A bit used in the horse world is a piece of metal that is placed in a horse or pony’s mouth and allows a rider to keep control of the animal. It rests happily on the bars of the mouth in a position where there are no teeth. Riders hold on to the bit by using a bridle and reins. All bits work by a rider using a combination of pressure and good leverage. The mouthpiece of a horse’s bit is the primary thing most people consider when assessing the severity of a bit. It is advisable to carefully consider the severity and comfort of a bit when you choose to buy pony bits. It is interesting to note that many mouthpieces will be disallowed in certain competitions if they are too severe.
There are many types of bits however the most popular fall into the following categories:
Direct pressure bits
- These use no leverage. The snaffle bit has a bit ring at the mouth of the horse that applies pressure on the tongue and corner of the month.
Bits using leverage
- The curb bit uses a lever that puts pressure on the mouth but also the chin groove. The Kimberwicke bit is a hybrid design, which adapts the conventional bit using leverage on a bit ring by using a placement on the ring.
Non-curb leverage
- A gag bit is similar to a snaffle but it is a very severe design as it pushes the bit up the horse’s mouth, which often incurs pain on the horse or pony.
- The Anti-rearing bit is circular in shape. It has three rings used for pulling a horse. It is less severe than the gag bit, as there is more tension underneath the jaw through the circular part of the bit.
Bits are described by the exact style of mouthpiece that goes inside the horse’s mouth plus the type of bit shank that sits outside the mouth - this is where the reins are attached.
Pony bits are available in the same styles as horse bits. They are generally smaller in size when comparing mouthpieces and have shorter shanks than their full-sized counterparts. However all pony bits perform exactly the same function. It is all about communication between the horse and rider.