Bits and Bit Alternatives

BIT – A device normally made of metal or rubber attached to the bridle, and placed into the horse’s mouth to
control head position, pace and direction; manipulated by the rider through the reins; consists of the cheek
pieces and the mouthpiece.

SNAFFLE BIT – Also known as a snaffle; the simplest and most commonly used of all bits; primarily straight or
jointed mouthpiece with a ring on either end to which one pair of reins is attached.

HACKAMORE – A bitless bridle; leather headstall attached to a semi-oval plaited leather or rawhide bosal
knotted under the chin of the horse; generally sits at a 45 degree angle from the bridge of the nose to the chin;
control is achieved through pressure applied to the bridge of the nose and the poll.

MECHANICAL HACKAMORE – Also known as a hackamore, hackamore bit; a bitless bridle; consists of a
headstall, noseband that goes over bridge of the nose, two long metal shanks connected to each side of the
noseband, and left and right reins attached to the respective shanks; control is achieved through pressure
applied to the bridge of the nose and when used in conjunction with any type of curb chain or strap, pressure is
on the bridge of the nose and chin groove.

CURB BIT – Also known as curb; a bit consisting of two metal cheek pieces and a ported mouthpiece that brings
pressure to bear on the bars of the mouth using leverage instead of direct pressure; the reins are attached to
rings on the cheek pieces; used in conjuction with a curb strap or curb chain.

All definitions are excerpts from Horsewords: The Equine Dictionary
By Maria Belknap; Trafalgar Square Publishing; ISBN: 1-57076-274-0.