By Ralph Moses — 3 Star Parelli Instructor
Perhaps one of the most confusing questions a beginning horse person will ever encounter is: “What bit should I use with my horse?”
And, as is common in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program, the answer is: “It depends!”
So, what does it depend on? The simple answer:
- What stage of development is your horse in?
- What stage of development are you in as a rider and horseman?
Types of bits: First, let’s talk a little about the different bit types. Walk into any tack shop and you’ll probably see a dizzying array of bits mounted on the wall.
One prominent manufacturer has 57 different types of common bits and 47 performance bits. This company offers 17 different shank lengths and 25 cheek pieces. Further, the performance bits can be built with 26 different styles of silver work.
Confused? Well, let’s make it simple.
There are essentially four categories of bits: snaffle bits, transitional bits, curb bits, and performance bits. Each bit type has a stage of when it should be used and a specific purpose.
And the two most basic types of bits are snaffle bits and curb bits.
Snaffle Bits: Snaffle bits are primarily used for lateral work, that is, bending and shaping your horse for particular moves.
When a snaffle bit is activated, it puts pressure on the opposite cheek of the horse’s mouth. A right rein exerts pressure on the left cheek which causes the horse to tip its nose to the right. At the beginning, this creates lateral flexion through the horse’s neck. As the horse advances, it will create latitudinal flexion, that is, flexion through the horse’s barrel and ribs.
A common form of the snaffle bit, a loose ring snaffle, is found in the Parelli Horseman’s Bridle. The bit has O-ring cheek pieces, copper inlay on the mouthpiece, and slobber straps. The slobber straps slow the human’s hands down. Generally speaking, when the rider lifts the reins, the horse can feel that signal coming through the slobber straps which gives him advanced notice and more time to prepare to respond.
In addition, when the rider releases the pressure, the slobber straps speed up the release. And, as the Parelli Program teaches us, our horses learn when we release pressure, or as we like to say, “it’s the release that teaches”.
Another common form of snaffle bits is the “D-ring” snaffle.
The cheek pieces on a D-ring bit are...guess what...shaped like “D”s. And, like the O-ring cheek pieces, they exert a steady pressure on the opposite cheek. This bit also has a copper roller in the center. Some horses enjoy playing with the roller with their tongues.
Transitional bits: The Parelli Cradle bit is a transition bit from snaffle to curb.
This bit can be used as a snaffle bit when the reins are attached to the large O-ring or as an extremely mild curb bit when the reins are attached to the small D rings.
Curb Bits: A curb bit, sometimes called a leverage bit, is intended to be used for communication between the rider and their horse.
A curb bit basically has four parts:
- The mouthpiece—the part that goes into the horse’s mouth.
- The shanks—the arms (levers) below the mouthpiece that reins are attached to.
- The port—the “bend” in the mouthpiece which provides tongue relief.
- The purchase—The part above the mouthpiece that the headstall and chin strap are attached to.
The above bit on the left is a Monte Foreman curb bit. Monte Foreman, one of the original natural horsemen, designed this bit to act primarily as a curb bit, but also to be used as a snaffle for limited corrective work when transitioning from a snaffle bit to a curb bit. The reins can be attached to the D-rings or to the shanks.
The bit on the right is a hinged curb bit. By lifting one rein, the rider can communicate with the horse’s mouth on that side. The swivel on the shanks allows for some lateral communications.
Both of these bits could be considered “transitional” bits, that is, bits to be used when transitioning a horse from snaffle bit to a performance bit.
Several important points about curb bits:
First, and most importantly, the length of the shank and the length of the purchase is the ratio of movement (and pressure) transmitted to the horse’s bars in their mouth. A 4” shank and a 1” purchase create a 4 to 1 ratio, that is, one ounce of pressure on the reins creates four ounces of pressure in the horse’s mouth.
Second, the port on a curb bit provides room (relief) for the horse’s tongue. The amount of porting that a horse needs is frequently associated with the Horsenality (for more information on the Parelli Horsenality education model, click here). Some curb bits have no porting while others have large ports. A right brained horse typically needs less porting whereas a left brain horse typically prefers a larger port.
Performance bits: Generally speaking, there are two types of Western performance bits--”half breed” and “spade” or “spoon” bits. Usually, they have lots of silver and ornate tooling.
In the English and dressage worlds, there are performance bits like the Kimberwick, Pelham, and double bridle bits.
The most significant thing to be said about performance bits is that they are NOT for training the horse or the rider—they are for showing an educated horse by an advanced rider. 
This is a “half-breed” bit. It is the second to last stage of bits used in developing a bridle horse.
Typically, this bit is used with a bosalito should the rider need to correct a horse when it did not listen to or understand the rider’s body language.
Back to the original question: “What bit should I use with my horse?”
There are hundreds of articles and books about bits, when to use them, why to use them, what bit to use when, and on...and on...and on.
First, an inexperienced rider on a young, inexperienced horse is a dangerous combination—no matter what bit they are using.
An inexperienced rider will tend to pull back with both reins should the horse get going faster than the rider feels comfortable or if the horse gets confused or misbehaves. Pulling back with both reins is an innate characteristic of people and is the exact opposite of what a young horse usually needs when it is afraid or unconfident.
Pulling back with both reins will often cause a young horse to buck or rear—they feel the need to go forward but the bit is blocking their forward motion.
A very simple progression for a horse is as follows:
- Young, inexperienced horse – Hackamore to teach lateral flexion (through the neck) and to respond appropriately to pressure on its face.
- Beginning through Intermediate horse – O ring or D ring snaffle bit to reinforce lateral flexion, teach latitudinal flexion (through the ribs) and introduce vertical flexion (collection from the nose through the neck).
- Intermediate horse – Transitional bit to reinforce lateral/latitudinal flexion when needed, advance vertical flexion and introduce longitudinal flexion (over the back from nose to tail).
- Advancing horse – Addition of a curb bit to reinforce/refine longitudinal flexion for forward/backwards movements.
- Advanced horse – Performance bit such as a half breed bit with bosalito to reinforce/refine all flexions.
- Finished horse – English Double Bridle or Western Performance bit such as a spade bit or spoon bit with all the fancy silver work, mouthpieces and headstalls...where the bit is really only for show!
And a very simple progression for a rider is:
- Beginning rider – A hackamore with the rider using only one hand at a time to teach the rider to use their body and legs before the reins.
- Beginning rider with balance (and good for all riders!) – One rein riding with a halter and 12’ line to teach the rider to stay out of the horse’s mouth and use only one rein at a time.
- Beginning, Intermediate and Advancing rider – Snaffle bit to teach the rider how to ask their horse for lateral flexion and teach latitudinal flexion and beginning collection.
- Advancing rider – Transitional bit to help the rider learn to reinforce lateral and latitudinal flexions and to introduce longitudinal flexion.
- Advanced rider – Introductory performance bit such as a half breed bit to reinforce/refine all flexions.
- Advanced rider – Performance bit such as a Double Bridle or spoon or spade bit – and the rider never needs to use the bit for control!
In competitions, the choice of a bit will also depend on the sponsoring organization. For example, the AQHA, FEI, and Cowboy Dressage all have rules specifying the type and nature of a bit that can be used in their events.
But...the best bit of all, in all situations...is a bit of Savvy, and that’s why we’re here!
Our goal at Parelli Natural Horsemanship is to inspire and educate you to be the horseman your horse always dreamed you would be. Our step-by-step home study program takes you from basic skills and safety all the way to the fundamentals of performance whether you aspire to compete in English or Western events, trail ride or simply enjoy a partnership with your horse. No matter your goals, we are here to help you live your best horse life by following our Partnership Program. Take the next step and join Level One today!
