Cheekpieces:

The cheekpiece is the outside part of the bit. These can have long shanks, a single ring, double reins, curb chains, etc.

O-Ring:

Eggbutt:

D Ring:

Offset D-Ring:

Baucher Bit (Hanging Cheek):

Half Cheek:

Full Cheek:

Fulmer Cheek:

Tom Thumb Snaffle:

Dexter Ring Snaffle Bit:

Triabit Ring:

Dr James Bit:

Springsteen Bit:

Braden Direct Bit:

Citation Bit:

Not a bit very commonly seen, and certainly very harsh. The Citation uses both mouth and facial pressure, as bitting expert Richard Brown from Abbey Saddlery in Cheshire explains.

“It has a reputation for being one of the most severe bits available,” he says.

“The action stems from the second very thin bit and the resulting nose and poll pressure. When the reins are used, the cheeks of the thin snaffle are pushed into the horse’s face, and the joint is forced up into the roof of the mouth. The more the bit pulls back in the mouth, the more pressure is applied to the nose and corners of the lips.”

Who uses it?

Still used in racing occasionally. Flat racing trainer Karen McLintock has used the Citation on an ongoing, strong horse, to good effect.

“I’ve only ever had one other horse strong enough to need a Citation,” she says.

“I’ve tried other options with Dunaskin to no avail, including much milder bits, but he’s very keen and strong. He needs consistency in his pace, as he can go too fast, and the Citation helps us to control the pace. It doesn’t tear his mouth, which has happened with other bits. He trains in it at home and races in a Dexter ring bit.”

Victor Bit:

Controller Bit:

Butterfly Racing Bit:

Lugging Bits (Regulator):

AC Lugging:

Brad Lugging:

Puller Spring Bit:

Captain Sandy:

Kimberwick:

Curbed Bits:

A “curb bit” and a “shank bit” are essentially the same thing, as a “shank” refers to the lever arm on a curb bit, meaning a curb bit is a type of bit with shanks, which allows for increased leverage when the reins are pulled, applying pressure to the horse’s mouth and poll; essentially, the term “curb bit” encompasses the concept of a bit with shanks, making them interchangeable in most contexts

References to a curb bit refer to a solid or broken mouthpiece

that has shanks and acts with leverage.

Straight Curb Cheek:

Western:

Pelham:

Weymouth:

Tom Thumb:

Long Shanks:

S Cheek:

7 Shank Cheek:

Calvary Shanks:

Barrel Racing:

Swivel Cheek:

Sliding Barrel Cheek:

Junior Cow Horse Bit:

Old Cowboy Bit:

Crescent Moon Bit:

Draw Gag Bit:

Dutch Gag Bit:

Loop Ring Gag Bit (Bevel):

Wonder Cheek:

Half Wonder Cheek:

Lifter Bit:

DM Lifter Bit:

Turbo DM Lifter Bit:

Tear Drop:

Argentine:

Banana Gag:

Futurity Bit:

Simplicity Bit:

Delight Bit:

Simplicity Bit II:

Goosetree Double Gag:

Grazing Curb:

Elevator Bit:

Driving Cheek:

Liverpool:

Buxton Bit:

Elbow Bit:

Butterfly Driving Cheek:

Gig Bit:

Horseshoe Bit:

Combination Bits:

Walking Horse Bit:

MacGregor Releasing Bit:

Ringed Walking Horse Bit:

Fused Walking Horse Bit:

Mexican Ring Bit (Dancing Bit):

Other Cheekpieces: