Horse bits made for English riding are many and varied. However, they fall into only a three classes. the first is the snaffle bit. It has a nut cracker action. which means it will bear pressure on each side of the horses jaw called the bars and the tongue . Used properly it is quite mild. The second is the curb bit. This means that there is a curb strap added to the bit and there will be length of shank extending above and below the mouth piece. This will bring to bear leverage as the top or purchase is attached to the bridle. The bridle will in turn cause pressure to the poll of the horses head. The curb strap or chain also being attached to the purchase will apply pressure to the under side of the jaw. The reins being attached to the shank will activate the mouth piece applying pressure to the bars in the horses mouth. Then there is the Hackamore. which places pressure on the poll the jaw and nose. The hackamore does not have a mouth piece therefore no pressure is applied to the bars. There are variations to the above bits such as gag bits. However, all bits use pressure to one or more of four points on the horses head. The poll, the jaw and the bars and the nose. Learning how your horse reacts to pressure on these points is the secret to good horse training.
