Equestrian Bits for Polo Ponies

The Bit is a metal mouthpiece serving to control, curb, and direct a polo pony. Bits are designed to place pressure in and around a polo pony’s mouth. A rider uses this pressure to control the polo pony's speed and direction.

The bridle is adjusted to hold the bit in the gap between the horse's front and rear teeth. In this position it will rest against the skin covering the inside of the lower jaw called the bars. When you pull on the reins the bit applies pressure on the horse's lower jaw.

Types of Bridle Bits

There are many different equestrian bridle bits available, each designed to have a different type of control on a polo pony.

Snaffle Bit

A jointed metal bar with large rings at either end.

Curb Bit

A type of bit with a mouthpiece and shanks.

Pelham Bit

A bar mouthpiece that combines a curb and a snaffle for more precise control.

Riding and Training Bits

Inexperienced polo ponies may be confused and respond adversely to the type of pressure applied by some bits. Applying large amounts of pressure for an initial response increases undesirable responses and limits the ability of a polo pony to learn new skills. Inexperienced polo ponies should be trained with bits that apply only mild pressure, instead of bits that intensify pressure or apply leverage.

Some riders may use inappropriate levels of pressure or apply pressure at the wrong times. Using prolonged pressure encourages resistance in a polo pony. The use of bit pressure should be short and immediately followed by a release. If more rein pressure is needed, additional pull-and-release pressure should be used instead of lengthening the duration.

The Bitting Process

Bits provide one of the major points of control when riding. The goal of the bitting process is to train the polo pony to respond to as little pressure as possible.

Ring snaffles apply direct pressure from the reins to the polo pony’s mouth. Most ring snaffles have jointed mouthpieces to intensify the pressure on the corners of the mouth. This enhances the ability to pull laterally, directly guiding the motion of the polo pony by redirecting its head.

Common Terms for Identifying Bits

Bars

The mouthpiece portion that is located between the shank and port. The bit’s headstall is adjusted so that the bars are positioned to rest on the bottom palate (the lower gum area between the front and back teeth) of the polo pony’s mouth. This gum area is also termed the 'bars' of the polo pony’s mouth.

Bosal

Noseband portion of a hackamore. Bosals are made to surround the bridge of the polo pony’s nose and lower jaws. Bosals are most commonly constructed with rawhide braided around a rawhide or cable core. Hackamores using bosals are commonly referred to as 'breaking hackamores' because of their popularity of use with young or inexperienced horses.

Bridle Bit

A commonly used term for a bit that applies curb or leverage pressure.

Broken Mouthpiece

Mouthpiece that is hinged or jointed near the center. It's common for broken mouthpieces to have one hinged joint.

Chin or Curb Strap

A leather or chain strap attached to the shanks of a curb bit. It is positioned under the polo pony’s chin behind the muzzle. Chinstraps provide the lower boundary point of pressure when rein pressure is applied to curb bits. Adjustment allows for the release of chin pressure when the reins are loose. The longer or more loosely attached the chinstrap is, the less abrupt and intense the applied pressure will be.

Curb Bit

A type of bit with a mouthpiece and shanks. The headstall is attached to upper shanks and the reins are attached to lower shanks of a curb bit. Curb bits apply leverage pressure. When the reins are pulled, the action of the mouthpiece and curb strap tighten on various locations in and around the mouth. Curb bits are modified to apply varying amounts of pressure on the tongue, lips, bars, and roof of the mouth.

Hackamore

Headstall and noseband designed to exert pressure on the bridge of the nose and under the chin of the polo pony’s head.

Mechanical Hackamore

A noseband device with a curb strap and hinged sidepieces. Mechanical hackamores apply pressure around the nose and chin. The main function of a mechanical hackamore is to slow or stop since its design limits the use of lateral pressure.

Mouthpiece

The part of the bit that lies across the tongue. Bits usually have a single mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is positioned in the mouth to lie on top of the tongue. Usually, the headstall is adjusted so that the bit’s mouthpiece is positioned to lightly touch the mouth where the upper and lower lips join.

Port

The raised portion of a solid mouthpiece. The port places pressure along the tongue. If the port is high enough it will also put pressure on the roof of the mouth. Wider port widths produce less pressure on the tongue. Some hinged mouthpieces also have ports.

Pressure Points

The parts of a horse where bits apply pressure. Pressure points include the tongue, bars, roof, and the corners of the mouth, as well as the nose, chin, and the poll.

Rings

The outer portion of a Snaffle Bit that positions the mouthpiece. The headstall and reins are attached to the rings. Variations in the ring diameter and shape will influence the location and intensity of rein pressure.

Shanks

The sidepieces of a Curb Bit. Upper shanks extend above the mouthpiece to provide an attachment point for the headstall and curb strap. Lower shanks extend below the mouthpiece to provide an attachment point for the reins. Variations in the length and angle of the shanks create different pressure intensities.

Snaffle

A type of bit made of a mouthpiece and rings. Snaffle Bit mouthpieces are often jointed in the middle. Because of this, Curb Bits with jointed mouthpieces are also called Snaffles, even though they actually work using curb pressure. A true Snaffle Bit is constructed so that the bridle headstall and reins are attached to rings on the outside of the mouth. The rings transfer rein pressure directly to the mouthpiece. Snaffle bits place pressure on the tongue, the bars, and the corners of the mouth.

Solid Mouthpiece

A mouthpiece without any joints. Solid mouthpieces have bars and ports that vary the amount and area of pressure.

Snaffle Bits

Snaffle Use

An inexperienced polo pony is trained to respond to a direct pull of the reins. A Snaffle Bit applies a simple type of pressure called a direct pull.

Smooth O Ring For daily training where lateral pull is required

Smooth D Ring Ring shape spreads out pressure along outside of the mouth

Dr. Bristol Mouthpiece Rings in center of mouthpiece assist in holding tongue in place below mouthpiece

Iron Twist Twist decreases contact on tongue, intensifying amount of pressure

Wire Twist Intensifies pressure on corners of mouth when rein pressure is applied

Curb Bits

Curb Use

A Curb Bit is used primarily to slow or stop a polo pony with pressure created by leverage and to guide the polo pony with a neck rein cue.

Jointed Mouthpiece Intensifies pressure on corners of the mouth. This mouthpiece and shank length is frequently used as the first curb bit when making a transition from bosal or ring snaffle

Grazing Port Allows for little tongue pressure and no palate pressure. Curved shanks create over balance, thus heightens release of pressure when the rider is not applying rein pressure. In general, this is a mild bit and is recommended as a transition from a jointed mouthpiece curb to a solid mouthpiece

Sweetwater Port Allows tongue to escape rein pressure. Pressure is applied on the bars