Best Horse Bits

Last Updated on September 1, 2020

If you are searching for the best horse bits and have questions about which horse bit best suits you and your horse this guide is for you.

I have been riding and training horses for decades in both western and English disciplines and have used countless different bits over the years.

After reading this article you will know which horse bits I recommend for all riding styles.

Check out the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for my best horse bits picks or read on for the full review:

1. Huxlay Bros HB Joined Eggbutt Snaffle
2. Korsteel Copper Oval Link Eggbutt Snaffle
3. J P Loose Ring Copper Oval Mouth
4. Myler SS Loose Ring Comfort Snaffle Wide
5. Korsteel Regular Dee Snaffle Bit
6. Western SS Sweet Iron Snaffle D Ring Bit
7. Kelly Silver Star Copper Full Cheek Snaffle Bit
8. Coronet Copper Mouth Full Cheek Snaffle Horse Bit
9. Myler 33 Black Seven Shank Curb Bit
10. Coronet Swivel Port Bit with Roller
11. Myler 36 Kimberwick
12. Coronet Kimberwick Uxeter Bit
13. Coronet Mullen Mouth Pelham Bit
14. Shires Double Jointed Copper Lozenge Pelham

How to pick the right horse bit

When looking at all the available types of horse bits it is important to choose the gentlest bit you can. Putting unnecessary pressure on your horse can lead to performance issues.

When deciding on the type of bit to be used you need to consider multiple variables. What riding discipline will you be practicing? A Kimberwick is a classic choice for English riders while a 4″ shank curb bit is a possible choice if you are primarily riding western pleasure.

Consider the training level of your horse. Many people will understandably use a gentle eggbutt snaffle when beginning under saddle while a combination bit would be appropriate for a trained barrel racing horse.

One of the most important considerations that is forgotten is what is your experience level? Often times, beginner riders do not have a good understanding of their hands and the pressure they are putting on the horse. A riders touch is a learned skill and a beginner rider should take caution before bridling up with a long shank curb bit with a pronounced port.

Types of horse bits

Snaffle Bits

Snaffle bits are a very popular bit style and they are used in many riding disciplines. There are multiple types of snaffle bits but they all have a couple features in common. Snaffle bits have no shank and they are broken in the middle. A snaffle allows the rider to put direct pressure to the horse.

1. Eggbutt Snaffle Bit: Eggbutt snaffles are considered the gentlest type of horse bit. The shape of the rings of an eggbutt snaffle prevents the corners of the horse’s mouth from being pinched. The snaffle ring is egg shaped, which is where the bit name is derived.
2. Loose Ring Snaffle Bit: These snaffle bits have O rings and they move allowing them to pinch the corners of the horse’s mouth.
3. Dee Ring Snaffle Bit: The dee ring snaffle rings are shaped like, you guessed it, D’s. They also are free to move and pinch the horse’s mouth corners.
4. Full Cheek Snaffle Bit: These snaffle bits have a D shaped ring with bars extending above and below the rings. This allows the rider to put pressure laterally on the horse’s mouth.

Curb Bits

Curb bits are characterized with their shank length which allows the rider to provide leverage to the horse when putting pressure on the reins.

Some curb bit shanks are solid pieces connected to the mouthpiece while others have rotating shanks.

Shank lengths very widely. As the shank length increases so does the amount of leverage that can be applied when pulling up on the reins.

Curb bit shanks come in multiple styles including the C bit shank, grazing bit, and S shank curb bits.

Another distinctive aspect to curb bits are the port. The port on a curb bit is the section of the mouthpiece that is not straight. They can be oval, egg, and square shaped. As the depth of the port increases so does the severity of the bit. A larger and longer port allows for more pressure to be put on the horse when picking up on the reins.

Combination Bits

A combination bit can be thought of as a combination of a snaffle bit and a curb bit. Combination bits are used in riding disciplines ranging from western, english, to eventing and speed or contesting.

1. Kimberwick
2. Pelham
3. Gag bit
4. Elevator bit

Best Horse Bits

Best Snaffle Bits

Huxlay Bros HB Joined Eggbutt Snaffle

High quality Eggbutt snaffle bit made to provide even and gentle pressure on the horse’s mouth. A three piece mouthpiece is designed to allow light contact with direct pressure from the rider.

Korsteel Copper Oval Link Eggbutt Snaffle

Another excellent quality Eggbutt snaffle bit. The curved mouthpiece is designed to provide a comfortable fit in your horse’s mouth. The design also minimizes any pinching of the horse’s tongue while promoting salivation and relaxation.

J P Loose Ring Copper Oval Mouth

One of my favorite snaffle bits. The unique design keeps it from hitting your horse’s roof of the mouth and gets rid of the nutcracker action often found in snaffle bits. This loose ring snaffle stops pressure from being applied to the tongue as well.

Myler SS Loose Ring Comfort Snaffle Wide

Myler is one of my favorite makers of horse bits. They make quality bits for riders who want the best of the best. This loose ring snaffle applies even pressure and minimizes pinching making for a gentle yet precise riding bit.

Korsteel Regular Dee Snaffle Bit

This Korsteel Dee ring snaffle is a mild bit. It has even lateral pressure and minimal pinching but not completely eliminated. The mouthpiece is 15mm thick and the rings are three inches.

Western SS Sweet Iron Snaffle D Ring Bit

The unique design of using a copper inlay for the mouthpiece is intended to make the bit more accepting for your horse. Salivation is increased which is desirable to prevent dry mouth. The mouthpiece is five inches long and the offset Dee rings are three inches.

Kelly Silver Star Copper Full Cheek Snaffle Bit

A high quality stainless steel full cheek snaffle bit ideal for training and as a transitional bit. The five inch copper mouthpiece improves salivation preventing dry mouth.

Coronet Copper Mouth Full Cheek Snaffle Horse Bit

An excellent quality 4.75″ full cheek snaffle bit. Stainless steel with a copper mouthpiece for improved salivation. This prevents dry mouth in the horse. Provides consistent pressure to the horse’s mouth.

Best Curb Bits

Myler 33 Black Seven Shank Curb Bit

Another great bit from Myler. This curb bit has a 5″ shank and a sweet iron ported barrel copper inlay mouthpiece. This is a mild pressure curb bit with wide ports. The wide ports provide ample room for the horse’s tongue. The mouthpiece does not rotate.

Coronet Swivel Port Bit with Roller

This curb bit has a medium port with a roller. The copper inlays on the mouthpiece increase salivation. This bit has short shanks for a less severe pressure on the horse’s mouth.

Best Kimberwick Bit

Myler 36 Kimberwick

This is the best kimberwick bit I have used. It provides independent side movement and provides precise leverage adjustment. When placed in the d rings this kimberwick provides no leverage unlike some lower quality kimberwicks I have used in the past.

Coronet Kimberwick Uxeter Bit

Not as superb as the Myler Kimberwick, this model is quite good at a lower price. Stainless steel with slots allowing fixed rein positioning. This is a great all around Kimberwick bit.

Best Pelham Bit

Coronet Mullen Mouth Pelham Bit

A high quality stainless steel pelham bit. The curb hooks and the curb chain are all stainless steel. Designed for horses with a shallow tongue channel and is ideal for horses that evade bits.

Shires Double Jointed Copper Lozenge Pelham

Excellent pelham bit made of stainless steel. The copper inlay of the center mouthpiece section improves salivation and prevents dry mouth. This is a quality bit at a value price.

For more horse tack guides and tips read these articles:

• Myler Bits are high quality, find the best options for every riding style.
• Best Cowboy Hats Read the guide for the best cowboy hats for both men and women for the top options.
• Read and discover which western boots are the best on the market.
• Whether you need a small or an extra large model, find the highest quality saddle bags here.

When selecting the right horseback riding bit for your horse there are many options. But getting a top quality bit will improve your horse’s performance while being as gentle as possible on their mouth.

Here is the quick list for my picks for the best horse bits one more time. To see prices and customer reviews view the links below.

1. Huxlay Bros HB Joined Eggbutt Snaffle
2. Korsteel Copper Oval Link Eggbutt Snaffle
3. J P Loose Ring Copper Oval Mouth
4. Myler SS Loose Ring Comfort Snaffle Wide
5. Korsteel Regular Dee Snaffle Bit
6. Western SS Sweet Iron Snaffle D Ring Bit
7. Kelly Silver Star Copper Full Cheek Snaffle Bit
8. Coronet Copper Mouth Full Cheek Snaffle Horse Bit
9. Myler 33 Black Seven Shank Curb Bit
10. Coronet Swivel Port Bit with Roller
11. Myler 36 Kimberwick
12. Coronet Kimberwick Uxeter Bit
13. Coronet Mullen Mouth Pelham Bit
14. Shires Double Jointed Copper Lozenge Pelham