The Mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is the more important part of a bit, as it controls the severity of the bit. Thinner mouthpieces are more severe, as are those that are rougher.

Jointed mouthpiece: applies pressure to the tongue, lips, and bars with a "nutcracker" action. This is the most common mouthpiece found on a snaffle. But, curb bits can also have this mouthpiece.  Just because a bit has this mouthpiece does not make it a snaffle.

        

  

 

Mullen mouth: made of hard rubber or a half-moon of metal, it places even pressure on the mouthpiece, lips, and bars. It is a very mild mouthpiece.

 

 

French mouth: a double-jointed mouthpiece with a bone-shaped link in the middle. It reduces the nutcracker action and encourages the horse to relax. Very mild.

 

    

 

 

Dr. Bristol: a double-jointed mouthpiece with a flat rectangular link in the middle. Applies pressure similarly to the French link, although slightly more severe.

    

 

 

 

 

Slow twist: a single-jointed mouthpiece with a slight twist in it. Stronger and more severe.

 

 

Corkscrew: Many small edges amplifies the pressure on the mouth. Severe.

 

Single- and Double-twisted wire: two of the most severe mouthpieces, as they are not only thin, but they also have a "nutcracker" action from the single joint and the mouthpiece concentrates pressure due to its severe twisting.

 

Roller mouthpieces: tend to make a horse relax their mouth and activate the tongue, encouraging salivation &acceptance of the bit.

  

 

Hollow mouth: usually single-jointed with a thick, hollow mouthpiece which spreads out the pressure and makes the bit less severe. May not fit comfortably in some horses' mouths if they are a little small.