Horse Bits?

Question

What kind of bit is the most gentle to use?

Answer 1

Snaffles are generally regarded as the most gentle bits, however you'll get varying opinions on this as the single jointed snaffle can have a nutcracker action on the horse's mouth which may bother some horses.

Some horses go better in a bit that has a flat center piece such as a french link.

Somebody mention copper mouthpieces, the reason they are good is the copper encourages salivation which supposedly makes for a softer mouth. Western bits sometimes also use something called sweet iron for the mouthpieces, I had a bit like that for my pony once and he seemed to like it.

But anyway, generally something along the lines of a full-cheek snaffle or a loose-ring snaffle are the most common for starting horses because of how mild they are. I've always preferred full-cheek snaffles personally because the horse can't pull it through his mouth.

Answer 2

Generally, a plain old Mullen mouth (an almost straight bar in the mouth) is very mild. The thicker the bit, the easier it is on their mouths. Anything coated with rubber or most of the happy mouth bits are really gentle too. Some snaffles can be good too. Generally, one of the easiest on their mouth is a loose ring french link snaffle. This allows the horse to remove pressure points in the mouth because it can move it around a lot. Anything with leverage, a port, or a twist is going to be more severe. With leverage bits, the longer the shank, the more severe the bit. With twist bits, the tighter the twist, the more sever it is, also the higher the port, the more pressure it can put on the roof of the mouth. If your horse as a really sensitive mouth or a mouth injury, you could try a hackamore (not a mechanical one as those can be very severe). Although sometimes they should be used with caution, especially if the horse is easily excitable (they don't offer quite as much control as even the mildest bit). If you want to go with steel or something rubber coated, I would recommend the loose ring french link snaffle, but also see what the horse likes. He may not like that bit and might prefer just a regular plain old snaffle that is wider in diameter. Try a few out and see what he likes. If he chews on it a lot it's usually a good sign. May I add though, even the gentlest bit can be very severe if the rider's hands are bad.

Answer 3

I use a simple o ring snaffle which is supposed to be the most gentle, but it's a jointed. I've never tried a happy mouth or a copper inlay - I've been interested, but I'm just not sure if my horse would like the change - she's older and has never liked change in terms of bridle or bit. The happy mouth is supposed to be easier on the mouth, and like the copper inlay, it's supposed to have a taste to it that horses like that promote them to chomp on the bit, which is something you want. You don't want the horse to hold the bit in their mouth because they then have full control and won't listen. I've heard the thicker the bit, the more gentle it is - for my horse though, they made her uncomfortable since she has a small mouth and can't fit her mouth around it properly.

Answer 4

This depends on English or western if you are english I would suggest using a french link snaffle or and eggbut happy mouth. the egg but is good becuase the horses side of his mouth wont get pinched, and the french link is great for horses that dont want the roof of their moth touched/hit. Hope this helps.
Sincerly,
Laura K

Answer 5

I use a D-Ring Snaffle with Sweet Iron and Copper Rollers. But, this what I feel is good and the Horse not seem to complain.

I wanted to find you a picture. The link nothing like mine, but, think of the roller being copper and the rest a sweet iron.

Answer 6

My mate uses a rubber snaffle. It is very easy for her horse to accept. Bitless bridles are for the more experience horse / rider as they can do more harm if not used properly. They put pressure on the horse in a different way and are not for the novice rider to pull on the horse's head with.

Answer 7

I have found the snaffle, which is very mild, to be a good choice. This is, as long as the horse you are riding doesn't have a hard mouth, because if so the snaffle may not be effective enough.

Answer 8

A double jointed snaffle such as a KKK or french link. It looks similar to a regular snaffle but has a small center piece that connects the two side pieces. This prevents the joint of the snaffle from poking your horse in the roof of his mouth. Also fatter wider heaver bits are more mild than thin light ones. They distribute the pressure more evenly than thin ones.

Answer 9

No bit
Go bitless
Did you know the bit was invented in war times
The armies didn't have a lot of time to train their horses for war, so they discovered that with a "BIT" in their mouth they could control them easier
The Natives didn't use bits and nether do I

A lot of you horse owner should look in to it you might be surpised how much better it is. Your horse will be calmer

Side pull bitless bridles I find the best, it pulls the opposite cheak in the direction you want to go and the nose band is great for stoping

Answer 10

Snaffles.