Bits

Baroque bits at Picadera

There are many different types of bits. In order to find the right bit for horse and rider, you should think about a few things beforehand. 

Bit materials 

Since there are so many different types of dentures available today, the choice of denture materials is also very extensive. 

Stainless steel bits

The classic among the bit materials are stainless steel bits. Their alloy is based on iron, chrome and nickel. Nickel can cause allergies, but when this combination is fused together, a new metal is created that encloses the nickel and is firmly bound so that it cannot escape. Stainless steel bits are rust-proof, anti-magnetic and particularly wear-resistant. This makes them easy to care for and durable. Dirt can simply be washed off with water. 

Copper bits

Copper bits are colored gold thanks to the 90 percent sweet copper alloy. This high-quality alloy is very strong and its nickel-free formula makes it ideal for horses that are intolerant to nickel. This is usually evident in irritated mucous membranes. Sweet copper bits taste, as the name suggests, sweet and are therefore well received by many horses. Another advantage is that this taste encourages the horse to chew and can thus lead to better permeability. Sweet copper bits are also antibacterial and absorb heat very well. In cold temperatures, you can warm the bit slightly with your hand to make it more comfortable for the horse. Due to the natural oxidation processes, these bits can tarnish over time. 

Brass bits

Bits made from this copper-zinc mixture are highly resistant to corrosion. The bits are usually gold-colored, but the higher the zinc content, the more the color varies. Chrome-plated brass bits are silver in color. Bits made from this material can also tarnish over time and should be polished from time to time. 

Iron bits

Iron bits made of sweet iron are black. This is due, among other things, to the burnishing process, in which the bit is bathed in hot oil. Iron bits taste sweet and their taste stimulates the horse's chewing activity, which can relax the jaw and thus have a positive effect on the entire musculoskeletal system. However, these bits require more care. Natural oxidation processes ensure that noble rust forms. This is not a quality defect and can have an even greater impact on the horse's chewing ability. Picadera recommends rubbing the bit occasionally with a cloth soaked in olive oil.

Material combinations – win-win situation

Of course, there are also bits where the mouthpiece, for example, is made of a different material than the side parts. Here you can feel the advantages of the different materials. For example, you can use a mouthpiece made of stainless steel while the side parts are made of iron. This gives you the dark look of the iron bit, but the stainless steel mouthpiece does not rust if that is what you prefer. 

The right material?

The decision as to which material to use must be made on an individual basis. Some horses have difficulty accepting stainless steel bits, which is why Sweet Iron or Sweet Copper should be used instead. Of course, the rider's preferences also play a role in the selection. All bit materials have advantages and disadvantages.

The effect of bite types

Before you buy a denture, you should think about what you want to use it for and how it actually works. 

Loose ring bits

The most well-known type of bit is the snaffle bit. It is available with single joint or double joint and with flexible or inflexible rings. 

Loose ring snaffles with flexible rings are very flexible in the horse's mouth. The horse can influence the positioning of the mouthpiece on the rings itself. This can be useful for young horses that need to get used to the bit. For horses with a tight mouth, however, it is recommended to use a D-ring snaffle, eggbutt snaffle or full snaffle, as these are more stable in the horse's mouth. 

A single-jointed bit forms a kind of house when the reins are pulled. The mouthpiece acts on the outer jaws, the edges of the tongue and can press on the palate. The middle of the tongue is relieved of pressure. 

Double-jointed mouthpieces have a flatter tongue clearance and exert a more even pressure. This means that the double-jointed bit has a slightly milder effect.

Bar Bits

It is often said that this type of bit is gentler than a broken bit. However, it is important to remember that the bar acts on the entire jawbone from the front. The tongue is not relieved of pressure. When riding with a bar bit, a steady rider's hand is also important, as if the reins are not pulled in the right direction, the bar will "tip over" in the mouth.

Bar bits are available with and without tongue clearance. Mouthpieces with a small tongue clearance have a small arch in the middle. For horses with fleshy tongues, there are Mullen Mouth models that have a large curved arch to relieve the pressure on them. 

Bits without leverage

Baucher bits, full bits and loose ring bits have no leverage. They only work via the tongue, the bar or the corners of the mouth, like the Baucher bit. The popular Kimblewick bridle can also be ridden without leverage if the reins are buckled into the upper recess. 

The Baucher bit has only a short upper bar, which is attached to the cheek pieces. This means that the bit is particularly stable in the horse's mouth and is therefore ideal for sensitive horses or young horses. The reins are attached to the rings. The Baucher bit is ridden without a chin strap or chin chain. It has no lower bar, which could act as an opponent with a chin chain to exert pressure on the neck. On the contrary: the Baucher bit is very stable due to its special construction, so that even broken mouthpieces cannot sag downwards and come into contact with the incisors. 

Bits with leverage

Curb bits, Pelhams and Kimblewick snaffles are bits that have a leverage effect. When the reins are pulled, pressure is applied to the tongue, the bar and the poll. These bits should only be used by experienced riders. They are ridden in combination with chin chains that are unscrewed and hooked into the chin chain hooks. Kimblewick snaffles can be used to transition from a snaffle or Baucher bit to a curb bit, as they have a milder leverage effect. If the reins are threaded into the lower recess of the bit, the Kimblewick bit acts like a mild curb bit. With this bit, however, you can also simply hook the reins into the large ring. If the horse then raises its head too high, the reins slide down and the leverage effect sets in. If the horse holds its head too low, the reins slide up and the bit acts like a snaffle. Curb bits, Pelham and Kimblewick can also be ridden with four reins. The Spanish curb bit is traditionally ridden without a snaffle bit, i.e. bareback. 

Some Baucher bits and pump curbs have vertical play. The mouthpiece can move up and down a little on the sides. This slight play stimulates the horse's chewing activity. The jaw can relax through chewing and the horse is generally more content when it is relaxed. 

The correct fit

In order for a bit to work properly, it must be the right size and correctly fastened. 

The cheek pieces should be fastened in such a way that a small fold forms on the horse's mouth. Then the bit sits at the right height. 

The bit width 

The width of the bit depends on the type of bit. 

Loose ring snaffles with flexible rings should be bought 0.5cm larger. There is a risk that the lips could get caught between the mouthpiece and the bit ring. This also applies to snaffles that are combined with a curb bit. Curb bits, Baucher bits, eggbutt bits, full bits and other bits that do not have flexible rings should fit tightly to the corners of the mouth in order to be able to work properly over the side parts. 

The bit thickness 

Since horse heads are being bred to be more delicate these days, the gap between the mouth and the space in the mouth is also getting smaller. Thinner bits can be used on these horses. However, many horses also find thicker bits more comfortable. This again depends on the horse and how it reacts to the mouthpiece. Thin bits are not necessarily sharper than thick bits. If you are still unsure whether you should use a thin or thick bit, you can also consult your equine dentist.