Bits

The first of these key bits are mine and I use them for mouthing a horse. If you place these bits into its mouth they will chew and chew and the keys must be quite annoying. But the horse gets used to them. Then when he goes very quiet with

The Waterford bit is that which has a row of balls all linked obviously and they make it difficult for the horse to take the bit and run with it. If you have a horse who tends to literally take the bit and pull, try a Waterford. These I have

The Pelham along with various version of the Pelham has been adapted for driving, for use with a bridoon, as a double bridle. There is the Liverpool and the Liverpool slide, an example of that is shown here.  They have a variety of mouth pieces, straight, curved, sometimes with a

This is a replica of the design of bit that Boudica (reign AD 60 – 61) was using. It is simple with a central link and loose rings. So they obviously knew quite a lot about bitting in those times. There is a very good collection of bronze age bits

Bits are as ancient as is our association with the horse, either for guiding the chariot, the plough or for riding. Thousands of years have passed and in many ways very little has altered in their designs.  We begin with the snaffle.  A joined bit seems to have been the

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

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

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

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

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.