Which bit suits your horse?
Are you looking for a specific horse bit? Or do you wish to know which bit is best for you and your horse? Find all the information and products you need at Epplejeck. At Epplejeck you can choose from over 60 different bits from brands such as Sprenger, Busse, Harry's Horse and BR. Whether you are looking for anaurigan, sensogan, sweet iron or copper bit, you'll find it at Epplejeck Horse & Rider Superstores. We have loose ring snaffles, pelham bits, D-ring snaffles and full cheek bits and more
The first thing to decide is whether you want a bit with a jointed, double-jointed or mullen mouthpiece. So what's the difference between these? A single-jointed mouthpiece has one joint; applied pressure has an impact on the bars and the sides of the tongue. When squeezing the reins the bit contracts and will put pressure on the palate. horse's with a relatively small mouth can perform better with a jointed mouthpiece. A double-jointed bit distributes pressure among the bars,tongue and corners of the mouth.
Apart from a jointed or double-jointed bit you can also choose a mullen (straight bar) mouthpiece. A mullen mouthpiece can be straight but can also be slightly curved. A curved, mullen mouthpiece keeps the tongue free of pressure and puts more pressure on the bars. The straighter the mouthpiece of the bit, the more pressure is applied to the tongue.
Accessories to fine-tune the pressure on your bit are also widely available at Epplejeck, shop your flash strap, bit guards, pelham straps, or curb chains right here.
Which bit design should you choose?
There are different kinds of horse bits each with their advantages. A loose ring snaffle has loose bit rings, this allows for more movement of the snaffle bit in the mouth. When using a loose ring snaffle it is important to make sure there is enough room as you don't want skin to get stuck between the rings. A loose ring snaffle should extend aboput 0,5-1,0 cm from both corners of the mouth. If your horse still ends up with small wounds you could opt to use bit guards. Loose ring snaffles are available with jointed, double-jointed or mullen mouthpiece.
Eggbutt snaffles are directly connected to the mouthpiece. The bit rings cannot move separately. An eggbutt snaffle has a more stable position in the mouth. These snaffle bits are also available with jointed, double-jointed or mullen mouthpiece.
A D-Ring snaffle has bit rings in the shape of the letter D. A D-Ring snaffle puts pressure on the cheek when making turns. As with an egg-butt snaffle, a D-ring snaffle's bit rings are directly connected to the mouthpiece; A D-ring snaffle has a stable position in the mouth as well and is also available with all three different mouthpieces.
A full-cheek snaffle can be compared to a D-Ring, however it has two arms extending both above and below the mouthpiece. A full cheek or Fulmer snaffle is a bit that has the most extreme type of corrective cheek piece. Due to the arms the bit presses against the lips and cheeks. This can be particularly useful for young horses who have difficulty responding to turning aids. A Fulmer snaffle can also be suitable for horses who try to evade rein pressure by tipping their heads.
A Dutch gag bit typically consist of four rings. The top one is to attach the cheek piece and the lower three can be used to adjust rein settings. Important to note is that this bit is not allowed in a dressage competition, however it is often used in showjumping. A curb chain can be attached on a Dutch gag to create pressure on the chin combined with further tongue pressure. Other gag bits are also often called pessoa bits.
A Pelham bit can be compared to a full-cheek snaffle, but has additional rings. A curb chain and additional pelham straps can be attached. A pelham bit extends additional leverage and it has increased force but requires less movement by the rider.
If you want to know everything about the different types of bits in detail, check out our bit advice blog.
Which bit size for my horse?
When choosing a bit you should also consider your horse and the size of its mouth. Keep in mind shape, width and thickness of the bit. When measuring a bit should not extend more than 0,5-1cm from the corners of the mouth. When positioned the corners of the mouth should not have more than two pleats. The width of the bit is determined by the space between the bit rings. The width of a bit can differ per brand, best is to measure up your bit at home. A guideline to sizes:
Small ponies up to ca. 130cm: 10,5 cm
Ponies: 11,5 cm
Small to medium size horses: 12,5 cm
Large horses: 13,5 cm
Keep in mind that no horse or bit is the same, so the above indications are guidelines only. Epplejeck has bits in sizes 8,5 cm until 15,5 cm.
Buying bits at Epplejeck
Find your perfect bit at Epplejeck from the comfort of your home. Our virtual doors are open 24/7 for you and ordering is quick and easy. We always strive to send out your package just a few days after your order comes in, so your wait time is minimal. If something doesn’t fit, simply send it back to us within 30 days – no questions asked!