A horse bit , in combination with reins, plays a fundamental role in determining the direction of travel. Placed in the animal's mouth, it should be comfortable for the horse, while also providing it with complete safety. In our offer you will find bits adapted to different anatomical features of horses, but also different temperaments. All products are made of durable materials, guaranteeing many years of use.

It is worth remembering that choosing the right bit is the basis for successful training, and above all, the comfort and safety of the horse. A specific model should be adapted to, among other things, the animal's character, its age, and the individual preferences of the rider.

A bit that is adapted, both in terms of construction and material from which it is made, will be eagerly chewed by the horse, and thus control over the mount will be much easier and more precise. And ordering them on our website takes only a moment.

What material should I buy a bit from?

If you are looking for a perfectly fitting bit – we invite you to familiarize yourself with the details of our offer. We will be happy to help you choose a bit that will provide comfort and safety for your animal. Simply contact us via our website and Balotade specialists will recommend the best product and help you place your order.

We have a variety of bits made from different materials. All bits can be seen with your own eyes when you visit our stationary store. We have all models in-house, they do not have to be made to order.

Which bit is the most delicate?

A horse bit is one of the most important elements of a bridle, allowing you to control your animal. In order to properly fulfill its function, it should be comfortable for your horse. Some horses have difficulty tolerating a bit, which is why it is worth choosing the most delicate models, but which allow you to maintain full control over the animal. Which bit should you choose and which of the models available on the market will be the most delicate?

At the beginning it is worth mentioning that bits are made of several connected links. They are placed in the horse's mouth, in the so-called toothless edge of the lower jaw. The bit affects, among other things, the tongue and palate, allowing you to steer the animal and, above all, determine the direction of travel. In addition to the difference in the construction of bits, individual models also differ in size.

Types of bits on offer.

Let's start with the basics, which is how bits are differentiated. The types of bits you'll find on the market include straight and jointed. The first ones are usually designed for more experienced riders, mainly because of the pressure this type of bit exerts. Jointed bits, on the other hand, come in a number of varieties – they can be single or double jointed, and are often equipped with an additional toy to encourage chewing.

You can't forget about the sizes of bits either. They differ significantly, affecting the comfort of the animal. In this case, the anatomical features of the horse play a huge role, but the general rule is that single-jointed bits should be 1 cm wider than the muzzle, while double-jointed bits should be half a centimeter wider. This will prevent the bits from pinching the corners of the muzzle.

How to choose a bit for your horse?

If you are wondering how to choose the right type of bit for your horse, first consider the sport you are doing and the temperament of your horse. These are the two main variables that determine the choice of a specific bit. Your riding skills are also equally important. It is also worth observing the animal's behaviour when the bridle is being put on, as failure to accept the bit may be related to dental problems.

It is worth paying great attention when choosing a bit for a young horse. In this case, one of the best solutions that allows the animal to get used to the presence of a bit is the rubber version - simple. This is the most delicate model, which is also used for horses with sensitive mouths. However, if you are not sure about the type of bit, it is worth using the advice of specialists who will choose the optimal model.

Choosing the right bit not only provides precise control of the animal, but above all comfort for the horse. It is worth devoting a little more attention to this topic, especially if the mount has difficulty tolerating the bit. In such a case, a good solution is to choose delicate models that do not cause discomfort.

Which bit is best for your horse?

The type of bit we should choose for our horse depends on many factors, such as the temperament of the horse we are training with, the discipline we practice or our own riding skills. A poorly chosen bit, just like a poorly chosen saddle ( here you can learn more about choosing the right saddle) can cause discomfort, pain or even lead to injuries in the horse.

The general rule seems simple - we should use the mildest bit that will give us the greatest control over the mount and help us achieve the intended training effect. But what does this mean in practice?

The vast array of options available today when it comes to bits and snaffles allows us to select the perfect “key” that will help us communicate with our mount.

On the other hand, such a large selection can be overwhelming if we don't know how to go about it and what to pay attention to.

Sometimes even the same horse needs more than one bit , depending on the circumstances (each of us knows a horse that changes beyond recognition when emotions take over, for example, while riding a show jumping course at a competition).

Before you choose a new bit.

Although it may seem obvious, it doesn't hurt to remind you that if your horse shows any worrying signs when being bridled and has trouble accepting the bit, the first thing you should do is visit a dentist.

A true professional, after examining your horse's mouth and teeth, should be able to give you a lot of useful information about the type and size of bit that will be the most comfortable option.

How to choose the right size bit.

Before choosing a bit type, first make sure what size will be right for your horse.

A bit that is too small will "pinch" the sensitive skin in the corners of the horse's mouth, which can cause abrasions, while a bit that is too large will shift too easily and even hit the horse's teeth.

If you are buying another horse bit for the same mount (and you know for sure that the previous one was well-matched) then it is simple. Just measure the old bit. Remember that only the mouthpiece is measured, without the rings. However, if you do not have this option, you can measure the horse's muzzle using a string.

Tie a knot on one end and insert the string into the horse's mouth (like a bit) so that the knot touches the mouth on one side. Mark the place where the string comes out of the horse's mouth on the other side with a pen or tape. Now measure from the knot to the marked place and add about 1 cm. - this is the size of the bit for your horse.

How thick should a bit be?

When it comes to bit thickness, the thinner the bit, the more your horse will feel the reins. Following this logic, thicker bits tend to be more gentle.

It is important not to exaggerate with the thickness - it must fit freely in the interdental space.

This option will work well with younger or very sensitive horses, for whom the decisive action of a thin bit may be too sharp. If you are starting work with a young horse, a thicker, olive bit is a good option, which, thanks to its structure, fits gently in the corners of the mouth and prevents chafing.

The difference between bit breaks and their action.

There are basically three basic types of bits when it comes to joints - straight bits , single-jointed bits and double-jointed bits .

What role do rings play in the bit?

Another thing worth paying attention to is the rings and how the bit connects to the reins. This largely determines its operation. Depending on how we attach the bridle and reins, the bit can have a different method and strength of operation.

The material from which the bit is made.

The most popular material from which horse bits are made is stainless steel . This material is durable, rust-resistant and its taste is rather neutral for mounts, most of which have no problems accepting it.

Some bits also have a coating of soft but durable materials such as rubber, nylon or plastic. This is a good solution for horses that do not react well to the cold touch of metal in the mouth. The coating of the bit can be flavored (e.g. apple), which is supposed to encourage the horse to chew the bit harder and salivate. However, if your horse chews the bit very hard on his own, the coated bit can quickly wear out or become deformed.

A very good alternative here are blue steel bits, which have been available for a relatively short time. In contact with the horse's saliva, the so-called sweet rust. Most horses like this sweet taste and start chewing the bit harder. Don't worry if your bit changes color during use - this is a natural effect. Such horse bits are much more resistant to wear than coated bits.