Most Common Types of Horse Bits by Severity
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There are many types of bits available. Go into any tack store and you’re likely going to be overwhelmed by the choices. There really are only a few main types of mouthpieces that bits are designed with. And, although I’ve listed them by ‘severity’, any bit can be torturous in the wrong hands.
Mullen Mouth
The mullen mouth is pretty common. These bits have no joint in the middle. They have a slight curve in them, so they conform to the horse’s mouth. Many horses like carrying a mullen mouth bit and unlike jointed bits, there is no nutcracker effect when the reins are pulled.
French Link
I don’t know if the French like peanuts or not, but in my mind they do, because they put one in the middle of a bit. That’s how I remember the difference between a Doc Bristol and a French link. The peanut shaped link in the middle of this mouthpiece lays over the horse’s tongue and lets the bit conform to the horse’s mouth, without forming an inverted V when the reins are pulled. Many horses like this bit because it’s comfortable to carry.
Ball Links
Ball links also conform to the horse’s mouth, but add a little more pressure on the tongue and palate than a French link.
Jointed
Depending on how the bit fits, and the shape of the horse’s mouth, these bits can be easier for some horses to carry than others. When the reins are pulled, the bit closes down like a nutcracker. It has more action on the tongue than a ball or French link, and may interfere with the roof of the mouth on some horses, or if the bit is poorly fitting.
Doctor Bristol
Doctor Bristol’s bit has a flat link in the middle, that lets the bit conform to the horse’s mouth, but puts a bit more pressure on the horse’s tongue when the rein aids are used, because the link is set at a angle. There are variations of Doc Bristol bits, with various shaped links.
Straight Bar
You might think a plain bar would be mild, but these bits can be quite hard on a horse’s mouth. They don’t conform at all to the horse’s tongue or palate and can be uncomfortable. You don’t see a lot of these anymore, but they were once quite common with work horses.
Twisted
The severity of a twisted mouth piece depends on the twist. A slow twist will not be as harsh as a hard twist. Nevertheless, any twist adds severity to whatever bit its used with.
Wire
Wire mouth bits come in many configurations, thick or thin, with two or more twisted wires. The thinner the bit, the more severe it is. Wire mouth bits can give quite a cut to the horse’s mouth.
Chain
Linked round chains, chainsaw or bicycle type chains and other types of chains can be used and these can be very severe bits. Some people feel they are comfortable for the horse to carry. Some of these bits have a short length of chain in the middle, and are solid where the bit sits on the bars of the mouth.
Ported Mouths
Ports can be shallow or high, narrow or wide, and at best they provide some space for the horse’s tongue. At worst, wrongly used, they can cause a lot of discomfort. Ports are mainly seen on curb bits. Ports may also have rollers or keys.
Spades
If it looks like a port, but is filled in, it’s a spade. Ideally, the spade should lay flat on the horse’s tongue. Pulling on the reins rotates the bit which lifts the spade against the roof of the horse’s mouth. These bits should only be used by the most knowledgeable riders, as they can inflict a lot of pain if used improperly.
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Ref: http://www.doversaddlery.com |
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