Why do we get a saddler for saddles, but hardly anyone gets a bit person to check their horse’s bit? It’s a pretty essential bit of tack!
It’s fascinating to observe the significant investment of time and resources dedicated to ensuring a properly fitted saddle, especially when contrasted with the relatively little attention given to finding the right bit for your horse—particularly if your horse has a “fussy mouth”!
While saddle fit remains paramount, the importance of selecting the correct bit for a successful riding experience cannot be overstated.
Beyond the rider’s legs and seat, the horse’s bit serves as the primary means of communication, steering, and control. As manufacturers of custom horse bridles, we are deeply invested in the selection of horse bits that compliment our products, especially where the horse has sensitivity issues around the mouth area. After all, a bridle’s efficacy is closely tied to the quality of the bit it employs.
In our quest to provide optimal solutions for both bridle and bit, we want to share with you our recommendations on the top ten best bits for horses with fussy mouths, ensuring both safety and comfort in your equestrian endeavors. We have broken our recommendations into overall best bits for horses with fussy mouths, best bits for sensitive tongues, best bits for horses with sensitive bars, best bits for horses with crowded mouths and finally best soft bit. So without further ado, lets get straight into it!
With its unique patented double-jointed 45-degree angle center link or lozenge, the Sprenger KK Ultra Eggbutt bit is specifically designed for horses with fussy mouths.
Overall, the Sprenger KK Ultra Eggbutt bit is a well-designed, high-quality bit that promotes comfort and effective communication, making it a popular choice, especially for horses with fussy mouths.
Another specially designed bit for sensitive horses with fussy mouths is the innovative Sprenger Novocontact Eggbutt bit. Novocontact bits are shaped to provide a larger contact surface on the horse’s tongue, ensuring soft and even pressure distribution. This design enhances the rider’s control and the horse’s comfort.
The Sprenger Novocontact Eggbutt bit with D-shaped rings is favored by both amateur and professional riders, particularly in disciplines that require precise communication and a gentle approach. Its design is especially beneficial for horses that are sensitive or have experienced discomfort with traditional bits.
Tests have shown that single-jointed Novocontact bits are highly recommended for horses that do not take contact confidently. They also provide added benefits for horses with sensitive mouths, allowing the rider to give precise but soft aids.
The Sprenger Turnado Eggbutt bit features an innovative design where the joint is tilted forward by 45 degrees. This unique adjustment ensures even pressure distribution across the horse’s tongue, helpful if your horse’s tongue is sensitive. The bit also avoids palatal pressure, a common issue with conventional single-jointed bits.
Traditional bits often exert more pressure on one side due to the differing lengths of the bit shanks, but the Turnado bit mitigates this problem by providing an equal contact surface on both sides. The middle area of the mouthpiece is sandblasted, which not only identifies the unique angled joint but also adds a slight texture to the bit, stimulating saliva flow and encouraging the horse to chew.
The side pieces of the bit are gentle on the sensitive corners of the mouth and offer slight lateral limitation for a stable and calm position in the horse’s mouth. The Sprenger Turnado Eggbutt bit is a versatile and effective everyday bit suitable for a wide range of applications, including those with sensitive tongues. Its innovative joint design helps counteract natural asymmetry in horses, ensuring even pressure distribution and enhancing comfort.
The Drop Cheek has an Eggbutt like ring at the mouthpiece for the rein, with an upper cheek that has a ring at its end, to which the cheek piece of the bridle is attached. TThe mouthpiece on this bit by Bomber does not slide on its ring resulting in light poll pressure. The cheekpieces lie flat against the horse’s face, and the mouthpiece is quite fixed in the mouth and concentrates pressure on the bars. The Lock Up snaffle removes the nut cracker action of the conventional snaffle, meaning no pinch and less pressure on the bars.
The Bombers Drop Cheek Lock Up bit is well-regarded for its innovative design, which enhances both rider control and horse comfort, making it a popular choice among riders who have a horse with a more sensitive tongue and mouth, looking for an effective and humane bit. It is suitable for a wide range of horses, especially those that are sensitive to traditional single-jointed bits or require more precise control.
The Loose Ring Bit allows for immediate release and relief from tongue and bar pressure. The bit is immediately reset to a neutral position in the horse’s mouth. The Ultra-Comfy shape is such that it follows the contour of the horse’s tongue. The centre elliptical joints have been double-locked to ensure that the angle over the tongue remains correct, even when the reins are taken up, it retains the individual lateral aids.
The Ultra Comfy Lock Up bit has been designed to suit very sensitive mouthed horses, especially those with sensitive bars. As breeding has been producing finer and more sensitive horses, bomber have found the need to design softer and softer bits.
The Bomber 2.5 Ring Mullen Mouth offers exceptionally soft and evenly distributed pressure over and around the tongue and bar. Especially good for the horse that objects to metal or when you have tried every kind of bit without luck.
The bit’s flexibility allows the rider to adjust the bit’s action to meet both the horse’s needs and the rider’s preferences. The moulded material is softer than traditional metal bits, which reduces the risk of discomfort and encourages the horse to accept the bit more readily. Additionally, the moulded design helps minimize pressure points, significantly enhancing overall comfort for the horse.
The Sprenger CM Mullen Mouth snaffle is designed to relieve pressure on the middle of the horse’s tongue, only exerting pressure when the reins are pulled. This makes it ideal for sensitive horses or those with a larger fleshy tongues, providing comfort while maintaining control. The unique shape of the bit helps to avoid steady pressure on the tongue, unlike straight Mullen Mouth bits, and only applies pressure with stronger rein aids, offering a balanced response.
This bit is particularly suitable for horses that resist the rider’s hand or tend to pull. It is also effective for larger fleshy tongues and correcting tongue vices in horses that find tongue pressure uncomfortable and react by pulling up or sticking out their tongues. The design ensures that the middle of the tongue is relieved, promoting better acceptance and reducing resistance.
The Sprenger Dynamic RS Eggbutt bit with D-shaped rings is designed for a seamless fit and effective communication between horse and rider. Ergonomically crafted, the joints of this bit are angled forward by 45 degrees, ensuring an even distribution of pressure. This design makes the bit anatomically correct between the tongue and palate, allowing for effective aids while being gentle on the horse’s mouth. It is particularly suitable for sensitive horses and those with small mouths or very fleshy tongues.
The Dynamic Eggbutt bit provides direct pressure transmission on the tongue and lower jaw, lying steadily in the horse’s mouth and protecting the sensitive corners. The solid sides of the bit ensure that it applies pressure directly to the horse’s tongue and lower jaw, framing the horse slightly at the sides and keeping the bit quiet in the mouth. The innovative ergonomic shape, combined with the 45-degree angled core, fits perfectly between the tongue and palate.
The Eggbutt cheekpiece prevents pinching of the lips and gives a solid feel against the side of the face. It also prevents the bit from being pulled through the mouth. The release is slower than the loose ring and also introduces light poll pressure. The moulded mouthpiece has been uniquely shaped and flattened. It is angled at 45 degrees to offer an exceptionally soft and evenly distributed pressure over and around the tongue.
Ideal for horses with sensitive mouths, those that resist traditional metal bits, and riders looking for a comfortable and effective bit. The Bomber Eggbutt Moulded Mullen Mouth bit is praised for its thoughtful design and the comfort it offers, making it a popular choice for equestrians seeking a humane and effective bit solution.
![Nathe Mullen Mouth Loose Ring Snaffle](https://www.pinkequine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Nathe-Mullen-Mouth-Loose-Ring-Snaffle.jpg")
Bits with a flexible mouthpiece can be used for all horses but are especially suitable for young horses and horses with sensitive mouths. The Nathe Mullen Mouth is particularly mouth friendly as it takes the pressure off the sensitive center of the horse’s tongue. The large rings remain steadfast, preventing outward swinging during rides.
The bits framing mechanism facilitates smoother turns, gently guiding the horse’s movement. Simultaneously, the small ring secures the large one, preventing any slipping of the mouthpiece. The immediate and precise impact on the tongue is remarkable.
The Mullen mouth bit offers a level of comfort that will satisfy even the most sensitive horses. Made from high quality thermoplastic, they are not only anti-allergenic, but also temperature resistant and dimensionally stable.
I hope you enjoyed our article on the best bits for horses with fussy mouths. There are many bits available on the market, but we believe these ten options are particularly effective in addressing the common issues we discussed. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific needs in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ve recommended these brands because they are known for their superior design, materials, and horse-friendly innovations. To learn more about why we trust these brands, check out the information below. Thank you for reading, and we look forward to helping you find the perfect bit for your horse!
In our quest to find the best bits for horses with fussy mouths, we carefully selected products from three highly reputable brands: Sprenger, Bomber, and Nathe. These brands are known for their innovation, quality materials, and commitment to horse comfort and performance. Here’s a bit more about each brand:
A Legacy of Innovation and Quality:
Sprenger, founded in 1872, has a long history of producing high-quality equestrian products. Over the years, Sprenger has established itself as a leader in bit technology through its dedication to research and development. Their design process involves collaboration with veterinarians, riders, and engineers to create patented bits that are anatomically correct and enhance communication between horse and rider.
Materials and Technology:
Sprenger is known for using advanced materials like Sensogan, a patented alloy that promotes salivation and is gentle on the horse’s mouth. Their innovative designs, such as the patented 45-degree angled center link found in the KK Ultra bits, provide even pressure distribution and improve bit acceptance. Sprenger’s commitment to quality and innovation ensures that each bit is durable, effective, and comfortable for the horse.
Custom Solutions for Every Horse:
Bomber Bits, founded by Bomber Nel, is a company dedicated to creating bits that cater to the specific needs of individual horses. With over 30 years of experience, Bomber Bits has become known for its custom approach, allowing riders to select from various mouthpieces and cheekpieces to find the perfect fit for their horse.
Design and Materials:
Bomber’s design process focuses on understanding horse behavior and mouth anatomy. They use high-quality stainless steel and sweet iron in their bits, ensuring durability and promoting salivation. The company’s innovative designs, such as the Lock Up feature, prevent bit collapse and distribute pressure evenly, making their bits ideal for sensitive horses.
Gentle and Horse-Friendly Designs:
Nathe is renowned for its gentle approach to bit design, making it a preferred choice for horses with sensitive mouths. The brand focuses on using soft, flexible thermoplastic materials that are hypoallergenic and temperature-neutral, ensuring comfort in all conditions.
Innovative and Safe Materials:
Nathe bits are designed to provide even pressure distribution and encourage relaxation and acceptance. The Mullen Mouth Loose Ring Snaffle, for example, is known for its ability to reduce pressure points and provide a steady, comfortable fit. Nathe’s commitment to using non-metallic, food-safe materials makes their bits particularly suitable for horses prone to mouth injuries or discomfort with traditional bits.
Sprenger, Bomber, and Nathe each bring a unique approach to bit design, focusing on innovation, quality materials, and horse comfort. Whether through advanced alloys, customizable options, or gentle thermoplastic materials, these brands offer solutions that address the needs of horses with fussy mouths.
Pink Equine were founded in 2007 and are a manufacturer of custom horse tack, from bridles and browbands to headcollars, girths and martingales. What makes our range of horse tack unique is the wide range of choices available from the colours and patterns of Swarovski crystals to the coloured piping and stitching.
In fact all our horse bridles are customisable and we take pride in the fact that riders are able to mix and match bridle parts with different sizes. This ensures that every horse can have a bridle tailored to its unique needs and dimensions, promoting comfort, performance, and overall well-being. We hope you will take a bit of time to explore our site and view some of our unique horse tack designs, as well as the beautiful and technically proficient range of saddle pads and girths by E A Mattes.
We have also been working hard on our Pink Equine Blog, to bring you informative and interesting articles such as this one and are dedicated to building a vibrant and helpful community. So if you want to be notified of new articles with valuable tips and knowledge, then we recommend joining the Pink Equine club – it’s completely free! As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive competitions, stay informed with our newsletter, be the first to explore new ranges, and benefit from special discounts. Don’t wait any longer – join our community today and be part of the excitement!
The simple definition of a bit is a;
“Composition of metal or synthetic parts made up of the shanks, rings, cheek pads and a solid bar called a Mullen. The bit makes contact with the horse’s mouth and the bar (Mullen) sits in the horse’s mouth and aids communication between horse and rider.”
To provide a clearer explanation of how this works in practice, the mouthpiece or bar does not just sit anywhere in the horse’s mouth or on the teeth. It fits nicely in the mandibular interdental space, also known as the “bars” of the horse’s mouth, where there are no teeth, behind the front incisors and in front of the back molars, resting on the gums. If you place your finger carefully into a horse’s mouth you can feel the gap where the bit should rest.
The bit is connected to the cheekpieces and the reins via the rings on either side. The reins are held by the rider allowing them to communicate commands to the horse through the bit.
No one can say for sure when the first bit was invented, but they were likely to have been used thousands of years ago and made of rope, wood, and bone. Like a lot of historic inventions, the use of modern technology has meant that a bit is no longer just a bar. In fact, there are now hundreds of variations in various materials, to suit a plethora of riding styles and varying degrees of control.
Depending on the style, pressure can be applied in numerous ways, through the bit, on the tongue, the bars, the palate, or, the roof of the mouth, including the lips, and poll (the top of the horse’s head). Horse bits provide varying degrees of control and transmission from the rider to the horse.
I am not sure who coined the phrase “fussy mouth”, only that I have seen it used for years to describe a horse who exhibits a range of habits, from excessive bit chewing, not taking the bit contact, putting the tongue over the bit, learning to move the bit with their molars, pulling the tongue back or putting it out, to retracting the lips and excessive opening of the mouth. These are all signs that your horse is not happy with the bit and if you notice this happening first of all you need to determine the cause.
Unfortunately, there are a myriad of reasons a horse may be described as having a “fussy mouth” Here are a few of the common ones.
Although skeletal dimensions of a horse’s head are pretty consistent throughout the various horse and pony breeds, it is the fleshy parts of the face and the mouth confirmation that differ the most. For example, it is widely accepted that thoroughbreds have “easy” mouth confirmation, flatter tongues that lie neatly at the bottom of the mouth allowing plenty of room between the tongue and the horse’s palate.
Other breeds will have a smaller mouth but a thicker larger tongue and a lower palate and the bit may be consuming too much space with the tongue bulging through the bars. A horse with a thinner tongue will allow more pressure from the bar. Even if your horse doesn’t have issues with the bit, mouth confirmation will certainly dictate whether you use a thicker or thinner, larger or smaller mouthpiece.
Dental issues can be a very common issue, and happily, one that can be remedied by your equine vet or a specialist horse dentist. Dental issues can be anything from premolars, troublesome caps, and hidden wolf teeth that interfere with the bit, sharp edges caused by uneven teeth wear to inflammation of the mouth, or disease of the gums.
It is important to have your horse or ponies teeth checked on a regular basis so that you can rule out dental problems as the cause of “Fussy Issues”
Does your horse have any visible signs of lacerations or bruising in or around the mouth or bar area? If cuts or bruising are visible this could be caused by something your horse has eaten or picked up in his mouth, or even by the bit itself. If your horse has just started being fussy, this could be the cause. If this is the case the only cure is time, allowing the bruised area to rest and recover.
It may also be a totally unrelated problem. For instance, it is quite common for horses with back problems to have issues with the bit. If a horse has pain in the back, they are often unwilling to take contact with the bit and will do whatever is necessary to get out of a painful situation.
Just like a human may have a more sensitive part of the body, so each horse is unique and some horses have sensitive mouths or tongues. This could be caused by a previous injury or trauma with a previous bit. (thick fleshy tongues are prone to being more sensitive so if your horse has a thick tongue it may be something to watch out for).
Horses with sensitive tongues can develop tongue evasions, by sticking their tongues out, and putting their tongues over the bit or behind the bit.
Unfortunately, having a sensitive mouth or tongue is just one of those things, but the solution should match the underlying reason for the bit sensitivity for example a bit that does not put pressure on the tongue.
The problems causing your horse to be fussy may not be pain issues or problems with a particular bit, it may be a behavioral issue. What we mean by that, is your horse has learned behavior where it just associates the bridle and bit with a stressful situation.
In this case, the bit is not the problem and only time and patience will remedy the situation.
As we have learned, horses and ponies have different sizes and shaped mouths, and bits come in different widths and thickness sizes to accommodate this fact.
A poorly fitting bit can cause a horse to quickly become “fussy in the mouth”.
It is important to check that your bit is sitting high enough in the mouth. Too low and the bit will be touching a more sensitive bit of the tongue.
Check the length of your bit. A bit that is too short will press against the corners of the mouth and rub the skin. A bit that is too long will stick out of the sides of the mouth allowing the bit to slide from side to side causing friction on the bars (especially if you pull hard on one rein).
With all the talk about bits and horses’ mouths, as unlikely as it seems a poorly fitting bridle can also be the cause of “fussy issues”. Check to make sure that your bridle fits properly. Is the browband too tight pinching the ears? Are there any underlying areas of soreness where the bridle makes contact with the head or is the bridle pressing against pressure points, causing irritation or pain?
