There are basically only two kinds of bits — the snaffle (with no shanks) and the curb (with shanks). Plus, there’s the Pelham, which combines a snaffle and curb, but ...

Bits come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, styles and designs, and what suits one horse won’t work as well for another. With ...

Horse dentition has uniquely allowed for bits — they have a space between their canines and cheek teeth where a bit can rest on the gums, known as the “bars” of the mouth.

Martyn Welsh, bitting expert at Equiport, says: “Strong horses seem to accept the Waterford rather than a Pelham or curb-type bit as its action is broken when the horse goes to set its jaw.

-Lac erated, torn, bruised, and paralyzed tongues, lips, bars, enlarged submaxillary bones (chins) come from the use of that cruel abomination, the present cavalry bit and curb.