Bits That I Most Often Use And Why I Use Them

There are 7 possible points on a horse’s head that can be used to influence the horse’s movement. In this article, I will talk about the bits that I use most often for training and why I use each one. Each bit has a specific purpose and helps the horse in a certain way. I never ride a horse in the same bit more than 3 rides in a row. This helps to keep those 7 points fresh and responsive. Each horse will have 3 similar bits that all work a little bit differently. I ride in the bit that helps the horse with what I am working on that particular day. Some of the bits that I use are custom or discontinued. Because of this, the links I give are to a bit that is close but not necessarily the exact same as the bit I use.

Snaffle Bits

I generally use snaffle bits during the initial phases of training. These bits are the most simple for the horse to understand and are great for teaching all of the cues and body control that all future training will build on.

D Ring Snaffle Bit

The D-ring snaffle bit primarily works on the bars and corners of the horse’s mouth. I use this bit primarily early in the horse’s training to point the horse’s nose. I want to use this bit to teach the horse how to give its face to lateral pressure. This way I can point the nose in the direction I want it while teaching the initial phases of shoulder and body control. I typically will start transitioning a horse out of this bit within 90 days of being under saddle.

Heavy Loose Ring Snaffle

I often use this heavy ring snaffle bit in conjunction with the D Ring snaffle. I use this bit to develop softness and feel with a horse that is heavy on my hands. The weight of the rings encourages a horse to be softer on my hands. This bit also primarily works on the bars and corners of the mouth. Depending on the horse I might use this bit more often when I am working on softening a horse’s face then gradually use it less often. I don’t want the horse to stay riding in this bit.

Leverage Bits

These bits use leverage pressure. That means that the curb chain or strap under the jaw acts like a fulcrum and gives the rider more control of the horse’s neck and body. Many people focus on the fact that the length of the shank makes the amount of pull exponential to the amount of pressure that the horse feels which is true, but the additional amount of pressure is not why leverage bits are used. Leverage bits used correctly should help the rider show the horse how to use its body correctly for advanced maneuvers.

Low Port Curb Bit

This low port bit is used during the initial phase of teaching the horse how to give its body to the new contact points. The new contact points with this bit are the chin, and poll. With the new contact points comes the ability to build on the collection and body control that was started with the snaffle bit. This particular bit has a 3/8″ mouthpiece, which is slightly larger than the mouthpiece in the snaffle bits previously used. The larger mouthpiece puts pressure in a larger area, making the pressure per square inch less. I use this bit until the horse has a good understanding of curb pressure.

Tapered Mouth Triangle Port Leverage Bit

I ride in this bit along with the low port bit above. I will alternate between these bits, using this bit more and the other bit less as the horse learns about leverage pressure. With this bit having a tapered mouthpiece, it helps to keep the bars fresh. Just like if you walk barefoot more often your feet will develop calluses, if you put the same contact on your horse’s bars every day they will become dull. The port on this bit will also give a different feel to the horse’s tongue, which also keeps it soft and fresh.

The port on this bit is not tall enough to reach the roof of most horses’ mouths, but it will touch some. I generally don’t teach roof of mouth pressure until later. If the horse’s mouth is low enough that this bit touches it, then now is the time to teach this pressure. Many people are scared of roof-of-mouth pressure. Don’t be! Roof of mouth pressure is great for helping a lazy horse to move and transition with their shoulders up and hips engaged.

Mona Lisa

I use the Mona Lisa bit to teach tongue pressure. This bit has a similar bar pressure as the triangle port bit, but it does not have a place for the tongue to sit. Failing to teach a horse to give to tongue pressure will cause problems. It will cause a horse to not carry a bit correctly in higher level maneuvers and cause mouth gaping. Notice the port on this bit is shaped very close to the triangle bit except it has a copper covering. I use this bit more often with a horse with a thick tongue. Thinner-tongued horses need this bit less. Notice that this bit is when I change from a curb chain to a leather curb strap.

Low Port With Roller

This low port bit with a roller is the beginning of putting all of the different pressures together. When I ride in this bit the horse has a good understanding of all of the contact points. This bit uses all of the contact points that I have taught so far. Now I ride in this bit to teach the horse to understand all of that contact when given together.

Kelly Kerry Chicken Choker

This is the bit that I use to teach roof of the mouth pressure. It is important to note that until this point, all leverage bits rotated about 60 degrees before the curb engaged with the chin. When I am working with roof of the mouth pressure I want the bit to engage the chin with 30 -45 degrees rotation. This bit is great for lifting a horse that is lazy about carrying their shoulders and ribs inverted and sloppy. All of my finished horses are ridden in this bit as part of their maintenance program. This helps keep their muscles toned and balanced. This is my go-to show bit at NRHA shows.

Chicken Choker With Roller

I had this bit custom made. This is a great bit for keeping the shoulders up when setting up for fence turns on a cow. This is Hank’s show bit but I mostly ride him in the 3 previous bits. Maintenance of every horse is all about keeping the horse soft and fit, so I maintain him in the same training bits that he was trained in.

Conclusion

As with every part of my training program every part of training builds from the previous part. Most horses I have in training will never be ridden in the chicken choker with a roller, they all must learn to give their body to every contact point. Not teaching a horse to give to one of the contact points is a hole in training waiting for a wreck.

The journey in equine partnership is a path of continual learning and growth. Adopting this proactive approach will pave the way for a rewarding and fulfilling experience with your equine companion. If you need professional help with your horse, you might consider an Equestrian Virtual Lesson. This is a great way to get a private lesson from Tim Anderson. My horse training journey has brought me from winning world titles to now trying to make every horse the best they can be and to help you improve your equestrian knowledge.