Bits

This Bridle boss was found at the Durdans Stables, Chalk Lane Epsom. Its date will fall between (1660-1685) as it would have decorated a horse’s bit in the service of Charles II. It is gilded bronze and a superb example of an ornament attached to the side of the curb bit. Bridle bosses are also

A similar bit can be found in Moseman’s catalogue, 1892 page 129 #1928. This riding Pelham is delicately forged. The iron rings are fine and there is a tiny decoration of a circle edged with a dogtooth pattern at the end of the upper curled shaft resembling a serpent’s head or a flower. The curb

This narrow iron bit from Mali is made by the Bamana people. The size suggests that the horse was very small, possibly a donkey. It is a very old style bit dating back to designs used hundreds of years ago. The central ‘cathedral’ so termed by bit makers in the USA rest on the roof bars

This double ringed snaffle was purchased in Pakistan. It is a combination of iron and brass. The spiked rollers once moved but are now siezed up completely. It was have been quite a hard bit and would have torn the horses mouth if used harshly. Which one rather suspects it was. This style of mouth

This jointed Pelham with curb was found in Pakistan in Islamabad. It is made of iron with brass decoration at the top of the shank. It has only a ring to take a curb rein. This is an interesting combination of both snaffle style and Pelham. Jointed Pelhams still exist. They would be reasonably severe

This bit belonged to Pavlova’s father who was a Cossack. (Cossacks are of Turku-Tartaric origin. The name Cossack comes from the word Quasar meaning adventurer or vagabond or predatory horseman in popular Russian it acquired the meaning or a free man and later specifically a warrior or a soldier. Quote from Russian Hussar, A Story

This bit dates from the Achaemenid period (539-331 BC) in Persia and was found in Persepolis. It is made of bronze. The rowled mouth piece is identical to the bit purchased in Islamabad. This must have been capable of tearing a horse’s mouth when pulled. The rowles would have spun round. They are long since