A bit for horses is an integral part of horse training. A horse training bit is put inside a horse's mouth and rests between the teeth. It can be made from metal or a synthetic material, and is attached to the bridle and reins to give a rider control of the animal. Horse bit manufacturers offer a wide variety of horse bits for training and control, and for different breeds.

Horse bits pricing and costs are determined by many factors. Bits must be carefully chosen by the rider to get the best performance from the horse during training, riding or competition. The factors that determine price include:

1. The types of horse bits, whether for training or riding.

2. The material the bit is made from.

3. Whether the bits are standard or custom horse bits.

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Find a horse training bit for training activities

When training a new horse, riders must decide which type of training bit to use when practicing riding or other activities. A typical training bit puts pressure on the tongue and bars but does not press on the horse's palate. More specialized training bits for competition do put pressure on the palate for more control. Snaffle bits, which are used for basic training, start at $30. Curb bits, which trainers used to refine a horse's response, run upwards of $60.

I recommend: Leather and Nylon Western Tack & Saddles provides a range of training bits for horses from a variety of different brands. HorseTrainingVideos.com has a guide to choosing a bit for your needs, and also sells snaffle and curb bits.

Consider different materials from horse bit makers

Most horse bits are made of some type of metal, which keeps the horse's mouth wet and responsive to subtle direction. Stainless steel bits start at around $12, because stainless steel is cheap and the bits are easy to mass produce. However, horses do not find them very tasty. If they are not allergic, many prefer copper and nickel alloys, although these bits do break under too much pressure. A simple nickel snaffle bit starts at around $40. There are also bits made from sweet iron, which is designed to rust in a way the horse will enjoy. A sweet iron snaffle bit starts at around $16.

I recommend: EHorseEquipment.com offers a wide range of metal bits for competition and training. There are also bits made from leather, rubber and other synthetics. Leather bits cost $35 to $40. Dover Saddlery sells a type of leather horse bit designed to control the animal.

Explore custom horse bits for your particular needs

Standard horse bits come in many sizes and shapes for almost every purpose, but some riders still need a customized bit for certain horses. Custom horse bits work can better control certain horses that may be unresponsive or fussy. Some custom bits are much more expensive than most standard bits, beginning at $150. Simple customizations can be very affordable, however, with some starting at less than $50.

I recommend: Grissom Bits offers a full line of custom horse bits tailored to a rider's specifications. Most of their custom bits are sold for about $40. Sara Shalda Performance Horses offers custom made horse bits for larger draft horses ranging in price from $150 to $250.

There are many different types of horse bits available from tack suppliers. There are two basic types, leverage and non-leverage. Leverage attaches to a shank or cheek piece, such as a curbed bit. Non-leverage attaches to a mouthpiece, such as a snaffle bit.

When choosing a horse training bit, you must consider the experience of your horses. New horses need time to get used to a bit in their mouth, so it's not always best to start with a severe bit. Gaited horses benefit from a double bridle that uses a combination of snaffle and curbed bits. There are a few things you should remember when shopping for a horse bit.

1. A curb horse bit has a pressure ratio of three to one. These bits are best used for braking a horse, rather than direction, due to their severity.

2. A straight bit puts pressure on the tongue and less on the bars, while a curbed bit increases the pressure mostly on the bars.

3. Specialty tack suppliers can make custom horse bits with adjustable widths. These suppliers also have the best information on horse bit manufacturers and products, so request recommendations from knowledgeable suppliers.

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Pick the best horse bits based on your horses use

Your horse bit needs will change depending on the desired use of your horses. If you're using your horses for ranch work, you want a bit for horses that delivers enough pressure that it keeps your horse going in the right direction. For horses who give trail rides to visitors, you want a gentle bit that won't hurt the horse when the reins are in the hands of inexperienced riders.

I recommend: Pick a gaited horse bit from the huge selection offered by the National Bridle Shop, Inc. There's an extensive collection of horse bits for a variety of horse needs at Dover Saddlery, Inc.

Shop for custom horse bits based on style or bit construction

Some bit design adds style to your horse and gives your horse tack more personality. There are English and western horse bits. There are also customized bits that include adjustable pieces or interchangeable bit parts. The mouthpieces of horse bits differ greatly, too, and you may want a gentle mouthpiece or a mouthpiece that applies more pressure.

I recommend: NAG's Tack & Western has a selection of horse bits, including snaffle, a walking horse bit and training bit. Both Tack Traders and Chick Harness & Supply, Inc. have handsome western bits available.

Consider the comfort and safety of your horse when shopping for horse bits

Information on horse bits varies when it comes to the cruelty of certain bits. It's important that you always consider the comfort of your horse when using a bit. Horse bit makers are conscious of the horse owner's need for safe, comfortable bits, and many have manufactured more humane horse bits.

I recommend: Look at the selection of humane bits created by American Bridle Bit. Check out the new Pee Wee Bit, created with the horse's comfort in mind.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The wrong horse bit can cause a myriad of problems, affecting both you, your horse and your horse business. If you pick the wrong bit, your horse can avoid the bit, run through the bit, experience dry mouth or over chew the bit. Make sure any bit you choose isn't too thin, or it causes painful pressure in the horse's mouth.

A horse bit is a critical point of contact between the horse and the rider; the bit should provide direction for the horse from the rider without hindering the equine. Your level of skill and the method by which your horse has been trained helps you assess your horse training bit needs.

When purchasing horse bits, it's important to consider the bit's width. The mouthpiece shouldn't be too thin. If it is, there is excess pressure created on the bars. You also need to do some research to determine which type of horse bit makers create the best bit for horses. Consider the following when investigating horse bits types and styles:

1. Locate a gaited horse bit for optimal results.

2. Consider using custom horse bits if you cannot find a perfect match otherwise.

3. Purchase Western horse bits after your horse has received quality training.

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Buy a gaited horse bit to begin training

Gaited horses are those that are easy to ride and tend to be easier to train. Specifically purchasing a gaited horse bit can benefit you and the horse by providing a smooth transition. It's best to use a snaffle when beginning basic training and a curb for a finished horse.

I recommend: National Bridle Shop sells a wide array of gaited horse bits, including the snaffle, curb, bit accessories and driving bits. BuyTack.com sells a huge selection of horse bits, including snaffles and curbs.

Locate custom horse bits that match your equine's specifications

There may come a time when you need specific measurements for your horse's bit and find that regular bits don't fit correctly. Either the bits are too large and fall out or they're too small and pinch the horse's mouth. By contacting a custom horse bit manufacturer, you can be assured of receiving the best match.

I recommend: Grissom Bits prides itself on manufacturing all of its horse bits by hand. You can purchase custom bits through its website once you gather the specifications you need. Shobitz Company prides itself as one of the top custom horse bit manufacturers. Check out its selection to see if it would be an ideal match for you.

Consider purchasing Western horse bits

There is a multitude of horse bits information available, including information about the different types of Western bits to select. Used mainly while riding Western style, these types of bits oftentimes encourage a horse to bow its head and flex at the poll. Along the same lines as a gaited horse bit, Western snaffles are used for initial training, while curb bits are designed for a higher level of training.

I recommend: Jeffers offers a wide selection of Western bits, some of which are snaffle or chain bits. Horse Tack Co. sells some top-name bits from manufacturers all over the country. For its Western bit selection, choose among curb and snaffle bits.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you own miniature horses, then you need to purchase specific types of horse bits. Some manufacturers sell bits made specifically for miniature horses; you cannot place a full-size bit into the mouth of a smaller horse.

Horse bits are an essential piece of equipment for riders, whether they are riding horses for pleasure or for competition. There is a wide range of horse bits, but most bits fall into two categories: the snaffle and the curb bit. Horses begin on a non-leverage snaffle bit for adjustment and training. For better control and leverage, a rider can switch to a curb bit. Curb bits can range in severity for different types of control, but it is important to work with the comfort level of the horse when choosing a bit.

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D-ring snaffle

The D-ring snaffle is a type of training bit that provides the best control for training young horses. The bit is made from iron with copper inlays to help salivation.

I recommend: Natural Horseman Supplies provides additional information on the D-ring snaffle bit.

Loose-ring snaffle

The loose-ring snaffle is another type of training bit that provides a mouthpiece attached to a full ring. This allows the bit to lay naturally in position no matter what type of horse is using it.

I recommend: The Ultimate Horse Site provides an overview of snaffle and curb bits, including the loose-ring snaffle. The overview also provides information on when to use each type of bit.

Eggbutt snaffle

The eggbutt snaffle is the gentlest type of snaffle for horses. This type of bit has an egg-shaped connection between the bit-ring and the mouthpiece. The eggbutt snaffle is designed not to pinch the corners of the horse's mouth.

I recommend: Natural Horse Supply provides an overview of the most common training bits used including the eggbutt snaffle.

Western curb bit

A western curb bit provides a ported mouthpiece that is gentle for a horse and offers a loose rein for the riders.

I recommend: Horse Channel provides information on how a rider can graduate their western horse froa snaffle bit to a western curb bit for better control when riding.

English curb bit

An English curb bit is relatively shorter than a western bit and provides a range of choices in severity. These bits are often used with a double bridle for dressage competition.

I recommend: Horse Smarts provides information on many types of English curb bits, including the Pelham bit.

Gag bit

A gag bit is a specialized type of horse bit that is used with a gag bridle. This bridle provides the rider with better leverage and stronger control of the horse.

I recommend: Equisearch provides information on how to correctly fit a horse for a gag bit.