Understand Bit Fit: Choosing the Right Bit for More Control

When a horse becomes strong, the natural response is often to start looking for a stronger horse bit.

However, “stronger” does not describe one particular type of action.

A running gag, Dutch gag, elevator, Universal, Pelham and Kimblewick may all provide more control than an ordinary snaffle, but they do not apply pressure in the same places or in the same direction.

That difference is important.

A bit that helps one horse lift its shoulders and stop leaning may encourage another horse to shorten its neck and drop behind the contact. A curb-action bit that helps a high-headed horse soften may make a horse that already pulls downward feel even heavier.

Before choosing a bit for a strong horse, the most useful question is not:

“Which bit is strongest?”

It is:

“How does my horse become strong, and what type of bit action is most likely to address that particular problem?”

A bit should match the way the horse becomes strong

Horses can evade the rider’s aids in several very different ways.

A strong horse may:

Raise its head and run above the contact
Lower its head and pull the reins downward
Lean heavily into the rider’s hands
Snatch the reins forward
Set its jaw and neck and continue running
Curl behind the bit and become difficult to reach
Fall through one shoulder and ignore the turning aids
Become strong only when jumping, galloping or riding in company

All of these behaviours may feel like “pulling” to the rider, but they are not the same mechanical problem.

The rider may need:

A lifting influence
Greater flexion and leverage
More lateral control
A more stable mouthpiece
A more mobile mouthpiece
A quicker response to a light rein aid
More control that can be introduced only when required

This is why choosing a bit by popularity, appearance or perceived severity alone can easily create the opposite result from the one intended.

Start with the direction of the evasion

As a broad starting point:

What the horse tends to do	Type of action to investigate
Raises its head and runs above the hand	Carefully controlled curb or leverage action
Pulls the contact forward and downward	A genuine lifting or running-gag influence
Leans heavily and becomes low in front	Greater lift, mobility or interruption of the fixed contact
Grabs the mouthpiece and sets its jaw	A different mouthpiece or greater movement
Becomes anxious or busy in the mouth	A more stable, quieter cheek and mouthpiece
Falls through a shoulder	Greater lateral stability or guidance
Curls behind the contact	Less leverage and less downward or poll pressure
Becomes strong only during faster work	An adjustable bit offering a mild everyday setting

This is not a prescription. It is a way to identify the direction of the problem before deciding which bit action might help.

First understand direct snaffle action

A conventional snaffle is a direct-pressure bit.

The rein attaches to a ring positioned at approximately the same level as the mouthpiece. Rein pressure is therefore transferred directly to areas including the tongue, bars and corners of the mouth without the mechanical amplification created by a shank.

A snaffle is defined by its cheek and rein arrangement—not by whether its mouthpiece is jointed.

A loose-ring snaffle, eggbutt, D-ring or full-cheek bit may all have direct action, although they provide different amounts of movement, stability and lateral guidance.

This is worth remembering because a horse that feels strong does not always require leverage.

Sometimes the horse simply needs:

A mouthpiece that better suits its tongue and mouth shape
Greater stability at the corners of the mouth
More lateral support for turning
Less movement
More movement
A more comfortable bit width or thickness

Changing from one well-fitted snaffle design to another may resolve the problem without introducing a curb chain, shank or additional poll pressure.

What does a true running gag do?

The term “gag” is commonly used for several bits that do not actually work in the same way.

A true running gag uses specialised cheekpieces that pass through holes in the bit rings.

When the gag rein is applied, the mouthpiece moves upward at the corners of the horse’s mouth while pressure is also transferred through the cheekpieces towards the poll.

This upward movement at the mouth can help prevent the horse from taking the bit forward and downward.

A true running gag may therefore be considered for a horse that:

Leans heavily on the contact
Snatches the reins down
Pulls its head and neck forward
Becomes heavy through the shoulders
Takes control during faster work
Uses the rider’s hands as a point of balance

A running gag is generally at its most adjustable when used with two reins.

One rein provides the ordinary direct action, while the second introduces the gag action only when additional control is needed.

This allows the rider to spend most of the time using the milder rein rather than continuously riding from the stronger action.

Why a horse that pulls down may benefit from a lifting influence

Consider a horse that lowers its neck, takes hold of the mouthpiece and pulls the contact forward and downward.

The horse may be:

Leaning against the rider’s hands
Pulling the reins through the rider’s fingers
Dropping weight onto the forehand
Fixing through the jaw and base of the neck
Taking the shoulders forward without remaining balanced behind
Using the rein contact for support

The horse is not simply travelling too quickly. It has also changed the physical direction of the contact.

Placing this horse in a conventional curb-action bit does not automatically correct the problem.

Curb and poll pressure may encourage flexion through the jaw and poll. If the horse already wants to shorten its neck, become low in front or pull down, additional leverage may reinforce the posture the rider is trying to change.

The horse may appear lighter because it brings its head inward, but it may actually have moved behind the contact rather than becoming genuinely balanced.

A genuine lifting influence may instead interrupt the horse’s ability to take the bit down and forward. It may help the rider raise the front of the contact, rebalance the shoulders and prevent the horse from using the bit as something to pull against.

This does not mean that every horse that pulls downward needs a running gag. It means that the direction of the bit action should make sense in relation to the direction of the evasion.

Dutch gags, elevator bits and Universal bits

Dutch gags, elevator bits and Universal-style bits are often grouped together with running gags, but they work differently.

These bits normally have one or more rings positioned above and below the mouthpiece.

The bridle attaches above the mouthpiece, while the reins may be attached at the main ring or at a lower setting.

As the rein is moved farther below the mouthpiece, the potential leverage generally increases. Pressure may be distributed through the mouth, bridle and poll according to:

The length and shape of the cheeks
The selected rein position
The mouthpiece design
Whether one or two reins are used
Whether a curb strap is fitted
The amount and duration of the rider’s rein pressure

These bits may provide an element of lift or help interrupt a horse that leans, but they can also introduce leverage and poll pressure.

They should not be described as purely lifting bits.

Which horses may suit an elevator or multi-ring bit?

They are commonly considered for horses that:

Become strong when jumping
Lean or take hold during faster work
Become heavy through the shoulders
Need a clearer response than they give in a direct snaffle
Require a bit with several possible rein settings
Need greater control only in particular situations

The mildest practical rein setting should normally be tried first.

Where the design permits it, two reins can give the rider greater control over when the leverage is introduced.

What does a Pelham do?

A Pelham combines direct snaffle-style action and curb leverage within one bit.

It normally has:

A rein ring beside the mouthpiece
A lower ring at the bottom of the shank
An upper purchase connecting the bit to the bridle
A curb chain or curb strap beneath the jaw

The upper rein provides the more direct action.

When the lower curb rein is used, the shank rotates and the curb chain engages. Pressure may then be distributed across the mouth, poll and chin groove.

The amount and nature of the action depend on:

The length of the upper and lower cheeks
The shape of the mouthpiece
The position of the reins
The adjustment of the curb chain
The rider’s hands
Whether the bit is used with two reins or roundings

A Pelham can therefore provide a more complex and amplified signal than a conventional snaffle.

Which horses may suit a Pelham?

A carefully fitted and correctly used Pelham may suit a horse that:

Raises its head to avoid the rein
Runs above the contact
Hollows through the neck
Needs a clearer flexing aid
Requires more control but remains responsive to light signals
Is educated enough to understand separate direct and curb aids
Becomes strong in competition but does not naturally overbend

A Pelham is generally at its most precise when used with two reins.

This allows the rider to use the upper rein for ordinary communication and introduce the lower curb rein only when required.

Why a conventional Pelham may not suit a downward-pulling horse

A Pelham is sometimes chosen simply because the horse feels strong.

However, it may not be the most logical first choice if the horse is already:

Pulling the reins downward
Low in the neck
Heavy in front
Inclined to overbend
Curling behind the contact
Tucking its chin towards its chest
Avoiding a consistent forward contact

The leverage and curb action may encourage the horse to flex or shorten its neck further.

This can create the impression that the horse has become lighter in the rider’s hands. In reality, the horse may simply have withdrawn from the bit.

A horse can feel very light in the rein while remaining on the forehand.

Genuine improvement should include:

Better balance
A more responsive half-halt
Greater control of the shoulders
A consistent connection
The ability to remain confidently forward
A clear release when the horse responds

Simply bringing the horse’s nose inward is not the same as creating self-carriage.

Pelham roundings versus two reins

Pelham roundings connect the upper and lower rein rings and allow the bit to be ridden with one rein.

This can be convenient, particularly when jumping, but it blends the direct and curb actions together.

Whenever the rein is used, both parts of the bit may be activated to some extent.

Using two reins gives the rider more control over the action:

The upper rein can be used for ordinary communication.
The lower rein can remain relatively loose.
The curb action can be introduced only when it is genuinely required.
The rider can release the stronger action immediately after the horse responds.

Roundings are not automatically incorrect, but they reduce the rider’s ability to keep the curb action separate.

What does a Kimblewick do?

A Kimblewick is a shorter curb-action bit usually ridden with one rein.

It normally has:

D-shaped cheeks
A short purchase above the mouthpiece
A curb chain or strap
Either an open D-shaped ring or fixed rein slots

On an Uxeter-style Kimblewick, the rein can be placed into one of the slots. A lower rein position generally creates more leverage than an upper position.

When the rein is applied, the bit rotates, the curb chain engages and pressure may act through the mouth, poll and chin groove. The short cheeks usually create less leverage than a longer-shanked Pelham, although the final action depends on the complete design and how it is used.

Which horses may suit a Kimblewick?

A Kimblewick may be considered for:

A horse or pony that raises its head when strong
A horse that requires modest curb assistance
A rider who is not confident carrying two reins
Faster work where a little more control is required
A horse that prefers a quiet, stable cheek design

As with a Pelham, it may not be the first choice for a horse that already curls, overbends or pulls its contact downward.

Gag versus Pelham: the straightforward distinction

The full mechanics of individual bits are complex, but the initial comparison can be kept relatively simple.

Investigate a genuine lifting or running-gag action when:

The horse becomes strong by taking the contact forward and downward.

The rider may feel that the horse:

Leans
Snatches the reins
Pulls the rider forward
Drops heavily onto the forehand
Becomes difficult to lift through the shoulders
Uses the mouthpiece as something to pull against

Investigate carefully controlled curb action when:

The horse becomes strong by taking its head and neck upward and above the contact.

The rider may feel that the horse:

Raises its head
Hollows its neck
Runs above the rider’s hand
Ignores an ordinary direct rein aid
Remains too open through the jaw and poll
Needs a clearer flexing signal

This is only a starting point.

The mouthpiece, cheek length, rein placement, rider technique and individual horse can all change the final result.

What about a horse that sets its jaw and runs?

Some horses do not become noticeably high or low. Instead, they take hold of the mouthpiece, brace the jaw and neck and continue forward.

In this situation, simply adding more leverage may not solve the problem.

The horse may respond better to a mouthpiece that is:

More mobile
More stable
Better shaped for its tongue
Less easy to grab
More comfortable over the bars
Better suited to the available space inside the mouth

A horse that locks onto a very stable mouthpiece may respond to greater movement.

Conversely, a horse with an anxious, busy or inconsistent mouth may become more settled in a fixed-cheek bit that remains quieter.

The need for more control may therefore be a mouthpiece and fit issue, rather than a need for a more severe cheek design.

Mouthpiece and cheekpiece must be assessed together

Two bits with similar cheeks can feel completely different when fitted with different mouthpieces.

Important mouthpiece variables include:

Single-jointed, double-jointed or solid construction
Thickness
Curvature
Tongue relief
Port shape and height
Flexibility
Surface texture
Loose-ring or fixed-cheek stability
The amount of room available inside the mouth

A thicker horse bit is not automatically kinder.

Some horses have relatively large tongues and limited space between the tongue and palate. An excessively thick mouthpiece may therefore feel bulky and uncomfortable.

A thinner mouthpiece concentrates pressure over a smaller area and may create a more defined signal, but this does not mean that every thin bit is automatically severe.

The complete design and the individual horse must be considered together.

Correct bit fit remains essential

Even an appropriate bit type cannot work properly if it is the wrong size or fitted incorrectly.

A bit that is too narrow may pinch the lips or press the cheeks against the teeth.

A bit that is too wide may move excessively from side to side, become unstable or sit incorrectly when the rein is applied.

Its height in the mouth also matters.

A bit fitted too high may create continuous pressure at the corners of the lips. One fitted too low may become unstable or make unwanted contact with the teeth.

Leverage bits also require correct cheek and curb-chain adjustment. The curb chain or strap controls how far the bit rotates and affects when the curb action engages. Incorrect adjustment can make the action unclear, excessive or uncomfortable.

More control should not mean more constant pressure

The purpose of a more controlling bit should be to allow the rider to use a smaller, clearer aid, followed by a prompt release.

It should not be used to hold the horse continuously.

Leverage amplifies the rider’s rein aid. This can improve safety and communication when used appropriately, but it also amplifies heavy, fixed or unbalanced hands.

A stronger bit cannot compensate for:

A rider pulling continuously
Poor balance
An ineffective half-halt
Lack of training
Fear or tension
Pain
Incorrectly fitted equipment
A horse that is not physically prepared for the work

The goal should be improved communication—not stronger equipment combined with stronger pulling.

Check for discomfort before changing the bit

A horse that has suddenly become strong, resistant or difficult in the contact should not automatically be moved into more powerful equipment.

Before changing the bit, consider:

Dental and mouth comfort
Bit size and position
Bridle and noseband fit
Saddle fit
Back, neck and poll comfort
Rider balance and hand position
Whether the horse understands the rein aids
Whether the horse is physically capable of rebalancing
Whether the problem appears only in one discipline or situation

Dental discomfort can affect a horse’s willingness to accept the bit and rein contact. A thorough oral examination includes checking for pain or damage in areas that may be affected when a bit is fitted.

Any sudden or significant change in ridden behaviour warrants investigation rather than simply escalating the equipment.

How to introduce a different bit

A new bit should initially be tested in a safe, familiar environment.

Begin with:

The mildest practical rein position.
Basic walk and halt responses.
Simple turns and changes of direction.
Walk-to-trot transitions.
Trot-to-canter transitions.
Faster or jumping work only once the horse understands the new signal.

With an adjustable or multi-ring bit, avoid moving immediately to the lowest and strongest rein setting.

Observe whether the horse becomes:

More responsive
Easier to rebalance
Lighter through the shoulders
More consistent in the contact
Easier to stop from a smaller aid
Confidently forward after the rein is released

Signs that the new arrangement may not be suitable include:

Head tossing
Opening the mouth
Crossing the jaw
Curling behind the contact
Refusing to go forward
Dropping the contact completely
Increased tension
Tongue evasions
Rubbing or damage around the lips and mouth

A reduction in rein weight is useful only when it results from better balance and communication—not from the horse avoiding the bit.

Frequently asked questions about bits for strong horses

What is the best bit for a strong horse?

There is no single best bit for every strong horse.

The most suitable choice depends on whether the horse raises its head, pulls down, leans, grabs the mouthpiece, falls through a shoulder or runs through the rider’s aids.

Start by identifying how the horse becomes strong before choosing the direction and strength of the bit action.

What is the difference between a gag and a Pelham?

A true running gag allows the mouthpiece to travel upward at the corners of the mouth and is often considered for horses that lean, snatch or pull their contact downward.

A Pelham combines direct action with curb leverage. Its curb rein can introduce pressure through the mouth, poll and chin groove.

Is a Dutch gag the same as a running gag?

No.

A true running gag has sliding cheekpieces that pass through the bit rings.

A Dutch gag or elevator has fixed rings positioned above and below the mouthpiece. Lower rein positions introduce increasing leverage and may also increase poll pressure.

Is a gag suitable for a horse that leans?

A genuine running-gag action may be considered for a horse that leans, snatches or pulls downward because it provides an upward influence at the mouth.

The complete bit must still fit correctly, and the rider must release the pressure when the horse responds.

Is a Pelham suitable for a horse that pulls down?

It may suit some individuals, but it should not be the automatic choice.

A conventional Pelham introduces curb leverage that may encourage flexion and a shorter head and neck position. This can be unhelpful for a horse that already pulls downward, curls or travels behind the contact.

What is the difference between a Pelham and a Kimblewick?

A Pelham has separate direct and curb rein rings and is most precisely used with two reins.

A Kimblewick is normally ridden with one rein and has shorter cheeks. It provides a simpler and usually more limited curb action, although its strength still depends on the rein setting, mouthpiece and rider.

Are Pelham roundings the same as using two reins?

No.

Roundings connect the upper and lower rings to one rein, blending the direct and curb actions.

Two reins allow the rider to use the upper rein independently and introduce the lower curb rein only when needed.

Can a stronger bit fix a horse that pulls?

A bit may improve communication and control, but it cannot replace training, balance, correct riding or physical comfort.

The aim should be to gain a clearer response from a smaller aid—not to overpower the horse.

Shop horse bits in New Zealand

Canterbury Saddlery carries a carefully selected range of horse bits in New Zealand, including snaffles, loose-ring bits, fixed-cheek bits, full-cheek bits, Dutch gags, elevator bits, Universal bits, Pelhams, Kimblewicks and associated curb chains and straps.

Browse our horse bit collection online, or visit Canterbury Saddlery in Christchurch for practical help comparing bit sizes, mouthpieces, cheek designs and rein settings.

When selecting a bit for greater control, consider more than how strong the bit appears.

The most appropriate bit is one that:

Fits the horse’s mouth correctly
Matches the horse’s particular way of becoming strong
Provides the direction of action the rider actually needs
Allows a smaller and clearer aid
Produces a reliable response followed by an immediate release

This article provides general guidance only. Bit suitability depends on the individual horse, rider, discipline and competition rules. Seek guidance from an experienced coach, veterinarian, equine dental professional or qualified bit fitter where appropriate.