Hard bit or soft bit? Understanding severity and choosing according to your horse
You have already read our complete guide to choosing your bit and now you have a more specific question: between two bits, which is "harder," which is "softer"? Should you choose a 125 or a 135? What do the large barrels mean? This complementary guide precisely answers these questions of severity and classification, without repeating what has already been explained elsewhere.
Soft vs harsh: what makes the difference
Before classifying bit families, it is important to understand why they differ. Two distinct physical mechanisms are at work.
Direct pressure: what the hand gives, the horse receives
A snaffle (simple bit, with rings, without branches) transmits the hand's action without amplification. What happens on the reins happens almost exactly the same on the tongue, bars, and/or corners depending on the model. These bits are considered the "softest" in the range, not because they can never bother a horse, but because they add no mechanical multiplication effect.
The lever effect: the gourmette changes the game
A bridle bit with branches (Pelham, bridle/Weymouth bit, Saumur with pump) works differently: the branches and the gourmette (chain or leather passing under the jaw) create a lever effect. A moderate action on the rein can result in more pronounced pressure on the lower jaw and a flexion of the neck, as the gourmette serves as the fulcrum for the lever. It is this mechanism — not any kind of "harshness" of the bit — that makes these models potentially more incisive.
Family references
Here is a ranking of the main bit families in our catalog, from the mildest to the most likely to be severe. Some families are not specified enough on their sheet to be classified with certainty — we point this out rather than invent.
| Family | Mechanism | Indicative severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2-ring snaffle (straight, olive) | Simple bit, direct pressure, no lever | Mild |
| Baucher snaffle | Simple bit, fixed rings, slight pressure distribution, no lever | Mild |
| Double joint (rubber / resin / Sweet Iron) | Simple bit, direct pressure, mouthpiece articulated at 2 points, more anatomical | Mild |
| Verdun snaffle (D rings) | Simple bit, direct pressure, fixed rings that protect the corners of the mouth | Mild |
| Saumur with pump | Bridle bit: shanks + curb chain, so-called "pump" action = lever effect | More severe (expert hands recommended) |
| Pelham | Bridle bit, shanks + curb chain = lever effect | More severe (expert hands recommended) |
| Bridle bit / Weymouth | Shanks + curb chain, used with a double-rein snaffle | More severe (expert hands recommended) |
Indicative ranking based on the mechanism (lever or not), not a judgment on the hands using them. "Simple bit" = snaffle, direct action. "Bridle bit" = shanks + curb chain, lever effect. Some product sheets do not specify the exact model enough to go into more detail — we prefer to be cautious rather than speculate.
Mouthpiece thickness: thin or thick
With the same mechanism, the thickness of the mouthpiece greatly changes the feel in the mouth.
- Thin bar (about 12 to 16 mm): pressure is concentrated on a smaller surface, making it sharper — useful for refining cues with a horse that is well in hand, but best reserved for confident hands.
- Thick bar (about 18 to 20 mm): the same pressure is spread over a larger surface, softening the sensation — provided the horse’s mouth has enough room to accommodate it comfortably (small mouths risk discomfort with a bar that’s too thick).
Our Waterford 2-ring snaffle bits, for example, come with an 18 mm bar — a relatively mild thickness for a bit that is already gentle by nature.
Sprenger: widths and fitting guides
Sprenger bits in our catalog are sold in several bar widths measured in millimeters, corresponding to the width of the horse’s mouth (for example, 125 mm, 135 mm, or 145 mm depending on the model) — to be distinguished from the bar thickness (12 to 20 mm), which affects severity. Measuring your horse’s mouth width carefully before purchase prevents a bit that pinches the corners (too narrow) or moves too much side to side (too wide).
On the fitting direction: all Sprenger bits have an engraved arrow indicating the mounting direction — before fitting a Sprenger bit, locate this arrow and refer to the instructions provided with the product or ask us in-store if you have any doubts about a specific model.
Our bits, from the gentlest to the most technical
Indicative selection: available models, sizes, and colors may vary. If you’re unsure about the exact type of bit or its suitability for your horse, ask us in-store.
Unsure about the right bit for your horse? We take the time to discuss it with you in-store.
Make an appointment / contact us See all our bitsFAQ
Which bit for a horse that hits the hand?
There is no “magic” bit for this behavior: a horse that hits the hand may react to a harsh hand, a bit that is poorly fitted or too thin for its mouth, dental or back pain, or lack of relaxation. Before changing bits, have a professional check the horse’s mouth and back, and verify the current bit’s adjustment (height, width). A bit with a thicker mouthpiece and no leverage (like a double-jointed snaffle) is often a gentler starting point than a shanked bit.
Which bit is the gentlest?
Among the mechanisms, snaffle bits with ring cheeks (straight, eggbutt, double-jointed, Verdun) are considered the gentlest because they add no leverage effect: the pressure transmitted is exactly what the hand applies, without amplification. A thicker mouthpiece (18-20 mm) further enhances this gentle effect, provided the horse’s mouth has enough space.
Which bit is the most severe?
Bridle bits with shanks and curb chains (Pelham, Saumur with curb, bridle/Weymouth bits) are considered the most likely to be severe because the leverage effect can amplify the rider’s hand action on the jaw and poll. This does not mean they are unsuitable: in expert and gentle hands, they remain a precision tool, not a force tool.
125 mm or 135 mm, which bit size should I choose?
This measurement corresponds to the width of the mouthpiece, which should be adapted to your horse’s mouth width — it is not related to the severity of the bit. A bit that is too narrow pinches the corners of the mouth, while a bit that is too wide moves around and loses precision. The best method is to measure your horse’s mouth or try several widths in-store.
What difference do thick mouthpieces make on a bit?
A thicker mouthpiece (18-20 mm) distributes pressure over a larger surface, which softens the sensation in the mouth compared to a thin mouthpiece (12-16 mm) that concentrates pressure. However, a thick mouthpiece requires that the horse’s mouth has enough space to accommodate it comfortably, especially at the palate.
How to fit a Sprenger bit in the correct direction?
All Sprenger bits have an engraved arrow indicating the correct mounting direction. Refer to the instructions provided with your model, or ask us in-store: we will check the exact fitting direction with you.
