Heartland Saddlery has an excellent and extensive range of bits to suit most needs. Not only do we have different types, we also have bits made from a range of different materials.

Abbey Bits who are one of our UK suppliers can custom make all sizes of bit up to an 8 inch mouthpiece. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require a custom made bit.

We can help you find the bit that best suits your needs and then enable you to discuss this with your instructor or coach.

Although there are many bits to choose from, they are broken down into just five families-all have different attributes that influence the horse in a different way.

Here is a brief overview on mouthpiece materials:

Copper - A metal which can be used to cover other metal mouthpieces to encourage salivation.

Sweet Iron - bits made using this encourages the horse to salivate and in turn produces a pleasant taste in the mouth from the bit.

Synthetic - A material that can be used to make very light bits which usually have fairly thick mouthpieces which are softer on the horse's mouth.

Brass Alloy - Bits made using this metal have a unique flavour which can help the horse to soften, they usually are a light gold colour.

Rubber - A material that can be used to cover metal mouthpieces, rubber helps to make a very thick , but soft bit.

Hard Rubber - A type of rubber that is hardened by heat. These mouthpieces are generally thick like rubber, so are usually soft in the mouth.

Here is a brief overview of types of bits and their uses:

Snaffles - Snaffles are probably the most popular type of bit - they can be straight bar, single jointed or double jointed and all of these work in various ways to create a slightly different reaction.

In addition to the mouthpiece, snaffles can also have different rings - they can be fixed to help prevent pinching, loose to allow greater movement or 'play' D ring, Fulmer or full cheek to help prevent the bit being pulled through the mouth and to help with steering and hanging cheek to help prevent the horse getting his tongue over the bit.

Although some snaffles can be very mild, not all are. If the mouthpiece is thinner, there's any uneven surface on the mouthpiece, or the plate in a double jointed is twisted this can increase the severity.

Doubles - doubles are most commonly seen in the dressage and showing arena. Doubles are made up of three parts; Bradoon, Weymouth and curb. Weymouth's should fit snugly, the curb is the lowering part of the double bridle, while the Snaffle/Bradoon is the raising element. A Curb's lever arm should be measured from the base of the mouth piece to the end and legal length is 10cm. Always buy your Bradoon 1/4 inch bigger than the Curb, sometimes a single jointed Bradoon may need to be 1/2 inch larger depending on the action of the mouth piece you use.

In addition to the normal areas that bits work, doubles also act on the chin groove and poll and this can help encourage more advanced head carriage and improve control.

Pelhams - Pelhams aim to combine the action associated with a double in one bit. It can either be used with roundings or with double reins to encourage refinement. The Pelham is a compromise between the Snaffle and the Curb bit. This bit has been in existence for many years and has proved to be very successful. It works by exerting pressure on the poll, curb groove and mouth and is very comfortable for horses with short wide mouth conformation. It is not very effective in it's true action on horses with narrower, long mouths. Many horses find Pelham’s too strong when they jump so try a round of fences before you buy one. The Pelham group of bits includes Kimberwicks.

Pelhams are quite severe and should only be used by experienced riders.

Gags - Gags are related to the snaffle but are more severe. Gags work by causing the action of a conventional bit with a lever action which works on the poll. They are often seen on horses that cross their jaw and pull. As with Pelhams, gags should be used with two reins and should only be used by experienced people.

These bits suit strong horses that bear down and pull into fences, as it raises and flexes the carriage enabling the rider to stop with more control. They should be used with two reins for safety and to help the horse as often with Gags the horse will start off well then end up overbent as the effect of the single rein pressure becomes too much. This bit requires specific cheek pieces to run through the rings of the bit. The rolled leather looks great, but runs slower through the rings than the rope variety so giving a slower response.

Bitless - A bitless bridle or Hackamore is not technically a type of bit but is used as an alternative. Despite the lack of bit, bitless bridles can be quite severe. They rely on points of control outside the horse's mouth, especially the nose.

Here is a brief overview on the types of bit available and their different actions:

Loose Rings - This bit encourages more movement and play than Eggbutts or Full cheeks. It discourages blocking, fixing and leaning, also it encourages mouthing allowing the mouthpiece more movement and to follow the angle of the tongue.

Eggbutts - A fixed cheek, so everything is more still in the mouth. If a horse is lacking confidence in the contact, this will encourage him to stretch into the feel and accept the bit more freely.

D Rings - Also a fixed cheek, it helps in turning and better communication. Fixed cheeks should be fitted more snugly than loose rings to reduce friction back and forth across the mouth.

Full Cheeks - This reinforces the turning aids, and provided it is fitted correctly (snug) will not allow the mouth piece to be pulled through the mouth. If used with a keeper to the cheek piece of the bridle, the action will be in one fixed position in the mouth and give some poll pressure. Used for starting youngsters as it has a direct steering effect, though at this stage it is not fixed as we wish to encourage mouthing and acceptance.

Half Cheek (Tranz) - Another way of reinforcing the turning aids. Usually used in conjunction with keepers to give a little poll pressure.

Baucher - (or Hanging Snaffle) This bit gives poll pressure and lowers the head, when the contact is taken up the arm is moved forwards causing the mouth piece to lift, then any further action is designated by the type of mouthpiece.

Universal - This bit has a mild gag action, as any extension above the mouth piece will cause poll pressure (head raising), and any below will cause leverage (head lowering) this is why this bit is so unique.

It can give the refinement of each type action while allowing the rider to change the focus of the pressure as it has four separate settings to use. As with the other bits further action will be designated by the mouth piece chosen.

Beval - This bit has two settings, and like the Universal has a dual action of the Baucher (poll pressure) and the Gag with flexion and raising. This bit is a favourite with ponies as it gives the child more control without being severe.

Neue Schule Jumper - Another unique and interesting bit, which offers a cross between a Gag and a Elevator. Very effective in the show jumping and cross country phases of eventing as it offers more control and precision. With it's lifting effect in front it lets the rider sit the horse back and turn quickly. This bit has several separate settings to give a different emphasis as needed.

For your horse to be completely comfortable and working at its best, make sure the bit is the correct size and your saddle is fitted correctly.

Visit Heartland Saddlery today and find the key to your horse's mouth!