Horse Bits
Our horse bits combine tradition and performance, giving you control and communication every time you ride. From training colts to competing in the arena, these western horse bits are built for both durability and feel, making them a must-have piece of cowboy tack.
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Western Horse Bits for Every Stage of Training
The Metalab Stainless Steel Dee Ring Snaffle is a simple direct horse bit suited for younger horses. The Professional's Choice 900 Series Rope Gag Square Bar Lifesaver Snaffle at and the Brittany Pozzi Medium Lifter Smooth Lifesaver Bit are both built for barrel horses.
The Professional's Choice Laramie range covers medium port, floating spoon, and solid spoon styles with each mouthpiece designed to apply pressure differently depending on the horse's level of training.
For finished horses in the show pen, the Les Vogt Cow Horse 2" Flat Port Roller at, the Dutton Cavalry Cheek Low Port and the Tom Balding Long Advantage Correction Bit are the premium options.
Shop more: Horse Cinch | Roping Reins | Horse Headstalls | Kerry Kelley Bits
Choosing the Right Horse Bit
Choosing the wrong bit for the horse's stage of training creates resistance, not communication.
A snaffle bit applies direct pressure. When you pull the left rein, the left side of the horse's mouth feels it directly. This makes a snaffle the right choice for horses still learning to respond to rein pressure.
A curb bit applies pressure; the shank amplifies the pressure through the poll, chin groove, and mouth simultaneously. This makes them the right choice for horses that already understand rein pressure.
A correction bit like the Tom Balding Long Advantage or the Short S Correction Port is for horses that are fully finished but need more refinement in their response.
Sweet Iron and Stainless Steel
Most bits here are made from stainless steel which is durable, easy to clean and doesn't rust. Sweet iron, used in the Reinsman Freter Butterfly Curb Bit, rusts slightly when exposed to moisture. The rust gives the bit a mild sweet taste that encourages the horse to salivate, keeping the mouth soft and responsive. A dry mouth creates a horse that braces against the bit. Sweet iron bits require more maintenance than stainless but are a preferred choice for riders who want a softer, more relaxed response.
FAQ
What is the difference between a snaffle bit and a curb bit?
A snaffle bit works on direct pressure with no leverage while a curb bit uses a shank to create leverage, applying pressure to the poll, chin groove, and mouth at the same time.
What does port height mean on a horse bit?
The port is the upward curve in the center of the mouthpiece. A low port applies more pressure to the tongue and less to the bars while a higher port shifts more pressure to the roof of the mouth and the bars.
What is a correction bit used for?
A correction bit is used on fully trained horses to refine their response to rein pressure. The twisted or slow twist mouthpiece creates more surface contact than a smooth mouthpiece, giving the rider more precise communication without increasing leverage.
What is the difference between a bit and a hackamore?
A bit works through the horse's mouth using a mouthpiece while a hackamore works on the horse's nose, chin, and poll without any contact with the mouth. Hackamores are commonly used on horses with mouth sensitivity or those being transitioned between stages of training.