Image: Wiki Commons via Alpha
About This Quiz
Chances are you know this already, but just in case you don't, a horse bit is a type of accessory that is used in certain equestrian activities. It rests near the horse's mouth (the area where there are no teeth) and is meant to provide negative reinforcement to the horse. Made out of a variety of materials, a horse bit helps mold a horse's behavior; when the rider pulls on the reins, the bit adds pressure to the horse's mouth. When the reins are pulled softly, less pressure is added.ÂÂ
While studies have shown that horses can become stressed and unpredictable when too much pressure is constantly added, soft, consistent pulling is acceptable. Horse bits have become very popular and just as necessary when dealing with horses. So, we want to know if you can recognize the different types that exist.ÂÂ
Some horse bits, like the mullen mouth, are more comfortable for the animal, while others like the Doc Bristol are said to be severe. Some bits that encourage salivation are easy for the horse to carry, while others are frowned upon. Can you tell the difference between the comfy and the cruel ones? Can you identify these horse bits if we show you a picture? ÂÂ
Youtube via Cindy Giovanetti
Which horse bit is this?
Abaco barb
Belgian link
Mullen mouth
This bit is a simple mouthpiece with a slight curvature so that it rests comfortably over the horse's tongue.
Hackney bit
Youtube via Working w Horses
Which mouthpiece is this?
Marsh tacky
Thick bit
Thick bit mouthpieces, which may be uncomfortable to some horses, are generally used to produce a softer action in the horse's mouth.
Cleveland bay
Morgan mouth
Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
Can you identify this bit?
Paint bit
Fjord mouthpiece
Pinto bit
Port
A port is an inverted "U" shape which is located in the center mouthpiece of some bits.
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Wiki Commons via Public Domain
What is this horse bit called?
Keys
Keys, which are also called a mouthing bit, are three keys which are located on a center ring in the mouthpiece.
Highland
Fell
Racking bit
Youtube via Kristen Cox
What do equestrians call this one?
Miniature mouthpiece
Mustang bit
Jointed bit
This type of mouthpiece, which is attached by a single joint in the middle, creates a V-shape when the reins are applied.
Pony mouthpiece
Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
Is this a rollers or a Dr. Bristol?
Roller
Rollers, which are sometimes found on bits with ports and spades, are used to slightly increase the severity of the bit.
Dr. Bristol
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Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
What is this mouthpiece called?
Quarter moon
Paint bit
Spade bit
This bit is characterized by straight, well-decorated shanks and a mouthpiece with a flat, rounded plate fixed above a narrow port.
Ranger bit
Youtube via BTG Horsemanship
What is this one named?
Hackney bit
Wire bit
Wire bit mouthpieces are thin, and place pressure on a small area of the bars of the mouth and lips, and on the tongue.
Abaco barb
Belgian link
Youtube via Mikmar Bit
Can you tell us the correct name of this horse bit?
Walking bit
Fjord mouthpiece
Morgan mouth
French link
French link mouthpieces are characterized by a flat peanut shape link in the middle which connects two other links.
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Wiki Commons via Horlicks
Is this a half-moon mouthpiece?
Yes
This bit is shaped for comfort and control, thus reducing tongue pressure and palate injury risk.
No
Youtube via Professional's Choice
Which horse bit is this?
Pinto bit
Mullen mouth
This type of mouthpiece is thought to be a gentler bit as compared to those with a jointed mouthpiece.
Fell
Marsh tacky
Youtube via Professional's Choice
Which mouthpiece is this?
Chain
Chain mouthpieces are made from regular chain, bicycle or chainsaw links, which makes it very uncomfortable for the horse.
Cleveland bay
Highland
Mustang bit
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Youtube via SmartPak
Can you identify this bit?
Quarter moon
Racking bit
Miniature mouthpiece
Roller
Rollers may be made of copper, stainless steel or an alternating pattern between the two. They are often seen on the full cheek snaffle.
Wiki Commons via Wolfgang Sauber
What is this horse bit called?
Paint bit
Ranger
Twisted mouthpiece
Twisted mouthpieces, which are similar to simple jointed snaffles, are characterized by a twist formed in the middle of the bit, which may be large or tight.
Pony mouthpiece
Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
What do equestrians call this one?
Abaco barb
Jointed mouthpiece
Mouthpieces with a single joint create a nutcracker effect on the bars of the mouth, on the lips and over the tongue.
Belgian link
Hackney bit
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Youtube via Riding Warehouse
Is this the Dr. Bristol or the port?
Dr. Bristol
This bit resembles the French link, but differs in that the link is longer and set at a slight angle.
Port
Youtube via Green Mountain Horse & Tack
What is this mouthpiece called?
Warmblood
Walking bit
Hollow mouthpiece
This mouthpiece is commonly used on many horses due to the comfort of the weight. It's bulkier in diameter, but hollow.
Morgan mouth
Youtube via Eventer
What is this one called?
Fell
Ball link
Like the name suggests, this mouthpiece features a small ball in the middle of the bit which sits directly on the horse's tongue.
Fjord mouthpiece
Pinto bit
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Youtube via ExpertVillage
Can you tell us the correct name of this horse bit?
Cleveland bay
Roller
Rollers are sometimes manufactured with copper in order to encourage salivation in the horse.
Marsh tacky
Quarter moon
Youtube via Marc Alt Photographer
Is this a spade bit?
Yes
A spade bit is considered to be a highly technical piece of equipment which represents the highest level of trust between a horse and rider.
No
Youtube via Trinity Appaloosa
Which horse bit is this?
Mustang bit
Highland bit
Wire bit
Wire bit mouthpieces usually come in three types: straight, jointed or double offset twists.
Paint bit
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Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
Which mouthpiece is this?
Thin bit mouthpiece
Thinner mouthpieces result in a more severe bit, due to the pressure placed on the bars of the mouth and a thin area of the tongue.
Abaco barb
Hackney bit
Miniature mouthpiece
Youtube via BTG Horsemanship
Can you identify this bit?
Belgian link
Racking bit
Cleveland bay
Mullen mouth
The mullen mouth bit, as compared to a straight mouthpiece, is slightly more comfortable for a horse to carry.
Wiki Commons via Public Domain
What is this horse bit called?
Pony mouthpiece
Morgan mouth
Ranger
Keys
Keys, which are used to introduce young horses to bits, are small elongated beads of metal attached to the mouthpiece.
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Youtube via Mikmar Bit
What do equestrians call this one?
Pinto bit
Fell
Fjord mouthpiece
French link
The French link is considered to be easier for a horse to carry and milder than a mullen mouth or single joint.
Wiki Commons via Dph0ghc
Is this a spade bit or a Dr. Bristol?
Spade bit
Dr. Bristol
This mouthpiece has a slight nutcracker action and is more severe than the mullen mouth or the French mouth.
Wiki Commons via fr:User:LardonCru
What is this mouthpiece called?
Chain bit
Like the wire bit mouthpiece, the chain mouthpiece is very severe and is considered to be very cruel.
Marsh tacky bit
Paint bit
Quarter moon bit
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Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
What is this one named?
Abaco barb
Mustang bit
Port bit
Ports may be very high or shallow and may have other additions which spin or rattle.
Morgan mouth
Wiki Commons via Eventer
Can you tell us the correct name of this horse bit?
Wire bit
Wire bit mouthpieces are very severe. Thus, they are frowned upon by many trainers.
Cleveland bay
Hackney bit
Highland bit
Youtube via Bernie Traurig
Is this a ball link mouthpiece?
Yes
This bit is slightly more severe than the French link, due to the pressure placed on the horse's tongue.
No
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Wiki Commons via Wolfgang Sauber
Which horse bit is this?
Twisted bit
This bit is slightly more severe than the French link, due to the pressure placed on the horse's tongue.
Belgian link
Miniature mouthpiece
Racking bit
Youtube via George Seeley
Which mouthpiece is this?
Pinto bit
Half moon
The half moon bit has a curve. This provides room for the tongue.
Fell
Pony mouthpiece
Wiki Commons via Public Domain
Can you identify this bit?
Warmblood
Fjord mouthpiece
Mullen mouth
Unlike a jointed mouthpiece, there is no nutcracker effect when the reins are pulled, making the mullenmouth bit gentler and more comfortable.
Walking bit
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Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
What is this horse bit called?
Abaco barb
Cleveland bay
Hackney bit
Jointed
A jointed mouthpiece has a nutcracker effect when the reins are pulled. This bit is less gentle than a mullen mouth bit.
Youtube via SmartPak
What do equestrians call this one?
Marsh tacky
Hollow mouthpiece
The hollow mouthpiece is lighter in weight than many bits which are made with a solid mouthpiece. This is more comfortable for the horse.
Quarter moon
Ranger
Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
Is this a spade bit or a mullen mouth bit?
Spade
This elaborate, complex bit can only be used by a skilled rider and a horse who have had at least five to seven years of training.
Mullen mouth
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Youtube via Bernie Traurig
What is this mouthpiece called?
Pinto bit
Paint bit
Mustang bit
Roller bit
Roller bits encourage the horse to salivate. Rollers are also prevent the horse from leaning too much on the bit mouthpiece.
Youtube via Mikmar Bit
What was this one named?
Morgan mouth
French link
The French link is a small flat piece in the center of the mouthpiece. It is flat and shaped like a peanut.
Highland
Miniature mouthpiece
Wiki Commons via MontanaBW
Can you tell us the correct name of this horse bit?
Fell
Abaco barb
Port
Ports, which are found on English, western and driving bridles, are generally used in more advanced riding. The port is shaped like an inverted U.
Belgian link
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You Got:
/40
Wiki Commons via Alpha