There are entire books written about horse bits and how to find the best one for your horse, so it’s impossible to cover everything in a single article. That said, there are basics that every horse owner should know. To help simplify your search for the perfect horse bit, we reviewed the most common bits in both English and Western disciplines, along with a few that cross over. We also look at what should factor into your choice of bit and how to find the best one for you and your horse.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Copper Eggbutt Snaffle Horse Bit
Competition legal in both English and Western disciplines
Versatile
Mild action
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Best for Beginners
Stubben Loose Ring Snaffle Horse Bit
Useful for training and riding
Double-break mouthpiece
Available in multiple sizes
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Best for Barrel Racing
JP Korsteel Loose Ring Snaffle Bit
Encourages your horse to move off the forehand
Promotes salivation
Curved design
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Best for Training
Weaver Leather Twisted Wire Snaffle
Great step up from traditional snaffle
Functional bit with single break
Not too harsh
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Best Correction Bit
Professional’s Choice Correction Bit
Promotes salivation
Swivel shanks
Can be used on most horses
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The 10 Best Horse Bits
Every equestrian should have an all-purpose snaffle bit in their tack room. This Linked Eggbutt Snaffle Bit is a three-piece snaffle that comes in various mouth sizes, ranging from 4.5 to 5.75 inches. The three-piece style makes this bit super gentle. It’s a great bit for everyday riding, safe in the hands of inexperienced riders, and useful in both Western and English disciplines. The copper mouthpiece promotes salivation in your horse, so they won’t become uncomfortable wearing this bit for long periods of time.
Bit type: Snaffle
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Bit type: Snaffle
- Bit type: Snaffle
The eggbutt-style cheekpieces on this snaffle bit mean you won’t need bit guards like you would with a loose ring snaffle bit. The one downside of having an eggbutt snaffle is that the bit must fit your horse’s mouth perfectly. If you’re switching between different horses, you may be better off with a loose ring snaffle. While a three-piece bit is generally milder on a horse’s mouth than a two-piece, single-break snaffle, some horses simply don’t like it. This bit is quite gentle, so it’s not ideal for training.
All in all, we think this is the best horse bit you can buy this year.
Pros
Competition legal in both English and Western disciplines
Versatile
Mild action
It doesn’t require a bit guard
Cons
Eggbutt style must fit properly
Not a training bit
The Stubben Easy-Control Loose Ring Snaffle Bit is a relatively mild bit that’s safe enough for beginners to use but also makes a great training bit. With the mouthpiece separated from the rings, your horse will be able to feel even the subtlest of rein cues. As it’s a snaffle, it operates on direct rein pressure, and the double break mouthpiece makes it gentler than a bit with a single break.
Competition legal in both English and Western disciplines
Versatile
Mild action
It doesn’t require a bit guard
- Competition legal in both English and Western disciplines
- Versatile
- Mild action
- It doesn’t require a bit guard
Eggbutt style must fit properly
Not a training bit
- Eggbutt style must fit properly
- Not a training bit
As with any bit, this one can become harsh if it’s operated by a heavy-handed rider or beginner horse riders who don’t have good rein control. If heavy-handedness is a concern, riders should opt for riding in a halter or side-pull bitless bridle to avoid causing damage to their horse’s mouth.
Pros
Gentle bit
Useful for training and riding
Double-break mouthpiece
Available in multiple sizes
Cons
Can still be harsh if used with heavy hands
A loose ring requires bit guards
The Blue Steel Oval Link Loose Ring from JP Korsteel is a great choice of bit for barrel racing. The curved design reduces nutcracker action by preventing contact with your horse’s mouth, while the steel finish promotes salivation.
Gentle bit
Useful for training and riding
Double-break mouthpiece
Available in multiple sizes
- Gentle bit
- Useful for training and riding
- Double-break mouthpiece
- Available in multiple sizes
Can still be harsh if used with heavy hands
A loose ring requires bit guards
- Can still be harsh if used with heavy hands
- A loose ring requires bit guards
The mobile design of this snaffle helps prevent your horse from leaning on its forehand, which is particularly important in barrel racing. By getting your horse to work from its hind end, you will have more power and speed on the pattern.
Pros
Encourages your horse to move off the forehand
Promotes salivation
Curved design
Cons
A wide mouthpiece won’t fit all horse’s mouths
- Weaver Leather Professional Ring Twisted Wire Curved Mouth Snaffle — Best for Training
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Bit type: Snaffle
This twisted wire bit from Weaver has a loose ring design to help your horse pick up subtle reining cues. Since it’s a loose ring, it will need bit guards on the side to protect your horse’s lips. This is a relatively mild, functional bit with a single break. It should be noted that a twisted wire bit is harsher than a smooth bit and shouldn’t be used by beginners.
Encourages your horse to move off the forehand
Promotes salivation
Curved design
- Encourages your horse to move off the forehand
- Promotes salivation
- Curved design
A wide mouthpiece won’t fit all horse’s mouths
- A wide mouthpiece won’t fit all horse’s mouths
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This is a good choice for horses that need slightly stronger communication than a typical snaffle but don’t require the extra leverage of a shank. This bit can become rusty in the long term, so it will need regular cleaning.
Pros
Great step up from traditional snaffle
Functional bit with single break
Not too harsh
Cons
Can rust over time
Requires bit guards
- Professional’s Choice Feather Shank Correction Bit — Best Correction Bit
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Bit type: Curb
The Professional’s Choice Feather Shank Correction Bit is a curb bit designed for the exact exercise that it’s named for: correction. Such bits play an important role in training. This port bit contains copper to promote salivation and shanks that swivel to refine communication.
Great step up from traditional snaffle
Functional bit with single break
Not too harsh
- Great step up from traditional snaffle
- Functional bit with single break
- Not too harsh
Can rust over time
Requires bit guards
- Can rust over time
- Requires bit guards
Bit type: Curb
Bit type: Curb
- Bit type: Curb
This bit, or some version of it, is likely to be found in the tack room arsenal of most trainers. It’s a popular bit style because it works so well and can be used on almost any horse to refine and soften cues. It’s also a great choice for transitioning young horses from a snaffle to a curb bit.
This bit will be harsh if it is placed in inexperienced hands. A bit is only as good as the rider’s skill, so while this is a great choice for experienced horse riders, it should not be used by beginners.
Pros
Promotes salivation
Swivel shanks
Can be used on most horses
Cons
Not for beginners
- Professionals Choice Bob Avila Santa Rosa Shank — Best Western Show Bit
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Bit type: Curb
Many Western shows don’t allow competitors to use snaffle bits in the show ring for horses over the age of 5. In most cases, show bits are meant to be used when riding one-handed, so little direct rein pressure should be applied to the long shanks.
Promotes salivation
Swivel shanks
Can be used on most horses
- Promotes salivation
- Swivel shanks
- Can be used on most horses
Not for beginners
- Not for beginners
This bit has a copper roller mouthpiece for impatient horses to fiddle with while also promoting salivation. As with any “show bit,” this one isn’t designed for daily riding but will mostly be reserved for use in the ring.
Pros
Copper roller
Beautiful show-ready design
Cons
Not for everyday riding
- Myler 02 English Dee without Hooks — Best Hunter/Jumper/Dressage Bit
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Bit type: Curb
The Myler 02 English Dee bit is dressage legal and multi-purpose for all English disciplines. Myler bits have different levels that correspond to your horse’s personality, training, potential, and experience. Level-one bits operate using mainly tongue pressure and are considered the mildest of all Myler bits. The centerpiece of this bit rotates separately to encourage your horse to break at the poll without pinching, while the curved mouthpiece provides your horse with a more comfortable fit.
Copper roller
Beautiful show-ready design
- Copper roller
- Beautiful show-ready design
Not for everyday riding
- Not for everyday riding
This bit does not have hooks on it, so there is no separate place to secure the bit to the bridle. This can result in less stability of the bit in the horse’s mouth. Whether this is an issue is a matter of preference. Hooks are specific to English disciplines; while Western horses can use D-ring snaffle bits, they don’t typically have hooks on them.
Pros
Competition legal
Level-one bit
Cons
No hooks
- Horze Equestrian Apple Flavor Mullen Loose Ring Snaffle Horse Bit — Best for Colt Starting and Green
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Bit type: Snaffle
This Mullen bit from Horze Equestrian is apple-flavored to encourage sensitive or green horses to take the bit. The Mullen-style mouthpiece gives the bit stability, while the rubber, flavored coating encourages acceptance of the bit in a positive manner. The solid mouthpiece won’t collapse with pressure, and the pressure is evenly distributed across the horse’s mouth. Loose cheek pieces promote self-carriage.
Competition legal
Level-one bit
- Competition legal
- Level-one bit
No hooks
- No hooks
Bit type: Snaffle
Bit type: Snaffle
- Bit type: Snaffle
This bit is ideal for starting horses because it has built-in positive reinforcement mechanisms to encourage bit acceptance for those that may be reluctant to do so. It’s not great for long-term use or refinement of movement. However, it provides an extra bit of help and encouragement for a horse that needs it.
Pros
Solid mouthpiece
Flavored, rubber coating
No pinching or collapsing
Cons
Promotes self-carriage
Mild bit
Great for colt starting
- Reinsman Junior Cowhorse Snaffle with Sweet Iron — Best for Horses That Don’t Go in a Snaffle or That Work Cattle
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Bit type: Curb, gag
Junior cowhorse bits come in different styles, but they are essentially three-piece gag bits with short shanks. Some are “half-gags” with leverage. This particular model from Reinsman is designed to help your horse move from direct reining to neck reining. It helps in teaching your horse to get its legs underneath itself and its hind end down — the exact movements that you desire when working a cow.
Solid mouthpiece
Flavored, rubber coating
No pinching or collapsing
- Solid mouthpiece
- Flavored, rubber coating
- No pinching or collapsing
Promotes self-carriage
Mild bit
Great for colt starting
- Promotes self-carriage
- Mild bit
- Great for colt starting
Bit type: Curb, gag
Bit type: Curb, gag
- Bit type: Curb, gag
While this bit is dubbed as a “cowhorse” bit, it’s a fantastic bit for horses that need more contact than a snaffle provides. The roller often pacifies nervous horses and encourages proper headset by adding tongue pressure. This bit is also a sweet iron bit, so it tastes good to your horse.
Junior cowhorse bits fall into “love them” or “hate them” categories in the horse world. Some horses go well in them and some don’t. As it is a curb bit, it can be harsh if used by heavy-handed riders. This model is a nice in-between gag bit with some leverage.
Pros
Half gag
Copper roller
Sweet iron
Cons
Can be harsh
- Bob Avila Collection by Professional Choice Swivel Port Bit
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Bit type: Curb, correction, port
Swiveled port bits like this one from Professional’s Choice are a mild shank bit when used with light hands. The mouthpiece is designed to rotate a full 360 degrees, and each side rotates separately, giving you the ultimate control over each part of your horse’s body. You can find this type of bit with all different shank lengths, fancy show designs, or plain sides, but what ultimately matters is how you use it for cueing your horse.
Half gag
Copper roller
Sweet iron
- Half gag
- Copper roller
- Sweet iron
Can be harsh
- Can be harsh
Bit type: Curb, correction, port
Bit type: Curb, correction, port
- Bit type: Curb, correction, port
Swivel action makes rein cues extremely simple for your horse to understand, which makes this bit a great tool when transitioning a young horse from a snaffle to a curb. This bit can still be used with direct reining, mimicking snaffle bit pressure and enabling your horse to adjust with almost no difficulty. This bit has a longer shank, which is ideal for slowing down the connection between the rider’s hands and the horse’s mouth. This is key for your horse to learn to go in a leverage bit.
Pros
Great transition bit
Swivel shanks
Can be used on a direct rein
Cons
Harsh in inexperienced hands
Great transition bit
Swivel shanks
Can be used on a direct rein
- Great transition bit
- Swivel shanks
- Can be used on a direct rein
Harsh in inexperienced hands
- Harsh in inexperienced hands
Buyer’s Guide — Horse Bits 101
Horse bits are among the most misunderstood, mislabeled, and misused pieces of horse tack in existence. Snaffle, curb, leverage, gag, port, shank, loose ring — while these terms are tossed around freely among horse people, they can be incredibly confusing for anyone just learning about bits. For all intents and purposes, there are two primary bit types:
Snaffle bit
Curb bit
There are thousands of different variations of each, but every horse bit will fall into one of these categories. The distinction is important. It is a common misperception that a snaffle bit refers to any bit with a break in the mouthpiece. There are even bits that are named snaffles (like the Tom Thumb Snaffle) that have shanks but are, in fact, curb bits.
- Snaffle bit
- Curb bit
Snaffle bits work on direct pressure, while curb bits work on leverage. If a bit has shanks and runs on leverage, it’s a curb bit. The mouthpiece doesn’t have anything to do with it. Many snaffles and curbs have identical mouthpieces but operate completely differently. The cheekpiece defines the bit and nothing else.
Types of Snaffles
Snaffle bits come in all different types, including D-rings, O rings, eggbutts, loose rings, fixed rings, and full cheeks. They can have any type of mouthpiece too:
Single jointed
Double-jointed (including French links, half-moons, rollers, Dr. Bristols, etc.)
Mullen mouths
Ports
Rubber mouths
Slow twists, twisted wires, corkscrews
Types of Curb Bits
Curb bits can have any of the listed mouthpieces and about a dozen others. The mouthpiece doesn’t matter, the cheekpiece does! Curb bits can have long shanks or short and all different styles, but they always have shanks that connect the bit to the rein. These shanks act as a lever when rein pressure is applied. The horse will receive pressure from the curb strap under its chin, and then the pressure will be applied to different parts of the horse’s mouth, depending on the type of mouthpiece.
- Single jointed
- Double-jointed (including French links, half-moons, rollers, Dr. Bristols, etc.)
- Mullen mouths
- Ports
- Rubber mouths
- Slow twists, twisted wires, corkscrews
English Bit Exceptions
While all bits can be classified as either snaffles or curbs, three types of English bits operate as an “in-between” category. The Pelham, Kimberwicke, and Elevator bits can operate with the characteristics of a snaffle and a curb. Pelham and Elevator bits are used with double reins, so one set of reins runs on a snaffle ring while the other runs on the curb ring. This enables the rider to use either type of bit action as they see fit.
How to Choose the Best Horse Bit
The wide variety of horse bits available means there is one suit for every different combination of horse, rider, goal, and discipline. Even small differences in bit construction can affect the way that a horse responds to rein aids.
There are four things to consider when choosing a bit:
Your hands
Your horse’s mouth
Any training problems that you want to address
The discipline that you show in
Your Hands
Your hands
Your horse’s mouth
Any training problems that you want to address
The discipline that you show in
- Your hands
- Your horse’s mouth
- Any training problems that you want to address
- The discipline that you show in
A rider’s hands should move independently of the rest of the body. This means that the rider should be balanced in the saddle and not placing pressure on the reins to balance themselves. While riding, your hands can move up, down, and to the side. If you don’t yet have independent hands, you should only use gentle bits while learning, to avoid causing pain to your horse.
Your Horse’s Mouth
Some horses are more sensitive to rein pressure than others. They are often referred to as “soft-mouthed” or “hard-mouthed” horses. Young or green horses have sensitive mouths and require gentle bits in combination with gentle hands. Horses that have been ridden rough and in harsh bits often have hard mouths. They require desensitization and often don’t respond to gentle bits or light rein aids.
Training Issues
If you have specific training issues with your horse that you want to address, this will affect your choice of bit. The ultimate goal should always be to have a responsive horse in the gentlest bit possible, but sometimes, different bits can help overcome challenges in your horse’s learning. For example, if your horse doesn’t stop well, you may have to use a more powerful bit to train your horse’s stop with light aids. It’s important to note that a training bit should be used as a tool. Horses shouldn’t be “bitted up” in an effort to mask an issue that can be solved with the appropriate training.
Riding Discipline
The riding discipline that you participate in will play a part in your choice of bit. Hunters, jumpers, dressage, Western pleasure, reining, and cutting competitions have rules surrounding what bits you are allowed to use in the ring. In a Western pleasure show, for example, you can only use a snaffle bit on a horse that is 5 years old or under. If your horse is older than that, you must ride them in a curb bit, but it can’t be a gag bit like the junior cowhorse.
Are Bits Cruel?
This question is worth addressing because there are people who don’t use bits on horses or feel that bits are painful torture devices that damage horses’ mouths.
The goal of a bit is to enhance the level of communication between the rider and the horse in a gentle way. If used correctly by compassionate and gentle riders and trainers, they are not cruel by themselves.
Regardless of the bit that you use, it does make contact with and adds pressure to a very sensitive part of the horse’s body. If the rider on the end of the reins yanks, pulls, or otherwise uses the aid in an unpleasant way, even the mildest of bits can cause pain. Like any other tool in horse training, bits operate on the principle of pressure and release. It might be uncomfortable enough to elicit a response, but it should never cause pain when used correctly.
How to Measure for a Bit
The most common bit sizes are 5, 5.5, and 6 inches. Some bits come in 6.5- and 7-inch sizes and are primarily used for draft or draft cross horses. Bits under 5 inches in length are considered pony bits.
A bit is measured by laying it flat and using a ruler to measure the space between the cheekpieces.
You can use a bit sizer to help you measure your horse’s mouth for a bit. It’s important to get the right size because a bit that’s too small will pinch the corners of your horse’s mouth, and a too-large bit won’t be effective in communicating your rein aids.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best horse bit is the mildest bit that you can use to communicate with your horse. Horses, like people, have preferences regarding bits. Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find the one that you need. Like the Copper Lozenge Link Eggbutt Snaffle Horse Bit, a snaffle bit is a good all-around horse bit that can be used in many different disciplines and for everyday riding. The reviews in this article should give you a good starting point on what to look for in a bit. When in doubt, try different options, or consult a trainer for help choosing the best bit for you and your horse.
Featured Image Credit: 11A Fotografie, Shutterstock
