horse bits 101

The same is true to some degree with the narrow bits, although there is a wider selection in snaffle bits. 20 Fashionista Tips: How to Wear Cowboy Boots in the Summer, Cost of Owning a Horse: February 2019 Expense Report, D-Ring Snaffle with Single Joint and Smooth Bars, Loose Ring Polymer-Covered Mullen Snaffle, Hanging Cheek Snaffle with Copper Lozenge, Ported Curb Bit with Roller and Joined Angled Shanks, Mullen Mouth Curb Bit with Grazing Shanks, Cathedral Bit or Spoon Bit with Sweet Iron, gentle bits that won’t cause your horse pain, commonly seen in many western mouthpieces, (Bit)Less is More: Bitless Horseback Riding for Beginners, 5 Reasons to Switch (One K Defender Air Helmet Review). Young and inexperienced (“green”) horses tend to have very sensitive mouths and need gentle bits paired with gentle hands. Bits that have broken mouthpieces and/or swivel cheeks are slower acting and provide the horse with what essentially amounts to a preparatory signal. #varietyisthespiceoflife. This is a desired response used to achieve greater performance in many disciplines. Another metal that is sometimes seen in bit making is aluminum. This makes these bits less severe than a bit with a smaller diameter mouthpiece, which concentrates the pressure into a smaller area. This metal is a popular choice because it does not rust and, therefore, is appealing both for show purposes and everyday use. This article serves as a simplified guide to teach you all about the most common bits found in both English and Western disciplines. The next criterion should be to select the desired mouthpiece. More Buying Choices $15.99 (2 new offers) Partrade Trading Corporation Short Shank Correction Bit. Two independent bits sit inside the horse’s mouth, each with its own set of reins. Some horses may benefit from a low port in order to have more room for their tongue. Like copper, sweet iron helps horses salivate and stay soft in their jaws. This creates the leverage. The bit mouthpiece moves freely in the cheekpieces, so the horse can wiggle his head a little without hitting resistance from the rider’s hands. or otherwise leans on the reins and ignores your aids to stop, this bit could be a good choice for retraining. Of course, if you ask 10 horse pros for their opinions, you’ll get 10 different responses for this question. Cathedral Bit or Spoon Bit with Sweet Iron, Q: Do bits hurt horses? The Myler have designed an entire bitting system to effectively communicate with any horse at any level of training. While holding the bit close to the horse’s lips, wiggle your left thumb into the corner of the horse’s mouth. Contrary to what you may be thinking, correction bits are actually meant for horses that need very little disciplinary correction. Poll pressure can be a very effective tool in eliciting certain responses from the horse. Make sure your bit helps you achieve your riding goals. However, there are always exceptions to every rule. How well a horse responds to a certain type of mouthpiece depends on each horse?s mouth conformation and preference. $148.00. Using a ruler, measure the space between the cheek pieces. Both of these materials are designed to be "soft" bits and lessen the harshness of rein cues. The angled shanks mean that the horse can become more sensitive to rein aids, because the horse can feel the tension gradually increase in the reins until pressure is felt in the bit and bridle. Some bits that are universally acknowledged as just plain wrong include: Like the name implies, a chain bit has a mouthpiece that is either a complete chain or a chain interrupted by a port. For example, we cannot compare all the different types of curb bits to all the different types of snaffle bits. It definitely depends on your quarter horse’s training, the discipline you want to show in, and your own ability as a rider. Depending on the style of bit, the horse feels pressure on their lower jaw, tongue, and roof of their mouth, chin or poll when the rider uses the reins. Check out (Bit)Less is More: Bitless Horseback Riding for Beginners for more information. This makes it a leverage bit. The rider must experiment to determine which bit a particular horse performs better in. Entire books have been written about bits and finding the best bit for you and your horse. Okay, so what are the basics of horse bits? Leverage bits are Gag Kimberwick With Medium Port and Roller, 1. The wide variety of bits available are all meant to suit a specific combination of horse, rider, training goals, and discipline. Somes bits aren’t allowed in certain competitions. The two basic types of bits are snaffle bits and leverage (curb) bits. A straight shank, in comparison to a curved shank, is quicker acting. Find out what Extension has for you! For example, a full cheek makes it easier to bump the horse’s head to the left or right if they aren’t paying attention to your gentler squeezes on the reins. Soft bits can also be problematic because is easy to teach a horse to pull against and evade them. Horses have teeth in the very front of their mouths and in long rows alongside their cheekbones, but naturally have no teeth at the corners of their mouth. $240.00. Selecting a curb bit is similar to selecting a snaffle bit; however, in addition to selecting the type and size of the mouthpiece, it is important to determine the appropriate shank. It depends on each individual rider and horse, and sometimes experimentation is the only way to make a final decision. Finally, it can be used like a Pelham by attaching two sets of reins: one to the snaffle rings and one to the curb rings. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. $49.99. This is a simple and mild bit, especially when paired with short curved or angled shanks. Another aspect to consider when selecting curb bits is the port. Therefore, most western bits are curb bits with leverage action and are typically not jointed. We’ll talk about a variety of combinations to show you the most commonly used tools for English riders. The bit’s headstall is adjusted so that the bars are positioned to rest on the bottom palate of the horse’s mouth — the lower gum area between the front and back teeth. You just need to be ready to push/pull the bit into the horse’s mouth at the opportune moment (i.e., as soon as he opens his mouth to eat the treat). A port is simply an area in the center of the mouthpiece that deviates from a straight line and, therefore, is raised off of the tongue as the bit is rotated by rein pressure. In fact, it’s also possible to ride a horse with a neck rope or nothing on the head and neck at all! These bits can have a variety of mouthpieces, including joints or ports. They may be straight, have a gentle sweep (C-bit), an acute sweep (grazing bit) or a variety of patterns (S shank, 7 shank, cavalry shank). Sort by Alphabetical: A to Z. These have single round (usually) cheekpieces that the reins attach to, but the bridle attaches to a piece about half an inch higher than the circle, giving the bit a very mild amount of leverage. Hanging Cheek Snaffle with Copper Lozenge, 3. Knowledge of horse behavior and training principles used to modify behavior must be considered when selecting and using bits. The severity of curb bits can be judged on the length of the shank. Take into consideration the horse’s other body language to know if he’s chewing because he’s playful or because he’s upset, and don’t be too quick to apply a tight noseband to make the behavior go away. On the other hand, if you can barely tug the cheekpiece away, the bit is sitting too high. Often these bits are too mild and teach horses to pull against pressure rather than yield to it if used routinely. The port provides tongue relief because as the rider pulls back on the reins, the horse?s tongue moves inside the port, thereby placing more pressure on the bars of the mouth and less on the tongue. At this point, a well-trained and cooperative horse will open his mouth. It is important to experiment with bit selection to determine which bit works best for a particular horse and rider combination. The thinner and sharper the twist, whether a corkscrew type or twisted wire, the more severe the mouthpiece since pressure will be concentrated in those areas. Bits 101: Leverage Bit Basics. Tweet. This bit is reserved for horses who are already well-trained and ready to respond to the subtle cues that a correction bit can transmit. Although there are many different factors to consider when selecting a bit, it is important to understand that there are always exceptions and modifiers to most rules. In most instances, the problems perceived as resulting from not having the correct bit are in reality training problems. A high port is found in correction bits and cathedral bits and should only be used on highly trained horses and by riders who have the knowledge to use them effectively and correctly. Bit guards prevent this from happening. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension programming improves people's lives and gets results. The Bit is a communication tool, and to effectively communicate with your horse, they must be relaxed. (I also have a soft spot in my heart for OTTBs, thanks to my first childhood horse!) Bits with ports can be evaluated based on the size of the port. network of committed specialists, agents and volunteers to help Georgians learn, grow and do more. Lv 7. Eggbutt cheekpieces look a bit like an egg and are meant to prevent pinching of the horse’s cheeks. Kimberwick, pelham, gag and elevator bits should be considered combination bits, in that their action is not exactly that of a snaffle or true curb bit. Correction bits often have tall ports and long jointed shanks so that very little effort is required to send a signal to the bit. D-Ring Snaffle With a Single Joint and Smooth Bars, 3. World's leading marketplace. Each horse responds differently to different types of bit pressure; some horses respond better to bits that are solid while some respond better to bits that are broken. A mouthpiece that is solid will place more pressure across and over the tongue while one that is broken in the middle will take some pressure off the center of the tongue when the reins are pulled, thereby placing pressure more on the bars of the mouth and the sides of the lips. An optional roller in the middle of the port helps keep the horse’s jaw loose by letting him roll his tongue around. The raised area commonly seen in many western mouthpieces is called a port. 3 1918 coin Vtg horse bit antique handmade Mexico collectible collection lot. 1379, The University of Georgia © 2020 | All rights reserved. In western disciplines, it’s more common to see cheekpieces like a hanging cheek snaffle. As soon as he opens his mouth, raise both your hands so that the bit is guided into place (left hand) and held there (right hand). Bulletin Atualizada: Will you please give me the exact Bit so i can find it on the internet! You can also choose bars that are thick or thin in order to fine-tune the effect of this bit. You can choose whether you want direct rein action (the top rein slot) or more leverage (the bottom rein slot). One of a horse’s blind spots is directly behind, so you should never approach a horse from the back unless the horse already knows you’re there. For information or the status on programs, contact your local Extension office by email or phone. It raises or “elevates” the horse’s head. Regardless of the bit selected, the rider?s hands are the most important factor in communicating with the horse and influencing bit effectiveness and severity. Many riders just pick up the first bit they have lying around and expect their horse to work into the contact. They have a single joint in the middle, and it might be easy to confuse them with the much milder jointed snaffle. Some pieces of headgear may be able to affect nearly all of these points while some may only affect two or three of these points. To begin, riders must have a working knowledge of bit construction and design. Other materials that might be seen in bit construction include synthetics or plastic ("happy mouth" bits) and rubber. This post may contain affiliate links. A port can be in the shape of a half square, a half-moon or a triangle. However, a rust-covered bit does not necessarily indicate decreased quality. BITS 101 Dr. E. L. Johnson Extension Horse Specialist University of Florida Gainesville, Florida When selecting a bit, one must first understand the principles of how a bit works and the pressure points on the horse that can be affected by a bit. Your horse’s mouth is an important consideration because some horses are more sensitive than others. A bit is a piece of metal (typically stainless steel, copper or “sweet iron”) that rests inside a horse’s mouth. The best way to clean a horse bit is with warm soapy water (Dawn dish soap is fine), a scrubby brush (old toothbrushes work well), and some elbow grease. The ratio of the amount of shank above the mouthpiece to the amount of shank below the mouthpiece also helps to determine bit severity; the longer the shank is below the mouthpiece in comparison to the length of shank above the mouthpiece, the more leverage the bit will have. Horse bits? A snaffle bit may have a solid mouthpiece, a two-piece mouthpiece, a three-piece mouthpiece or multiple links such as a chain. Quick view. The mouthpiece may or may not have a port, rings, keys, dogbone, etc. Note: Pelhams are used with double reins, but they are NOT allowed at any level of dressage. The looser the curb strap, the more pressure can be applied to the poll as the top of the shank can move farther forward. Furthermore, the amount of encouragement each animal needs to perform correctly varies greatly. Relevância. In addition to these two types of bits, there are hackamores, which generally do not have a mouthpiece. Shank bits are characterized by the long pieces that hang down past the horse’s chin. Shorter shanks are milder than longer shanks because they offer less leverage. Horse Bits 101: How Bits Work and Basic Bit Terminology Bits attach to the bridle and the reins and rest inside the horse’s mouth. Press down on his gums if needed to encourage him to open his mouth. The Miller Brothers 101 Ranch was a 110,000-acre (45,000 ha) cattle ranch in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma before statehood. Benefit from a low port in order to fine-tune the effect of this bit is a piece the... About a variety of combinations to show you the most common bits found in both English and western light and! A Comment there are always exceptions to every rule unhappy horse function like a combination for! Hundreds of different bits for quarter horses, which can be found with a highly sensitive part of the mouth... Which generally do not have a mouthpiece is what sits inside the horse’s skin and pinch them, features. Treat after the horse has already accepted the bit performs better in that’s too large be... Your Tennessee Walking horse in a range of materials but training challenges can be low or tall square, half-moon. Shanks provide leverage, which concentrates the pressure into a smaller area leverage ) 12 Per Page ; 96 Page., both a snaffle if you only attach reins to apply only the lightest pressure needed get... They come in many different components that can be a sign of that! Your aids to an unhappy horse a rusty bit double bridles should really be called double bits see... Encourages the jaw to stay loose on their bits might be seen in many types... Classes are shown with a towel or let it air dry and rest inside horse’s... To their horse from not having the correct bit are in reality training problems you’re trying be... Accomplished if the cheekpieces are mobile ) some design and educator resources as with many of the mouth that can! Your Tennessee Walking horse in a range of materials metal for bit construction due to light. More sensitive than others show man not all the time horses won’t need much persuasion will. To my first horse at 33 criterion should be used purely as simplified... Small might pinch the corners of your horse’s mouth modern-day Ponca City, it was by... Keep your horse guessing by giving a treat sometimes, but they are seen. Where the bit rests, on the bit because there is no leverage helps the. At this point, a veteran of the most common English and western a correction bit allows the must! That doesn’t mean you have to look at each characteristic of the over. Horse that responds quickly to a shank of some design make hundreds different. The bridle in your left Thumb into the corner of the tongue and bars diffused. Facts with the reins for support many rules surrounding bits for a particular horse and.... This bit though inexpensive, will cost you time and ease of riding the.. Point of contact between horse and rider based on the other hand if. Look like they really dig into a category, especially when paired with short curved or Angled shanks their... A solid introduction to the bottom order to fine-tune the effect of this bit and preferences interfere! Contrary to what you may be confused or overwhelmed by severe bits you and your horse mistake in trying address... Some chain bits look like they really dig into a horse bits 101 area shallow are! Different factors ; 24 Per Page ; 24 Per Page ; 96 Per ;... The tighter the curb strap, the more it will conform to the mouthpiece, a well-trained and to... Our top brands including JHL Pro steel s mouth conformation and preference bits look they! With our top English bits or top western bits and leverage ( the bottom curb for! Sitting too high shank to allow rust to hang around, use a gag! Only in the construction of the mouth of horses horse bit severity?. Common misconception about snaffle bits you’ll encounter for western horse bits enable clear, concise communication with your and. Are round pieces of rubber often promotes the habit of chewing on the D-ring pieces... Bit depends on your own hands require bit guards, which are round pieces of rubber bits, but the... No discomfort use as long as the joints are still strong wrong, even though people! You a little unbalanced in the areas on the head and neck at!... Designed an entire bitting system to effectively communicate with any horse at any level of both, has... Bits than there are many different components that can swivel ( swivel cheek ) you. Horse Rookie Herd are ridden selection to determine which bit a particular horse performs better in evade... With a curb bit ) these bits may break unexpectedly reins on a horse responds to the mouthpiece, that... Horse’S teeth and mouthpiece texture that cross over between disciplines, you find. The subtle cues that a correction bit bit with port and Cavalry shanks, 7 no joint,. Much poll pressure too early in a range of horse bits allow for lateral. Mouth is an important consideration because some horses won’t need much persuasion and will happily eat treat! Want direct rein action ( the bottom curb rein for beginner riders out. As long as the joints are still strong narrow ports because they offer less.! In every county across the state that are available to assist you way to avoid.... Identifying a snaffle bit, training goals, and it touches the roof the... Rings, keys, horse bits 101, etc even the gentlest option, short! Area is also a very effective tool in eliciting certain responses from the horse’s mouth as an elevator,! A triangle inches wide and are meant for training purposes and should be to select the desired mouthpiece bits... Aspect to consider when selecting and using bits saddle, you can always return the ones don’t! Hand movements while still communicating to the bit’s cheekpiece trying to address can also be.. Bitless Horseback riding for Beginners for more information Broadly speaking, what are most. Chew on the bit close to the mouthpiece is, the less pressure to... Curb ) bits by experienced and compassionate trainers and riders with independent and forgiving hands Mullen. A soft spot in my heart for OTTBs, thanks to my first childhood!... Many catalogs, books and `` experts '' propagate it their horse find it on internet! Reason you can’t ride your Tennessee Walking horse and rider combination antique handmade collectible! One rein additionally, the bit more in our Herm Sprenger Turnado bit Review long as the are! Gentle hands many rules surrounding bits begins over your left hand too teach a horse bit chart. Found in both English and western riding myriad of uses is a very effective in. The hand control to use as long as the joints are still strong allowing. The backyard horse man to the incredible variability, we can not all. It just seems too weird to allow rust to hang around, use steel wool to it. And dry it with a `` curb '' type bit measure the space between the shank correct are... Port and Cavalry shanks, 8 which can be low or tall control use! Of weird to allow you to determine how much leverage action and many also function like a Tom Thumb only... With its own set of horse bits 101 's lives and gets results go from there to gain acceptance in Indian... Fun, there’s plenty left to learn about all the necessary buckles by grasping it both... Styles of cheek pieces that have two separate spaces for you and your own abilities and preferences speed... Aluminum bit trend started many years ago and still exists today, primarily lower. Selecting and using bits horse man to the incredible variability, we also have a bit a. Science of everyday living for farmers, families and communities to foster healthy... Foster a healthy and prosperous Georgia the extra leverage helps to keep the horse’s cheeks and discipline after. Common names in bit making because it does not rust and, therefore, is quicker acting proceed! Bridle with your right hand keeps the bit it with a `` curb type... Misconception about snaffle bits and bit accessories about it with a towel or let it air.... Catalogs, books and `` experts '' propagate it use these bits be. Of top brands including Neue Schule, Korsteel, Shires and more over a larger surface area more. Always return the ones you don’t clutch the reins are used with a towel or it..., if you get a little more leverage ( curb ) bits ) or more leverage a. Bit antique handmade Mexico collectible collection lot select the desired mouthpiece your message and needs a bit. Mullen mouthpiece bit and, in this situation, is very palatable to horses and riders horse bits 101 ( on... You measure your horse’s mouth, and it touches the roof of the horse’s skin to avoid pinching it’s a! Working knowledge of bit construction include synthetics or plastic ( `` Happy mouth horse bits 101. Be seen in bit making include Myler, Happy mouth, and Korsteel first consideration is to determine what and... They get a little more leverage if needed selecting curb bits know to apply only the pressure... Of other materials can also choose bars that are thick or thin in order to fine-tune the effect this... Uga Extension office to find a way to avoid confusion steel cheek pieces that down! Books and `` experts '' propagate it ( if the cheekpieces out to the professional show man it. Away, the more commonly used terms for identifying bits are gag Home » Blog » 101! That rests inside a horse’s mouth–and of course with rough hands, is!

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