Types of Bridles and Bits Adult Riders Should Know
Besides the saddle, the other most basic piece of tack is the bridle. The bridle goes onto the head and almost always has a metal piece, called a bit, that is placed in the horse’s mouth to help communicate what the rider wants the horse to do.
Like saddles, there are a variety of bridles and bits to fit the needs of the rider and the horse. Here are a few below:
Snaffle Bridle (English) — This is the most basic bridle and can be used in almost any sport by any level of rider. The bit is slid into the mouth and the bridle secured over the head. There is an extra strap called a throat latch that sits on the back of the head and underneath the throat to help hold the bridle in place. There is also a band that wraps around the nose. A rein attaches on either side of the mouth and are usually bound together in one piece. A variety of bits can be used depending on rider and horse needs.
Double Bridle (English) — Similarly built as the snaffle bridle, the difference is that it has two bits and four reins. In the right hands, this bridle allows for very precise communication to the horse. Generally it’s used only by advanced dressage riders. Inexperienced riders can cause serious problems with this bridle.
Pelham Bridle (English)— A less severe alternative to the double bridle is the Pelham Bridle. Like the snaffle bridle there are usually two reins but instead of two bits in the mouth, there’s only one. This bridle is often used by less experienced riders and riders in the cross country discipline.
In the place of the second bit are shanks and a curb chain. Shanks are long pieces attached to the sides of the mouth piece with one set of reins placed next to the mouth piece and the second at the end of the shank. Pulling the shank puts more pressure on the horse. The curb chain is made of a leather strap or links of metal that rest against the bottom of the horse’s mouth. This also creates more pressure.
Western Bridles — There is less variation in the types of bridles used in western bridles. Like English bridles, they have straps going over the ears and may or may not have a throat latch. The most commonly used bits are snaffles or curbs. Except in a few disciplines like barrel racing and roping the reins are not tied together.
Split Ear Bridle — This bridle is very similar to the common western bridles. The main difference is that the bridles are designed to be secured over only one ear.
Hackamore Bridle — This bridle is very different from other bridles in that there is no bridle. In the most common variation, the horse is controlled by a strap over their nose. This bridle is occasionally seen in western shows or in use for horses that don’t tolerate the bit well.
The bit is one of the most important pieces of most bridles. Bits come in various types and vary in severity. All bits work on one or more of the following: tongue, cheeks, lips, palate, and curb area under the mouth. They can also act on the bridle and create pressure on the top of the head (called the poll) by the strap around the ears. Some bits should only be used by experienced riders. The thing to remember is that the severity of the bit is primarily determined by how the rider is applying them.
Here are some of the bits that are often used:
Snaffle Bit — Snaffle bits are defined by one of a variety of types of bits that are directly attached to the reins. There is no shank. It can be used as the top bit in a double bridle, but is most often used alone. It’s often used with inexperienced riders.
Both the metal piece that goes in the mouth and the rings that the bit is attached to can vary in style and each acts differently to communicate with the horse by pressure. The mouthpiece is designed to apply pressure to tongue. The mouthpiece and the rings can also act on the lips of the horse.
Curb Bit — A curb bit involves a strap called a curb chain and made of leather or metal links underneath the horse’s chin. It also has elongated bars called shanks on the outside pieces. The reins are attached to the shanks and when pulled they will put pressure on the mouth, chin, and even the poll. The longer and looser the curb chain, the more action that can be places on these areas.
Bridoon — This bit is used in double bridles along with a curb bit. It should only be used by experienced riders.
Pelham Bit — This bit attaches to the Pelham bridle and involves two bits, a snaffle and a curb bit. It’s considered to be a less severe bridle than the double bridle.
The mouthpiece of a bit is very important. The various types act differently and have a range of severity. Which one is chosen depends on the discipline and horse. Here are some mouthpieces:
Single Jointed — This simple mouthpiece has two pieces connected in the middle. The joints can create pressure on either side of the mouth and pinch the horse’s tongue. The thickness of the two metal pieces can affect how effective this bit is for individual horses. It’s most often used with inexperienced riders, lower level dressage, and jumping.
French Snaffle — Instead of one joint, this bit has two. It’s considered to be a gentler bit. Similar to the single jointed bit, it’s used for inexperienced riders, lower lever dressage, and jumping.
Mullen Snaffle — Unlike the above bits, this bit is one solid piece. Because it does not have the pinching effect, it’s considered to be very gentle on the horse’s mouth. It’s seen in use in inexperienced riders, lower level dressage, jumping, and training green horses.
Roller Bits — Instead of being a solid piece, there are sections of pieces that roll designed to make the horse play with them. This can make them less resistant to the bit but may pinch like snaffles.
Ported Bits — Port bits are solid pieces of metal with a raised area in the middle. The height of that raised area can be low or high enough to act on the roof of the horse’s mouth. It reduces pressure on the tongue.
Keyed Bits — This bit has two straight pieces attached to a ring in the middle. Attached to the ring are multiple pieces of metal that can be manipulated and encourage the horse to play with the bit. It’s most often used to train young horses.
Twisted Wire Snaffle- Instead of being one piece of metal, the twisted wire snaffle is made of two separate pieces of twisted metal. It also has elongated cheek pieces attached on either side. The twisted bits work on the tongue and the top of the mouth. Because the twisted pieces are harder on the mouth, it may discourage the horse from leaning hard on the bit or ignoring the pull of the reins. Also because the mouth piece is more severe, it should only be used in experienced hands.
Pelham Bits — This bit is used along with a curb bit in Pelham bridles. Typically it’s used with two reins but can be converted to be used by single reins only. To make the bridle gentler in inexperienced hands, the bottom reins attached to the curb can be removed. Jumpers may use this bit, but they are forbidden in dressage of any level.
Kimberwick Bit — This bit is similar to the Pelham bit because it has two different places where reins can attach, though this bit is used with only one set of reins. The two places the reins can attach determine the action of the bit. On the top ring you’ll apply direct pressure like a snaffle. On the lower ring, the curb will be more in use. The actual design of the mouthpiece can vary from a snaffle to one with a port that applies pressure to the roof of the mouth.
Double Bridle — This bridle is always used with two reins and has two bits attached. The top bit is a snaffle (called a bridoon) and the other is a curb bit. These bits should only be used in very experienced hands and are most often seen in upper level dressage.
Knowing the different types of bridles and bits can help you understand how they work and when they should be used. The right bridle in the right hands can help rider and horse to work together to their best potential. In the wrong hands horses can begin to resist the bit and potentially hurt the horse. Make sure you choose the right bit and bridle for the occasion.
