We stock a wide range of horse bits at Houghton Country to cover your training and competition needs. We offer brands such as Neue Schule and Sprenger, known for their research into materials and mouthpiece shapes to help improve acceptance and communication between horse and rider alongside a large selection from Jeffries Eldonian and Shires.
We stock bits for your horse to suit your and your horse’s requirements in every situation – from snaffles to bits designed to give the extra control sometimes required during faster work. The combination of mouthpiece and cheek type you choose depends on what you are looking to gain from your bit – whether you are looking for better acceptance, extra control or to change your horse’s way of going. If you don’t know where to start shopping for your new bit, you may find our Bitting Guide helpful.
A snaffle bit is a mouthpiece attached to two rings, which describes a broad range of bits. These bits do not exert poll pressure and act on the mouth only, and can come with a variety of mouthpieces. Fixed cheeks like eggbutts, hanging cheeks, D rings or full cheeks keep the bit stable in the mouth and help with steering, whereas the loose rings give the rider more play between the bit and their hands.
Bits with more than one ring on the cheek exert some poll pressure, which can have the effect of lifting or lowering the head, and can provide extra control of a stronger horse. Gag bits and Pelhams & Kimblewicks fall into this category.
The mouthpiece of the bit can dictate whether the horse accepts the bit or not, with some horses working nicely with the effect of a straight bar, mullen mouth or lozenged design, and others responding better to more undulating pressure designed to help with control.
With developments in research, there are now many different materials available in horse bits, designed for example to warm up in the mouth more quickly, promote lubrication and chewing with a sweet taste, and absorb impact from tooth enamel.
Do you need bit guards, a curb chain or pelham roundings to go with your new bit? Take a look at our horse bit accessories where you will find a range of accessories to ensure the correct positioning and comfort of your new bit. To help your horse be as comfortable as possible, it is important to pair the bit with the right bridle, and you may find our Noseband Guide and selection of bridles worth browsing.
