When it comes to selecting the correct bit for your horse, it often seems like you have to have a degree in equine physiology alongside a PhD in physics to understand how bits work and why…luckily you don’t!
We feel that bitting is often over-complicated and it is far easier to break bits down into their basic components to help you decide what is best for you and your horse.
To start with, we have broken down the bits into the broader categories to help you understand what ‘type’ of bit you may need.
We offer a brief summary of the types of bits here, further articles explore mouthpiece variety and cheek design in much greater depth.
Snaffles
The most popular bits tend to be snaffles. Snaffles are usually* mild action bits which are often legal for use in competitions such as British Dressage. Snaffles are available in either a loose ring or fixed cheek design. The severity of snaffles is determined by the type of mouthpiece which makes up the main part of the bit. A loose ring snaffle sounds very mild but the severity is completely dependent upon what sits between those two loose rings.
A loose ring snaffle with a single joint is known as a nut-cracker and was, traditionally, one of the most commonly used bits. With our improved understanding of equine oral anatomy, most trainers, vets and riders have moved away from the nut cracker action of a single joint loose ring as the joint often comes into contact with the upper palate of the horse causing discomfort and often can pinch the lip and bars of the horse. The most common loose ring snaffles we are selling nowadays are the French link snaffles or close equivalents of the lozenge variety. These bits offer a gentle, mild bit often selected for starting basic training with young horses. The French link mouthpiece sits over the lesser sensitive area of the tongue and delivers even pressure over a wide surface area thus providing a milder action than that of the nut cracker.
Gags
The term gag is often used to refer to a wide range of stronger bits but in reality, the phrase ‘gag bit’ refers to a bit which offers leverage i.e. raising of the head.
Running cheek gags have always been a popular option for horses which tend to lean on the contact and bury themselves (horses which are very on the forehand). The action of a running cheek gag is that of a snaffle with an added lifting effect. When used correctly, the running cheek of the gag is attached to one rein whilst the metal cheek of the bit is attached to another. The snaffle action is maintained until the horse becomes heavy at the front at which point the rider can employ the true action of the gag. By applying pressure to the running gag cheek, the bit runs up the cheekpieces drawing the mouthpiece up in the horse’s mouth. As a consequence this upwards action results in lip pressure and furthermore, the desired result of the horse raising its head. The majority of the pressure employed in a running cheek gag is against the lip of the horse and there is minimal poll, bar and tongue pressure employed.
Running cheek gags are becoming ever more popular in the fast, tight, twisting world of eventing as they provide horses with the feel of a snaffle between fences but then allow the rider to lift the horse before/after a fence; running cheek gags must be used in the right hands as although this bit can be incredibly sympathetic, it can offer very strong lip pressure if aids are not timed correctly.
Both forms of these bits are available from our collection of Neue Schule bits.
