A Bit on Bitting:
Cheekpieces

Have you ever found yourself standing in a tack store, staring a wall of bits and feeling a bit confused? With different cheekpieces, mouthpieces, and materials, there are thousands of bits on the market to choose from. To help you sort through all those options, we've put together several buying guides that break down the differences between bits so you can choose the right one for your equine partner.

In this guide, we will walk through the common styles of cheekpieces, or the part you see when the bit sits in the horse's mouth, and how they can work through direct or indirect pressure. We'll discuss D-rings, full-cheeks, eggbutts, loose-rings, gags, pelhams, Kimberwicks, shanks, hackamores, combination bits, and Weymouth and bradoon cheekpieces.

Before we address different types of cheekpieces, it will be helpful to understand the difference between bits that use direct and indirect pressure. Snaffle bits that are attached directly to both the headstall or bridle and the reins engage direct pressure. This means that when the rider puts pressure on the reins, the horse will feel the same amount of pressure on the bit. In short, it is a 1:1 ratio. Snaffle bits are typically considered milder than shank bits in the right hands, as they do not work off of leverage.

Bits that employ indirect pressure use leverage so that when the reins are engaged, double or triple the amount of pressure is exerted on the bit. The ratio can differ because it factors in the purchase, or top arms of the bit, and the shank length. For example, if a bit has a 1" purchase and a 2" shank, then the ratio will be 1:2. The general rule is, the longer the shank, the more pressure is put on the mouth. Bits that work off of leverage are typically used by riders who have little to no contact or those looking for more finesse and control.

D-Ring Cheekpiece

Named after the letter it resembles, the D-ring has fixed cheekpieces that prevent the mouthpiece from sliding through the mouth and pinching the horse's lips. The headstall or bridle and reins connect to the "D" and offer the horse direct rein pressure. The D-ring is seen as a good, basic cheekpiece and is an excellent choice for green horses. The fixed rings may help stabilize a horse who is unsteady in the bridle.

Full-Cheek Cheekpiece

Full-cheek bits feature extending, narrow arms that prevent the mouthpiece from sliding through the horse's mouth and emphasize the rider's turning aids. Full-cheeks often have "keepers" which attach the top arm to the cheekpiece of the bridle. This helps stabilize the bit in the horse's mouth and prevents the arms from catching on anything. This particular mouthpiece uses direct pressure to communicate with the horse.

Eggbutt Cheekpiece

Eggbutt cheekpieces are fixed oval rings that work similarly to D-rings, as they offer stability for horses who are unsteady in the bridle. Because of the oval shape of the rings, the mouthpiece of these bits may slide through the mouth slightly more than the D-ring, but they're still a good choice for green horses. Eggbutt cheekpieces also employ direct rein pressure.

Loose-Ring Cheekpiece

A loose-ring bit features unfixed, sliding rings attached to a mouthpiece. Because the rings slide through the ends of the mouthpiece, they give the bit some side-to-side motion as well as vertical movement. Loose rings are a suitable choice for horses who lean on the bit to evade the rider's aids.

Gag Cheekpiece

There are many types of gag bits on the market, however, most will produce pressure on the horse's lips and poll. They are typically used for strong horses or in times when the rider needs to lift the horse's head or shoulders, as in barrel racing or eventing. English and Western gag bits can use leverage through shanks, sliding rope, or rotating snaffles. Due to the leverage, gag bits work through indirect pressure.

Pelham Cheekpiece

A pelham is a combination of a snaffle and a curb bit in one mouthpiece. The "snaffle rein" is connected to the rings on the side of the mouthpiece, which enact pressure directly onto the mouthpiece. A second "curb rein" attaches to shanks extending below the bit which multiply the pressure felt from the reins. The action of the curb on the shank tightens a strap or chain under the chin and engages the mouthpiece to put pressure on the tongue and bars of the horse's mouth. Although some riders will choose to use two reins for more finesse, others might go with a pelham converter so that the snaffle and shank are always engaged simultaneously. Pelhams encourage the horse to bend at the poll, without the bulk of two separate mouthpieces.

Kimberwick Cheekpiece

Similar to the pelham, the Kimberwick (or Kimbelwick) combines aspects of a snaffle and a curb bit into one mouthpiece. Unlike the pelham, the Kimberwick's mouthpiece attaches to a "D" cheekpiece with a variety of leverage options. This allows the rider to pick how much pressure is exerted on the mouthpiece and curb strap or chain. The Kimberwick is designed to offer the rider more control and encourages the horse to lower its head.

Shank Cheekpiece

Shank bits use leverage to communicate with the horse. These cheekpieces can come in short or long versions with varying degrees of intensity. Generally, shorter shanks are less intense than longer shanks because long shanks take less rein pressure to communicate with the mouth. Another factor in shank severity is the angle at which the shank sits. It takes less rein movement to cue a straighter shank bit, and straighter shanks tend to give the horse less warning that the bit is being engaged. On the other hand, a swept-back shank gives the horse more warning because the rider must pick up the reins to make contact on the bit. Riders who choose shank bits typically have little to no contact and use small cues to communicate with their horse.

Hackamore Cheekpiece

A hackamore, or bridle without a bit, works like a curb or leverage bit but with no mouthpiece. Although designs may vary, most hackamores exert pressure across the nose, jaw, and poll. Hackamores are typically broken up by which discipline they are suited for and can be made from different materials such as leather or rawhide. These "non-bits" are seen as a good choice for horses who cannot tolerate a bit.

Combination Cheekpiece

A combination bit is a hybrid of a snaffle bit, a shank bit, and a hackamore. Depending on the pressure exerted on the reins, different parts of the horse's head can be influenced. The bit first acts on the nose, poll, and chin, and when the rider continues to engage the reins, the mouthpiece rotates into the tongue and bars of the mouth. Combination bits are unique because they can be appropriate for everything from green horses to schoolmasters.

Weymouth & Bradoon Cheekpiece

The bits used on a double bridle are a Weymouth, or curb bit, and a bradoon, or snaffle bit. The bradoon is similar to a loose-ring, but it has smaller rings and attaches to its own headstall. The Weymouth attaches to the double bridle's headstall and can employ all the leverage that a curb bit does. The rider can choose to engage either the snaffle rein, the curb rein, or both, giving them the ability for subtle and stronger commands. Weymouth and bradoon combinations are typically seen in upper-level dressage.

We hope our guide on common bit cheekpieces clears up some confusion when it comes to picking a bit. One thing to note is that not every bit is suitable for every horse, so you should consider your trainer's or veterinarian's suggestions as well as any history your horse has with bits. It might take some trial and error, but you're sure to find the perfect bit for you and your favorite equine!