Most riders agree that bits can cause pain to horses. A too-severe bit in the wrong hands, or even a soft one in rough or inexperienced hands, is a well-known cause of rubs, cuts and soreness in a horse’s mouth. Dr. Cook’s research suggests the damage may go even deeper — to the bone and beyond.

Thinner bits should encourage more of a reaction to contact. Thicker bits are often a good option for young or mouth sensitive horses as they can find the pressure of a thin bit to be sharp. If you’re after a thick bit, the Shires Brass Alloy Training Bit (pictured right) could be a good option as it’s 18mm wide.

Snaffle bits are generally gentler on a horse’s mouth than other types of bits while still providing adequate communication. When a rider pulls the reins, the snaffle bit puts pressure on the bars, lips, and tongue of the horse’s mouth. When using a snaffle bit, no pressure is applied to the horse’s poll.

The snaffle bridle is the most commonly used bridle because of its versatility and functionality. It is typically used in starting young horses, trail riding, in all of the sport horse disciplines —hunter, jumper, dressage and eventing— and in fox hunting.

Eggbutt snaffle
The gentlest type of snaffle bit is the Eggbutt snaffle. The name comes from the somewhat egg-shaped connection between the mouthpiece and the bit-ring. The mouthpiece of an eggbutt can be made of a variety of materials (as can any bit), including copper and synthetic (either solid or covered).

Tom Mouthpiece: A Bristol type bit, with a three piece mouth that gives wraparound pressure on the bars and spreads pressure across the tongue. A nice transition bit from a snaffle to a shank.

These aren’t curb bits, so they don’t require a curb strap, and certainly not a curb chain. The curb’s only purpose with a snaffle is to keep the rings in place—there shouldn’t be any contact made with the curb to your horse’s jaw when you pull on your reins.

Learn about proper use and different styles of snaffle bits. Four types of snaffle bits are shown here. A good snaffle bit is worth its weight in gold (or copper or sweet iron). You can easily identify a quality snaffle by its smooth, easy pull. It’s made to slide across your horse’s mouth, without pinching.

My sensitive small mouth big tongued mare was very hard to bit – tried every variety of traditional snaffle with no luck – had a hunch & I was right – it turns out she is happiest in a port mouth Pelham or a port mouth slotted Kimblewick. Not at all strange; many, many horses are happier in a curb action bit.

Strange mare. Click to expand… Not at all strange; many, many horses are happier in a curb action bit. A snaffle is not in the least “mild” and the pinching action combined with an unforgiving hand can be pure torture for many horses.

You should consider the size of the horse’s mouth as it may not be appropriate to put a very thick bit on a small pony. an example is the Shires Flexible Rubber Mouth Snaffle.