Horse Bits

About

A bit sits in your horse's mouth and turns your rein aids into clear signals. Most horses go happily in some form of snaffle — the variety comes from the cheekpiece (loose ring, eggbutt, D-ring, full cheek, hanging cheek) and the mouthpiece (single joint, lozenge, mullen, rubber or sweet iron). Just Horse Riders stocks over 600 bits, mainly from Shires' well-priced range, from around £9. Free UK delivery over £50 · Fast next-day delivery available · 90-day returns · Family-run UK retailer since 2010. Bitting advice from the Just Horse Riders team — last reviewed June 2026. In a hurry? For most horses, start with a lozenge (double-jointed) snaffle — an eggbutt for a steady contact or a loose ring for a horse that leans. Buy the same size as the current bit (measure the mouthpiece between the rings, in inches). If a bitting problem persists, get the teeth checked and ask a qualified instructor or bit fitter before going stronger. Which cheekpiece? Cheek What it does Loose ring Moves freely — discourages leaning and fixing Eggbutt Fixed and steady — a quiet, consistent contact D-ring / Full cheek Helps with steering — good for young or green horses Hanging cheek Sits quietly off the lips; suits sensitive mouths Gag / leverage cheeks Stronger brakes for fit horses — use with experienced hands Which mouthpiece? Mouthpiece Best for Lozenge (double joint) Most horses — spreads pressure evenly, no nutcracker action Single joint The classic snaffle feel; some horses prefer it Mullen / straight bar Very soft — horses that dislike movement in the mouth Rubber / flexible Gentle introduction and sensitive mouths Sweet iron / copper Encourages salivation and a softer mouth What size bit does my horse need? Measure your current bit's mouthpiece between the rings — bits are sized in inches (typically 4.5" pony to 6" heavy horse) in quarter-inch steps. Fitted, the bit should sit snugly with about a quarter of an inch showing each side, creating one soft wrinkle at the corners of the