Western Horse Bits. Western Bits for Show and Training Horses.

From breaking young horses, to reining and roping, to barrel racers, there are Western style bits to fit any activity. Each bit has their own particular use, and most trainers and professional riders have a few favorites that they turn to again and again.

The mouthpiece on a bit does not rest on the teeth, rather, it sits on the interdental space behind the front incisors and in front of the back molars. This area of the mouth is referred to as the "bars." It is important that a bit fit this area properly - bit size is based on the width of a horses jaw at the interdental space.

Roughly speaking there are two broad categories of bits - direct pressure bits, and leverage bits. With direct pressure bits, pressure on the reins acts directly on the mouthpiece with pressure on the bars, tongue and occasionally the roof of the mouth. Most Western Bits, are Leverage Bits which have some form of shank on the cheek piece. This shank transfers rein pressure to the poll and chin groove, while it also applies pressure to the mouth.

Western riders do, on occasion, use direct pressure bits. These are generally referred to as Western Snaffles, and except design and style of the cheek rings, these are identical in function to an English snaffle. Typically, these bits are used with young horses.

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Western Horse Bits

Choose a Western Bit for Training, Pleasure, or Show