| Purchase -
Portion of cheek above the mouthpiece. A shorter purchase
means a quicker reaction.
Shank - Portion of cheek below the
mouthpiece. The shorter the shank, the less control Ñ the
longer the shank, the more control.
Cheeks - Sides of the bit. Includes
both purchase and shank.
Poll - Top of the head behind the
ears where the neck and head join. The "feel of the
bit" - Not only what the horse feels when the rider
pulls on the reins, but, also what the rider feels.
Suppleness or stiffness.
Bars - Portion of each side of the
mouthpiece that rests on the horse's bars (gum area between
front and back teeth).
Port - Center portion of
mouthpiece. Both height and width are important in creating
the amount of tongue pressure or tongue relief.
Curb Bit - Rotation in mouth-down
on mouth, up on curb chain, pressure on poll.
Timing - The amount of time
required from the moment the reins are pulled till the horse
reacts.
Curb Chain Pressure - Timing of the
bit. Loose curb chain - slower. Tight curb chain - faster.
Curb Action - Includes pressure on
poll.
Mullen Relief - A forward curve in
the mouthpiece that creates even pressure across the bars
and tongue.
Snaffle - Broken in the middle.
Most common.
Double Twisted Wire Snaffle - Two
small snaffles which are broken off-center from each other.
Chain - Works lightly on the bars
and corners of lips while adding some tongue pressure.
Solid - Any mouthpiece that is not
broken.
Copper - Causes mouth to salivate
keeping it soft and usable to the rider.
Sweet Iron - Intended to rust, it
actually has a sweet taste to it as rusting occurs.
Stainless Steel - Very little
taste. Gives a clean, neat look.
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