Driving Bits
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Product Information
Specifications:
- Styles: Snaffle and Curb
- Parts of a Snaffle Bit: Half Cheek, Mouthpiece Bit Ring, Curb
Chain Purchase - Parts of a Curb Bit: Curb Hook, Cheek, Shank
Product Usage Instructions
Snaffle Bits:
A snaffle is a direct-action bit where the rein attaches
directly to the mouthpiece ring. It works off the lips, tongue, and
bars, affecting the palate depending on the mouthpiece used.
- Mullen Half Cheek Snaffle
- Jointed Half Cheek Snaffle
- Waterford Half Cheek Snaffle
Curb Bits:
Curb bits have shanks below the mouthpiece for rein attachment.
They work off various pressure points depending on the bit
configuration.
- Medium Port Butterfly
- Arch Liverpool
Pressure Points:
To test the action of any bit, grasp the mouthpiece with one
hand and simulate the rein action with the other hand on various
pressure points like chin, tongue, palate bars, lips, etc.
Types of Snaffles:
- Mullen Half Cheek Snaffle: Arches forward; applies pressure to
lips, tongue, and bars. - Single Jointed Half Cheek Snaffle: Squeezes lips, tongue, and
bars. - French Link Half Cheek Snaffle: Squeezes lips and tongue;
smoother joint than single jointed.
FAQ
Q: How do I choose between a snaffle and curb bit?
A: The choice between a snaffle and curb bit depends on your
horse’s training level and response to different pressure points.
Consult with a professional trainer or equine specialist for
personalized advice.
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Driving Bits – Their Selection and Use
We can basically break down driving bits into two “styles”, snaffle and curb.
Parts of a Snaffle Bit:
Half Cheek
Mouthpiece Bit Ring
Curb Chain Purchase
Parts of a Curb Bit:
Curb Hook
Cheek
Shank
Snaffle Bits
Far from popular belief, a snaffle is not any jointed bit. A snaffle is a direct-action bit, meaning that the rein attaches on the ring directly connected to the mouthpiece. There is no shank and no purchase. It can come in a variety of mouthpieces, both solid and jointed. Snaffles work off the lips, tongue, and bars, and may affect the palate depending on the mouthpiece.
Mullen Half Cheek Snaffle
Jointed Half Cheek Snaffle
Waterford Half Cheek Snaffle
Curb Bits
Curb bits have shanks, metal bars below the mouthpiece to which the rein is attached. Driving curb bits have multiple places to attach the rein depending on how much leverage the driver chooses to use. The Butterfly has two rein settings, while the Liverpool has 4-5 (see rein settings below on the Liverpool page). The mouthpiece can also vary. Curbs work off of various pressure points (see next page for pressure points) depending on how the bit is configured.
Medium Port Butterfly
Arch Liverpool
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Bit
Poll
Pressure
Points
To test the action any bit, grasp the mouthpiece with one hand, and use the other to simulate the action of the rein.
Chin Tongue
Palate Bars (Gums)
Lips
Snaffle Bits all apply pressure to lips. Various mouthpieces create other actions. Here are some typical mouthpieces below:
Mullen Half Cheek
Snaffle
Single Jointed Half
Cheek Snaffle
French Link Half Cheek
Snaffle
Bowman Bean Link Half Cheek
Snaffle
Waterford Half Cheek
Snaffle
Rubber Half Cheek
Snaffle
Arches forward; applies pressure to lips, tongue,
and bars if used hard enough.
Squeezes lips, tongue, and bars; can poke horse in the
palate and pinch lips between teeth and bit.
Squeezes lips and tongue; does not collapse as hard
on jaw as the Single Jointed Snaffle, therefore
more comfortable.
Squeezes lips and tongue; smoother joint than the French Link Snaffle, therefore more comfortable.
Very mild bit; good first bit to teach horse to hold
the bit as there are no joints to play with.
Good bit to teach the horse to stay off the bit:
not what you want a driving horse to do.
Softer action than above bit; thick mouthed horses don’t seem to do as well in this bit; our next step
after a mullen.
Very mild bit with a similar action as the above bit. See graphic
on last page.
Lays across tongue to distribute pressure.
Currently only available in a few sizes.
Primarily applies pressure to lips and tongue.
Very mild bit; can be too
thick for some horse’s mouths; few sizes.
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Butterfly (or Post) Bits
Have both “snaffle” and “curb” settings for the rein. Applies a bit of poll pressure through the purchase, and chin pressure through the curb chain when used on the curb setting. Two loop style Butterfly doesn’t generally hang down past the horse’s mouth as the Liverpool may. Many people do not like using a Butterfly bit with a vehicle with straight shafts, as the loop may get caught on the shaft if the horse turns his head. The mini bit Butterfly cheeks are scaled down enough that this is less likely, but the horse bit cheeks are generally a larger loop. For this reason, we don’t stock Butterfly bits in Horse sizes. Here are some typical mouthpieces:
Mullen Butterfly
Arch Butterfly
Port Butterfly
Conrad Butterfly
French Link Butterfly
Mouthpiece arches forward; Snaffle setting – pressure to
lips; Curb setting mouthpiece
rotates into tongue.
Mouthpiece arches up; Allows more room for the tongue in both the snaffle
and curb settings.
Allows the tongue to fill the port; can make it harder for the horse to lift it off the bars;
can bump a low palate.
Allows much room for the tongue; can bump a low
palate.
Snaffle does not squeeze tongue as much as the Single Jointed Butterfly Curb can affect every
pressure point, but less likely to affect palate.
Mild in snaffle setting; Curb setting not as good for horses who don’t like tongue pressure.
Doesn’t rotate into the horse’s tongue on the
curb setting. Encourages roundness. A higher port may act on the palate, encouraging the horse to drop his head. Thick mouthed horses seem to like this bit. See note about port above. Encourages straightness.
Strong action in curb setting. Good bit for those drivers who want a traditional driving cheek, but only use the
snaffle rein.
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Liverpool Bits
Multiple rein settings from snaffle to severe leverage on the third slot (on a Three-Slot Liverpool). Applies a bit of poll pressure through the purchase, and chin pressure through the curb chain when used in any of the curb settings. The lower the rein setting, the more the curb chain will create squeezing action on the jaw and tongue. Loose cheek bits have a more independent action than fixed cheek bits (see below). Here are some typical mouthpieces.
Plain Cheek works like a snaffle Rough Cheek light curb leverage First Slot moderate curb leverage Second Slot medium curb leverage
· Third Slot (not shown) “Suicide Slot” if you have to use this slot to drive
the horse, he should be retrained.
Mullen Liverpool
Arch Liverpool
Bowman Victory Liverpool
Mouthpiece arches forward; Snaffle setting – pressure to
lips Curb setting mouthpiece
rotates into tongue
Mouthpiece arches up; Allows more room for the tongue in both the snaffle and
curb settings. 45-degree hybrid of Mullen and Arch mouthpieces that
arches forward and up, creating much room for the
tongue.
Mild in snaffle setting; Mouthpiece will rotate more with a lower rein
setting.
Doesn’t rotate into the horse’s tongue on the
curb setting. Encourages roundness.
Thick mouthed horses seem to like this bit. See
graphic on last page.
Conrad (Square Port)
Liverpool
Allows much room for the tongue; can bump a low
palate
Thick mouthed horses seem to like this bit. Helps develop straightness.
Single Jointed Liverpool
French Link Liverpool
Snaffle works off corners of mouth, squeezes tongue
Curb can affect every pressure point on horse’s
head.
Snaffle does not squeeze tongue as much as the Single
Jointed Liverpool
Curb can affect every pressure point, but less likely
to affect palate.
Very strong bit in the curb setting.
Strong action in curb setting. Good bit for those drivers who want a traditional driving cheek, but only use the
snaffle rein.
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www.ivccarriage.com · info@ivccarriage.com
© IVC Carriage
Selecting a Driving Horse Bit
If you haven’t already, see our article “I Need a New Bit” for considerations about your horse before selecting a bit.
First of all, bits do not stop horses, horses’ brains stop horses. The bit is a communication device which can be effective or ineffective in transmitting information to the horse depending on the driver’s hands (see our article “Let Go!”). The best bitting techniques involve selecting the most comfortable bit to enhance the communication with the horse. If the horse is comfortable, the communication will not be hampered by pain.
Generally, thick mouthed horses seem to prefer solid mouthpieces with room for the tongue. Thinner lipped horses don’t seem to mind multi-jointed bits as much. Very few horses prefer the Single Jointed Snaffle, as it pinches the lips and tongue between the bit and teeth, and can also bump the horse in the palate. A three-piece snaffle distributes tongue pressure and lays across the horse’s tongue more smoothly.
The Bowman Victory bit (right) arches forward and up, creating a lot of room for the tongue and conforming better to the horse’s mouth. Many horses really seem to like this bit. Because of the tongue room, the horse cannot lift the mouthpiece off the bars of the mouth as easily, so the bars may be affected more. As with any bit, care should be taken not to use the bit harshly.
Fixed Cheek Liverpool bits
Although fixed cheek Liverpool bits can be used on a single horse, they are generally used on horses in a multiple configuration, such as a pair or four-in-hand, as the coupling rein can’t rotate the cheek into the horse’s face. Some are equipped with a bottom bar on the bit (shown) which helps keep the bit from catching the rein of a neighboring horse in the hitch.
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Documents / Resources
 | IVC Carriage Driving Bits [pdf] User Guide Driving Bits, Driving, Bits |