Across
- 5. The sides of a bit that are on the outside of a horse’s mouth. They are comprised of two parts.
- 7. This is a type of snaffle in which the cheeks are connected to the mouthpiece and the outer rings are connected to the cheek.
- 8. The part of a bit that goes in a horses mouth.
- 11. The part of the cheeks that extends from the mouthpiece to the rein ring. A shorter one gives the rider the ability to create a more uplifting effect with a horse, while a longer one encourages a horse to move more forward and down.
- 12. A piece of leather that is used on a Pelham bit. It connects the leather and curb rings, to convert the double reins into a single rein.
- 15. This type of mouthpiece has bushings that a horse can move with its tongue.
- 16. A jointed bit that is used in combination with a curb bit to complete a double/full bridle.
- 17. This is a snaffle bit with the mouthpiece consisting of several balls and chains linked together, resulting in a bit with many links. This type of bit gives a rider more control, as the mouthpiece is difficult for the horse to grab and control with their mouth.
- 20. The part of the bridle that encircles the horses head, parts include a crown piece, two cheek straps, and a throat latch. This is the main component to which a bit is attached.
- 21. This is a popular type of Western bit. It is named after an activity that horses do while at pasture. Though it is named after this activity, it is not recommended horses partake in this activity while wearing a bit.
- 23. The upper part of the cheeks that connect the bit to the headstall. This is also what you do at a store or online.
- 25. The roots of this bit are based in driving and carriage horses. This bit has a jointed mouthpiece with holes in the bit’s rings or cheeks. Pieces of leather or rawhide go through the holes and then are attached to the reins. There are many variations of this type of bit.
Down
- 1. One of the major types of bits, it is a mild type of bit that has a jointed or straight mouthpiece with rings on both ends. It is a direct action bit as pressure comes directly from the reins via the rings. The mouthpiece comes in all shapes and sizes and can be made of hard rubber, soft rubber, or metal. The thicker the mouthpiece the milder the bit. The outside rings also vary in shape and sizes.
- 2. A mouthpiece that is a straight bar with a light curve. This type of bit puts more pressure on the tongue of the horse, rather than the bars of the mouth.
- 3. A curb bit that is used in the double bridle. The double bridle is often referred to by the same name.
- 4. Named after a town in England, this bit is also referred to as a Kimberwick or a Kimberwicke. It is a cross between a snaffle and a curb, but since it has shanks it is considered a curb. It is regarded as a stronger type of bit and is not allowed in some horse shows.
- 5. It is one of the two major types of bits and is used by both Western and English riders. It is a leverage bit with pressure being placed on the horse’s mouth via the different parts. When used in the English riding style, it is outfitted with another type of bit.
- 6. The amount of links in a center-link mouthpiece.
- 9. These parts of a bridle connect a bit to a headpiece.
- 10. A mouthpiece that is curved or u-shaped. The wider and shallower the curve is, the milder it will be, while the narrower and steeper the curve is, the stronger the bit will be.
- 13. - This bit has a high port which is flattened at the top.
- 14. This bit is technically considered a curb, but it has elements of a snaffle and a curb. The mouthpiece can be solid or jointed and comes in various degrees of thickness. Double reins are used on this type of bit, but there is a piece of equipment which can connect the reins to make it a single rein.
- 18. This is a center link mouthpiece, in which the center link is shaped like a peanut.
- 19. A type of snaffle that is used on most racehorses. It is named for its shape which resembles a letter.
- 22. A type of bit that has two curved shanks that meet together below the chin, the shanks are fastened together by a ring. The original use of this bit was to prevent a rider’s rope from getting caught in the shanks while working cattle.
- 24. A type of bit that is shaped like a garden tool.