How to find the right bit for your horse

Every horse has its own preferences and anatomical/health conditions, as well as different levels of training. Therefore, there is no such thing as the ideal bit. However, through a step-by-step analysis you can find the right bit for your horse. We will show you which steps you have to take and how you can recognise whether your horse feels comfortable with the bit.

Signs of whether your horse is happy with the bit

When choosing the right bit for your horse, you should always consider the well-being of your four-legged friend first. The bit may be the best for your training goal and may have worked well on another horse. However, every horse has its own personal preferences and anatomical conditions.

If your horse is unhappy with the bit, it may exhibit the following behaviour:

• Opening the mouth
• Vigorous chewing with excessive foaming until it drips
• Tongue out
• Anxious facial expression
• Unsteady contact
• Head tilt
• Fighting the bit
• Head behind the vertical
• All signs of lack of suppleness

In short: If your horse is „grumpy“, you should rethink the fit of the bit, as well as reflect on your rider’s hand.

On the other hand, your horse is happy with the bit if it exhibits the following behaviour:

• The horse confidently steps forward to the bit
• It is on the bit
• The horse chews happily with closed mouth
• Light „cappuccino foam“ forms outside the mouth that does not drip off
• The horse voluntarily takes the bit into its mouth.
• The horse reacts appropriately to rein aids without reacting violently.

Once you have identified that your horse is unhappy with their bit, the next step is to do an analysis. Always keep an eye on the horse’s expression and behaviour. It may be that the bit fits anatomically but still feels uncomfortable for your horse.

Finding the correct bit thickness and length for my horse

Bit width:

The bit length is important to ensure that the bit does not pull in the mouth because it is too small, nor does it tilt and press on the jaws because it is too large. You can use a bit gauge to determine the length of the bit. Alternatively, you can measure a bit that already fits or put a rope through the mouth and then measure the length.

How long should the bit be? For a loose ring snaffle bits with continuous rings, measure the inside distance between the bit rings. If the loose ring bit lies quietly in the horse’s mouth, the mouthpiece should protrude 2.5 to 5 mm on both sides – no more.

Bits with fixed sides, on the other hand, should fit closely to the corners of the mouth. That is why eggbutt bits, D-ring snaffle bits etc. are about 0.5 to 1 cm smaller than a loose ring snaffle bit. If the bit is longer, the fixed side pieces cannot perform their limiting and sideways pointing function. Make sure that the corners of the horse’s mouth are not pinched.

How long should a weymouth and a bradoon bit be? For the bradoon bit you choose the bit length of the standard bit, while the weymouth bit is 0.5 to 1 cm smaller than the bradoon bit.

Bit thickness:

The bit thickness is measured at the thickest part of the mouthpiece, usually directly at the bit ring. Even if riders prefer to use a thick bit for the horse’s welfare because they think that the thicker the bit, the softer it is, the available space in the horse’s mouth must not be neglected. The thickness of the bit must be adapted to the anatomical conditions of the horse. This is because the mouth cavity is shallower and smaller than previously believed. If the bit is too thick, the tongue is squashed and poorly supplied with blood, the bit presses into the palate and causes pressure points or the horse cannot swallow its saliva. Furthermore, no assumptions can be made from the horse’s size in relation to the size of its mouth.

To find out how much space is available in the mouth, place two fingers between the jaws (the edentulous area). Caution, risk of injury if you get too close to the molars or incisors!

If you feel (light) pressure on your fingers when the horse is chewing, the distance between the jaws is small. You can aim for a bit thickness of 14 to 16 mm. If your fingers remain free and you do not feel any pressure, then there is more space in the mouth. For these horses you can aim for bits with 16 to 18 mm thickness.

Finally, it is worth taking a look at the tongue. Fleshy tongues that fill the entire mouth require a thin bit. With flat tongues, the bit can be thicker.

The right mouthpiece for your horse

In the previous chapter of the guidebook, we explained in detail how the various types of bits and their mouthpieces work.

Basically, the bit that most horses can handle is a single jointed loose ring snaffle bit. It is single jointed, does not put much pressure on the tongue, the mouth and the palate and the horse can escape some of the pressure by lifting the tongue.

If the horse is too restless with a single jointed snaffle bit, a double jointed loose ring snaffle bit can be considered. This lies more quietly in the mouth, but also exerts constant pressure on the tongue, whereby the horse cannot escape this pressure. In some designs, the middle piece consists of a gentle roller. This increases mouth activity and encourages chewing. Whether this suits your horse better than a double jointed loose ring snaffle bit with a normal middle section is something you have to try out.

If your horse doesn’t get along with a double jointed bit and leans on the bit, then a mullen mouth bit can be another option. Keep in mind, however, that one-sided rein aids are not possible and are more likely to cause the bit to tilt.

If the horse is not happy with any of the mouthpiece options, you should have the teeth and mucous membranes thoroughly examined, but also have a specialist examine the entire horse.

Choosing the right bit material

Stainless steel bits:

Stainless steel is an alloy of chrome, nickel and iron and is the most popular material for snaffle bits. It gets its silvery sheen from the chrome it contains. The nickel is chemically bonded so that it cannot be released through contact with saliva and cause the horse to have an allergic reaction. Stainless steel bits are characterised by extreme durability, they are wear-resistant and do not rust. In addition, stainless steel is tasteless and odourless, so it does not additionally stimulate the horse’s chewing activity. After riding, it can be washed and dried without any problems.

Sweet iron bits:

Sweet iron is characterised by its bluish-black colour, which is created by a molten salt layer. This layer is wafer-thin and forms an anti-rust protection – it is therefore not an alloy. Oxidation, i.e. contact with the horse’s saliva, produces superficial rust that tastes sweet – hence the name sweet iron. This additionally stimulates the horse’s chewing activity and saliva production, which promotes suppleness. For care, sweet iron bits are cleaned with a dry cloth after riding and then rubbed with a little olive oil.

Copper bits:

Copper bits have a very high copper content of 90%. This gives them their golden colour, but at the same time they are not very hard. Copper bits must therefore be hardened with other additions. Therefore, many golden-coloured bits are rather made of a copper alloy, for example copper and aluminium.

The advantage of copper bits is their sweet taste, which stimulates mouth activity, and their quick absorption of heat. In winter, you can quickly preheat a copper bit by hand before putting it in the horse’s mouth.

In addition, (pure) copper bits are nickel-free and therefore do not cause allergic reactions. However, by adding other materials or alloys, the beneficial properties of copper are reduced.

Copper bits can easily be cleaned and dried after riding.

Plastic or rubber bits:

If your horse is allergic to metal, you can switch to plastic or rubber bits. These are especially mouth-friendly and soft. To stimulate the mouth activity, there are plastic bits with apple flavour, such as the bits from APPLE MOUTH. With bits made of rubber, however, the horse must produce sufficient saliva, otherwise it can rub like an eraser in a dry mouth.

Important information regarding longevity: Compared to conventional bits, rubber and plastic bits can show initial signs of wear after only a short period of use. In other cases, the bit can last for years without grooves or scores. As with any bit, it must be checked regularly for signs of use and the bit replaced if necessary.

Leather bits:

Leather is also becoming increasingly popular as a snaffle bit. Unlike a bit made of metal or synthetic material, this natural material does not feel like a foreign body in the horse’s mouth. This means that it is very quickly accepted by the horse. It is important to note that the leather must have been tanned purely from vegetable sources. Leather is gentle and particularly suitable for horses with tongue or tooth problems. In addition, leather is not ice-cold in winter and does not need to be warmed up with the hands.

One of the few disadvantages of leather bits is cleaning. It is true that the leather used for bits is very robust and therefore will not be bitten through so quickly even by horses that chew hard. However, feed residue can get caught in the seams, which is difficult to get off again.

How much space does my horse’s tongue need?

Port is the name given to the bulge in the middle of a weymouth bit or mullen mouth bit. However, the port does not necessarily provide more space for the tongue. This is because the arch encloses the tongue, holds it in place and prevents it from escaping the pressure of the bit. So the larger the port, the sharper the bit. Conversely, a flatter port means real freedom for the tongue.

For this reason, a mullen mouth bit, a weymouth bit or a western bit with a large port is only appropriate for horses that are well trained. For young horses, if at all necessary, it is better to use a mullen mouth bit with a low port.

On the other hand, a bit with a port can be good for sensitive horses with tongue problems that push the tongue back and forth excessively.

When choosing a port, it is important that it fits the size of the mouth and tongue. This is because the larger and wider the port is, the greater the risk of the tongue being trapped between the bit and the jaw on the left and right or pressing against the palate.

Conclusion – How to find the right bit for your horse

To find the right bit for your horse, you should approach it step by step. Start by measuring the horse’s mouth to determine the bit length and thickness. Then look at your horse’s level of training, your rider’s hand and your riding goals to determine the right type of bit for your horse. Ultimately, you can only find the bit that your horse feels most comfortable with by trial and error.

You can discover suitable bits in our high-quality range in the online shop: