Bits on Show: The London International Horse Show

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the London International Horse Show. This year the event will be held at the Excel in London from 15 – 19 December. It is the only UK show to host all three FEI World Cup TM Qualifiers in Dressage, Show Jumping and Driving. Each performance includes an equestrian competition along with a variety of displays from around the world including the Shetland Pony Grand National.

Within each discipline, riders will select a different type of bit to help ensure the best performance from both horse and rider. Here is a selection of Abbey England bits that you may see across the different disciplines at this year’s London International Horse Show.

FEI World Cup TM Qualifiers in Dressage

Double Bridle Set

Double Bridle sets consist of two separate bits, the Bradoon and Weymouth. The Bradoon is a Snaffle bit, which means that with an upwards action and lift in their forehand, the rider can apply pressure to the horse’s lips, tongue and bar. It provides a direct line of contact from the bit through the reins to the rider’s hands.  A bradoon has small rings to allow space for the second bit and is available in various mouthpieces.

The Weymouth is a curb bit. As the rein contact is taken up, the shank below the mouthpiece is rotated backwards toward the rider’s hands, while the top section rotates forwards. This action will encourage flexion at the poll to bring the horse’s face closer to the vertical as it applies pressure to the poll, chin groove and downwards upon the mouth.

The two bits must be correctly selected and fitted so that they can work independently from each other when the curb chain is fitted to act at an angle of 45 degrees from the point of rest.
Harmony and success will rely upon the correct selection and fit of both the bridle and bits. Although the rider’s skill and the sound schooling of the horse is critical.

FEI World Cup TM Qualifiers Show Jumping 

Hartwell Port Byley Short Cheek (Dalehead)

This bit is a modern variation of the Kimblewick bit. It is normally used with a curb chain or leather curb jaw strap in order to spread the pressure applied, and to prevent the cheeks rotating too far.
The bit is attached the bridle by its top loops and supports the bit’s mouthpiece off the tongue. These top loops are round in shape and so permit more rotation than with a traditional design of Kimbelwick.

There are three possible points of rein attachment on this bit. These are the upper or lower loops on the cheek rings or the section in-between them.

The top rein attachment position provides virtually no curb action and acts similarly to a Snaffle upon the lips, tongue and bars with a slight lifting action. The lower two attachment points will cause the bit to bring a curb action into play, as the lower section of the cheeks rotate around, providing some downwards action upon the poll, chin groove and downwards across the mouth. The higher rein position will be milder than the lower one because it causes less leverage.

The bit’s mouthpiece can vary in design but is shown here with a Hartwell mouthpiece. This can help prevent the horse from bringing its tongue over the bit, by providing a port in the centre to allow room for the tongue and bring the contact onto the bars.

The mouthpiece is attached to the bit’s cheeks by a C sleeve, which allows of a small amount movement of the mouthpiece and helps to prevent it from pinching the lips.

FEI World Cup TM Qualifiers Show Driving

Straight Mouth Liverpool

There are a number of rein position options with the Liverpool Driving Bit. The lower the rein is attached onto the bit’s cheeks, the greater the leverage curb action will be. This will place pressure downwards on the mouth and poll, as well as aiding flection via the pressure placed on the chin groove by the curb chain. This encourages the horse to lower and flex its head and neck. The number of rein slots will vary, but there can be up to three of these, and this will provide five options with which to fix the driving reins. From top to bottom, these are:

Position 1 – Plain Cheek, acting as a Snaffle, this will have a direct line of contact with no curb action
Position 2 – Rough Cheek, fixed just below the mouthpiece, this will give only a small amount of curb action
Position 3 – Upper Bar, this will provide a moderate amount of curb action
Position 4 – Middle Bar, providing additional leverage action to the Upper Bar option and so more curb action
Position 5 – Bottom Bar, the lowest and therefore strongest curb action, to be used with caution

The Shetland Pony Grand National

 Full cheeked Snaffle - Pony size

This pony bit has been scaled down not only in the size of its mouthpiece, but also in its cheeks. Often confused with a Fulmer Snaffle, the full checked Snaffle is available in a range of mouthpieces and is shown here with a single joint. It will act with an upwards action upon the horse’s lips, tongue and bars.

The cheeks that extend both above and below the mouthpiece have no action upon the mechanics of the bit. It is a useful bit for the novice rider as the long cheeks prevent the bit from sliding through the mouth. It is also helpful for a novice pony or one in faster work, where the contact against the side of the face aids directional guidance. This would definitely be very helpful when zipping around the arena in the Shetland Grand National!

The eggbut sections at the end of the mouthpiece help prevent the lips from getting pinched.  

As Royal Warrant holder, Abbey England is one of Britain’s leading loriners supplying horse bits and other equestrian equipment. Since Tudor times, Walsall in the West Midlands of the UK has been the centre of the lorinery and saddlery trade and it is there that Abbey England still craft their horse bits today.

Visit the website to see the full range of bits available from Abbey England and abbeyengland.com/abbey-bits.