Comments on: Could Someone Explain To Me About Bridles?

By: Greg B

Greg B — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:25:59 +0000

The best way to learn how to tell different kinds of bits is to start reading tack catalogs. You have have the tack companies send you a catalog for free.
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By: King Julian...Superior Ruler!

King Julian...Superior Ruler! — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:58:59 +0000

A snaffle is any bit that does not provide leverage. This includes mouthpieces that are twisted wire, slow twist, jointed, double jointed, french link, dr.bristol, oval mouth, and mullen/straight. Cheek pieces can be loose ring, eggbutt, full cheek, dee ring. Some examples of bits that are not snaffles (leverage bits) are kimberwickes, pelhams, tom thumbs, curbs, weymouths, elevator, gag. I'm really not sure how you can be confused with bridles. They are all basically the same except the nosepiece is different, or in the case of western, there isn't one (usually). For english the noseband types are cavesson, flash, figure 8, drop, and there are a few specialty kinds.
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By: darkstarrx

darkstarrx — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:19:59 +0000

Okay wow, this is hard it’s so broad, so I’ll just go through a run-down here.

A bit should make 2 wrinkles behind the lips when you are attaching it, fingers below their cheekbones with the noseband(this piece should be snug not tight), the throatlatch should take the last 4 fingers of your hands once you attach it.

Different bits
Most bits are jointed snaffles with different cheek pieces.
These can also be jointed in different ways such as:(just lookit the middle part)

Regular jointed.
How most of the bits are attached.

Straight Bar
Just a straight metal piece across.

French Link
http://www.tackroominc.com/images/JPHunterDeeFrenchLink.jpeg

These are your basic ones.

We’ll go from softer to more severe. Anything with rubber coated mouth pieces is going to be softer than metal.

Loose Ring snaffle
http://www.greystokefarm.com/store/files/images/1011.jpg
The ring spins on the metal hooks

D-Ring-most basic kind, one of the softest bits out there
http://www.outfitterssupply.com/images/WBIT25567.jpg

Full Cheek(presses against the sides of the nose)
http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/260035-full-cheek-pinchless.jpg

Eggbut Snaffle
http://www.hitchingpostsupply.com/images/products/203.jpg

Pelham Bit(uses two reins, the lower rein works the curb chain)
https://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/210876-corkscrew-pelham-bit.jpg

Elevator bit(each ring provides more leverage in the horse’s mouth)
http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/243828-gag-bit.jpg

Then you just have ones that don’t fit like

Waterford
http://myhorse.ie/images/P7b.jpg

Combination bits
http://fesweb.org.nz/images/medium-bit_03.jpg

Gags
http://www.poloshop.ie/images/forTheHorse/Bridle&Accessories/Gag-Bit.jpg

Bits that have low ports and high ports, it’s really hard, you’re just going to have to remember which horse gets which bridle and bit.

*I specifically left out the Kimberwicke bit, because I believe it holds no function in the horse world, and should no longer be manufactured*
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By: Taylor

Taylor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:45:59 +0000

I’ll try to copy and paste this from a class I took at UNH:
Snaffles have direct pressure from hands to mouth (reins attach directly to sides of bit/mouth). The horse feels the
same amount of force you are applying. There is a joint in the middle of it and there are D-ring snaffles (the sides of the bit are "d" shaped, loose ring (the rings/sides of the bit are loose-as in not attached and are able to move), and eggbutt (the ends of the bit/side are thicker, sort of egg shaped).
This is an eggbutt snaffle : http://www.thevetshed.com.au/images/products/eggbutt-snaffle.jpg

Curbs have indirect pressure from hands to mouth. The horse feels much more force than what you are applying. The lower portion hanging down is called a shank. The reins attach to the bottom portion of the shank. Curbs can be jointed (like a snaffle) or have a "curb" . Each effects the mouth differently.
This is a curb: http://www.horses-and-horse-information.com/images/curb_bit.gif

Pelhams are meant to be used with two sets of reins. They have both indirect and direct pressure on the horses mouth. These have rings attached to the bit and to the shank. Are typically jointed-with the joint breaking up into the roof of the mouth. The rein that is attached directly to the bit is used for turning, the rein attached to the shank is for collection.
This is a jointed, twisted pelham with a chain: http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/210862-slow-twist-pelham.jpg.

Gag/elevators are also used with two sets of reins. Also called "bubble bit". The bubbles are used to change the amount of force exerted on the mouth in relation to the riders hands. When rider pulls back, the mouthpiece breaks into the roof of the mouth. Good for jumpers to pick the head up. On elevators, the purchase will be the same length as the shank.

Double bridles are more or less like pelhams-two reins, but with two bits. One bit is a bradoon-used for turning. The second is a curb for collection.

I really hope this helps. Each bit is classified by how much pressure is exerted on the horses mouth in relation to how much force you use, and where the pressure is put. That said-each classification (curb, pelham, snaffle) can have different things, such as Drings, eggbutt, twists, joints, etc.

Good luck.
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By: navajoeventer!

navajoeventer! — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:20:59 +0000

the rings on the snaffle are the easiest for me to remember!
loose ring- the rings are…loose.
d ring- the rings are shaped like a d
eggbutt- the rings are shaped like the ends of eggs

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By: Tahlia

Tahlia — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:09:59 +0000

at my riding school (i work there) we haven’t got our tack room together just yet so all the bridles are in a box (i know its not the best spot for them) there are several different ways i tell them apart
first the colour of the leather/pvc ( or whatever it is )
the brow band, one of ours has gold on it, another silver, another has white leather underneath black leather ect
the colour of the bit and/or the type
one of them i go by the noseband because its the only one with a drop noseband
you learn a few tricks like that when you’ve been there while
good luck at your new barn
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By: cathy c

cathy c — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:53:59 +0000

snaffles are in general, any bit with a broken middle. d ring bits, are a snaffle with a "d" looking side. half cheek bits are with a little tail on the bottom on each side, full cheek driving bits have upper and lower tails. snaffles usually work with direct line pressure. snaffle bits are usually used with a caveson with your bridle .curb bits always have a shank, can have broken middle mouth pcs, but any shank over a half inch in length can be called a curb curb bits are usually used with curb chains or curb leathers. these help keep the bit quiet in the horses mouth. the longer the shank, the more severe the bit.
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