Grand National 2023

The Randox Grand National 2023 – Abbey England gives you the inside track

(Grakle, seen here in this photo on the right. The winner of the 1931 Grand National at odds of 100/6, wearing a figure of eight noseband to which he gave his name. Now generally spelt Grackle)

Traced back to the early 1800, everything is grand about The Grand National – the length of the course, its famous fences, the enormous crowds and the magnificence of the bold horses. People all over the world stop to witness this 4-miles, 2.5 furlong race over 16 fences, 14 of which being jumped twice. Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn and The Chair are all jumps that have become household names. Now made from Sitka or Norway spruce, brought from the Lake District, it takes the Aintree Ground staff team three weeks to build the course. Jockey Club Racecourses owns and manages Aintree today, one of 15 subsidiaries operated by The Jockey Club. The Grand National is the world’s greatest steeplechase and is indeed, grand.  
 




The bits and nosebands selected for each horse will vary depending upon their individual requirements and the trainer’s preferences. However, the Snaffle category of bits presides in racing. Abbey England has gathered here a few of the most popular choices for a closer look.

The Snaffle Bit

The largest of the bitting groups or families, the Snaffle is distinctive in its mechanics by having a direct line of contact from the bit, through the reins, to the rider’s hands. It has no lever action, pulley or curb chain. Acting upon the horse’s lips, tongue and bars, the general action of a Snaffle bit is to lift and encourage the head and neck upwards. How they implement across the mouth depends upon the mouthpiece’s design, as well as the position of the horse’s head and neck, and the rider’s hands. They are available in many different designs of mouthpiece, and a wide range of cheek options too. When used in conjunction with a restrictive noseband their action upon the mouth will be intensified. Here are a few designs often seen on horses in The Grand National.  

Extra Large Loose Ringed Snaffle

Made with extra-large rings and normally with a single jointed mouthpiece, these provide a looser freedom of movement or ‘play’ of the mouthpiece. Additionally, the extra-large, loose rings help to give directional guidance to the horse by applying a degree of pressure to the sides of the mouth and jaw from the opposite rein. The large rings make it less likely for the bit to slide through the mouth thus assisting in keeping the mouthpiece central.

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Seen here with a stainless-steel mouthpiece, but rubber or synthetic covered options are also available. These provide a broader mouthpiece and one that is softer. Rubber Bit Rings or Guards are often fitted with loose ring bits, to help prevent pinching of the lips. When used, a wider bit may be required to allow space to accommodate them without squeezing the mouth.

Abbey England's Equus Bit Ring Guards

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Dexter Ring Bit

Increasing in popularity, this bit combines a Spoon Bit with a ring. The ring passes through the mouth, over the tongue and then around and underneath the jaw. Similar to the Mameluke bit from North Africa, but with no lever action. As the rein contact is taken up, the bits mouthpiece folds to create a squeezing action upon the lips, bars and tongue. Additionally, it closes upon and squeezes down the ring across the mouth. Some designs have the Spoon Bit attached to the ring, just at the sides, as shown on this illustration, while others also have it attached at the central joint thus creating additional pressure upon the tongue. Used in racing with strong horses to aid control over both their speed and direction.


Though normally manufactured with a single jointed mouthpiece, it can be produced with stainless steel or rubber covered mouthpieces, for a milder option.
The Dexter Ring Bit is helpful with racehorses that are inclined to lug (pull off to one side) or be too strong.

Dee Cheeked Snaffle

This bit gets its name from the Dee (D) shape of its end sections. The Dees act to provide a smooth surface against the horse’s mouth, which is much less likely to pinch than a loose ring. Some directional guidance is provided by the Dee cheeks as they contact the sides of the mouth.

Additionally, the Dees also help to keep the mouthpiece central in the mouth. Being much shorter in length than a full cheek bit, they are less likely to be at risk of getting caught up on anything.
This bit is available from Abbey England in several sizes with an option of stainless-steel or sweet metal mouthpiece.

Full Cheeked Snaffle

As its name implies, this Snaffle bit has full-length cheeks that extend both above and below the mouthpiece. The long cheeks function to prevent the bit from being pulled through the mouth and to help keep the mouthpiece central. Additionally, the long cheeks provide a generous amount of directional support to the rein aids. Leather Fulmer Loops can be fitted from the bit to the bridle at the top of the bits cheeks to prevent the bit from rotating forwards. However, this is not as imperative as it would be for a Fulmer Snaffle, which is similar in appearance but has loose rings.


Shown here with a single joined mouthpiece, but others are available such as; Lozenge, Dr Bristol and French Link.
Note, to prevent rubbing, the upper cheeks are shaped slightly away from the horse’s face. Consequently, care must be taken to ensure that a Full Cheek Snaffle is fitted to the bridle the correct way up.
This bit may have long cheeks, but it does not provide any leverage action. This is because the rein is not attached below the bit’s mouthpiece.

Eggbut Snaffle

The Eggbutt Snaffle is more stable in the mouth than the loose ring and less inclined to pinch. Not seen as much on racehorses as the other bits show here, but available in a wide range of mouthpiece designs and materials.                                                                      

  

Grackle Noseband

Designed for Grakle (no c), the horse that won the 1931 Grand National, this figure of eight noseband fastens above and below the bit around the jaw. It has been designed to give greater control by applying pressure to the horse’s nose when it opens its mouth to evade the bits action.

(Image via Old Mill Saddlery)


It is helpful for horses that cross their jaw as well as open their mouth. The high angled design of the straps on this noseband provides greater clearance of the flare of the nostrils with a horse in fast work, as compared to other restrictive noseband. This makes them practical for use when in fast work.
 

As with all tack, this noseband must be fitted correctly. Look for space to allow two fingers to be placed underneath the front cross section when it is fastened around the horse’s face.

Australian Cheeker

The Australian Cheeker Noseband is seen a lot on racehorses. Made of rubber with the ring sections fitted around the ends of the bit – as rubber bit guards do – on each side. The thin end is then passed up the middle of the horse’s face to be attached to the bridle’s headpiece. Used to help keep the bit higher in the horse’s mouth to prevent them from getting their tongue over the bit. In addition, they provide some additional control by pressure place down the face as the rein contact is taken up. As with bit guards, the bit needs to be the correct size the allow space for the rubber ends.






Royal Warrant holder, Abbey England is one of Britain’s leading loriners suppling 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.