When the bit is released a couple of wrinkles should appear in the corners. When fitting a double bridle, the curb or Weymouth bit should lie slightly lower in the mouth than the bridoon. There should be approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch difference in the height of each side. This should allow the curb chain to fit in the chin groove without rising up the jawbone.

The width of a bit is measured between where the mouthpiece joins the ring on both sides. The bit is the correct width when it fits snugly but with about 1/4 inch to spare on either side when it is held straight across the moulth. The middle of a jointed bit will drop in the mouth, enabling the horse to roll its tongue over it if the mouthpiece is too wide or it is fitted too low. A bit with eggbutt sides can be fitted more snugly than a loose ring or sliding bit.

A bitless bridle is fitted with the hackamore instead of the noseband at approximately the same height as a cavesson noseband. If it is too low it will impair the horse's breathing and could damage the delicate cartilage above the nostrils.

BIT FAMILIES

Snaffle

This collection of bits is generally considered the mildest, making them suitable for young horses as well as those with more experience. Most snaffles apply very little pressure to the poll, the nose or the chin groove. The simplest eggbutt snaffle has a nutcracker action; when both reins are pulled it presses on the tongue, lips and bars; if used roughly the joint may hit the roof of the mouth. Snaffles with a double joint such as a french link, suit many horses, especially those without much room in the mouth, as they do not squeeze the tongue in the same way.

Snaffles can be used for all disciplines, except for high level dressage. For British Dressage competitions only, straight bar, mullen, single-jointed, french-link and lozenge mouthpieces may be used. Hanging cheek, eggbutt, loose ring, Dee-ring and full cheek variations are allowed but the mouthpiece must be made of only one material, be it plastic, stainless steel, German Silver, etc. Please check your rule book before deciding on a bit.

The Double Bridle

This is a set of bits where a bridoon (a snaffle with smaller rings) and a Weymouth or curb bit are used together with a curb chain. Combining two bits together gives the rider greater control and more subtlety of feel with the mouth as the two bits each work in different ways. Both horse and rider need a great deal of experience to use this bridle well. It is best to use the same type of mouthpiece as you use for your normal snaffle for the bridoon, but thinner and with smaller rings. For the Weymouth, a port relieves tongue pressure, putting more emphasis on the bars of the mouth. The longer the cheeks of the curb bit the more poll and chin groove pressure will be applied.

A double bridle is usually used for higher level dressage and open show classes. For dressage, the bridoon and Weymouth must be made of the same material. It can be used for cross-country, hunting or show jumping but the double reins can be difficult to handle at speed. Pelham roundings should never be used. To be complete, a double bridle must be fitted with a lip strap and curb chain.

Pelham

The pelham is an amalgamation of the snaffle and curb of a double bridle into one bit, with one mouthpiece. This makes it more suitable for horses with smaller mouths. It has a less distinct action than the double so is more easily accepted by younger and less experienced horses. Pelhams come in a whole range of different mouthpieces, from the gentle mullen and french-link mouthpieces to those with high ports and rollers.

Pelhams are used in most disciplines but are not acceptable in dressage. They are widely used in showing classes and for hunting and ju;ing. They can be used with roundings so that the rider only has one rein. They should always have a curb chain. Rugby pelhams can be used with a sliphead (like a double bridle) attached to the snaffle ring when showing to give the appearance of a double bridle.

The Gag

These bits are related to the snaffle, however, they are much more severe. As well as working on the bars, tongue and soft palate, they put much more pressure on the lips and the poll. Traditional gag bits run up the cheek pieces when the reins are pulled, encouraging the horse to lift its head. Cord cheek pieces create a more severe effect than leather as they allow the bit to move more freely. Often two reins are fitted on these bits so that it can be used as a snaffle as well as a gag.

Some of the modern designs work by the mouthpiece sliding up the ring as the reins are used causing leverage on the poll and the head to come down. The length of the arm on the bit and the distance the mouthpiece can slide on the ring decide how severe these bits are.

Gags are used widely for polo, cross-country and showjumping. Traditional gags are discouraged at Pony Club and for showing. The modern gags are often used for showing. All gags are illegal for dressage.

Bitless Bridles

There are many sorts of bitless bridle, however, the most common is the hackamore or Blair's pattern arrangement. This acts on the nose, behind the jaw and on the poll. The longer the shank of the hackamore the more leverage it produces. Also, the narrower the pads or straps across the nose and jaw the more severe. They are a very good solution for a horse that does not like a bit or has damaged its mouth.

Bitless bridles are not used for dressage, however, many horses perform very well in them in other activities.