Custom Bits

Some horses never settle in a standard bit. The mouth is too narrow, too fleshy, or shaped in a way that off-the-shelf sizes ignore. A custom horse bit fixes that. At Bitsova, we build each bit to your horse's exact measurements, your discipline, and the way your horse goes. You choose the mouthpiece, the cheekpiece, the material, the size, and the thickness. We make every part in our own workshop.

What Is a Custom Horse Bit?

A custom horse bit is a bit made to your horse's exact measurements and needs, instead of standard factory sizes. You pick every part: mouthpiece shape, cheekpiece style, material, length, and thickness. The result fits one horse properly, not the average of thousands.

You need one when a stock bit pinches, slides, sits at the wrong thickness, or your horse resists contact for no clear reason.

Why Order a Custom Bit?

A custom bit solves the problems a standard bit cannot. Here is where it helps most.

Hard-to-fit mouths

Horses with narrow muzzles, low palates, large tongues, or fleshy lips rarely fit a 5-inch standard bit well. A custom length and thickness removes the pinching and sliding that cause rubs and resistance.

Discipline-specific needs

Every discipline has its own rules and pressure preferences. A custom bit lets you match the exact cheekpiece, mouthpiece, and feel your sport asks for, while staying legal for competition.

Behaviour and comfort problems

Tongue evasion, head tossing, bit chewing, and a sensitive mouth often trace back to the wrong mouthpiece or thickness. The right custom build gives your horse room to relax and accept the contact.

What You Can Customise

Every part of your bit is your choice. We build all bit types, in all materials, with any side piece, cheekpiece, and mouthpiece, in every size. Here is what each option changes.

Mouthpiece shape

The mouthpiece decides where pressure lands and how your horse carries the bit.

Single joint: Clear, direct action with a mild nutcracker effect. A good all-rounder.

Double joint or lozenge: Spreads pressure and softens the nutcracker effect. Suits horses that dislike a single joint.

French link: A flat central plate that lies over the tongue for an even feel.

Mullen (slight curve): Steady, gentle pressure across the tongue. Kind for sensitive or young horses.

Ported: Raised centre that frees the tongue and adds tongue room. Common in Western and leverage bits.

Straight bar: Simple, even contact across the mouth.

Roller: Rollers set into the mouthpiece give the horse something to mouth, which encourages relaxation in a tense or fussy horse.

Waterford: A chain of linked balls that bends in every direction, which discourages leaning and a set, fixed contact.

We make any mouthpiece you need, including shapes built to your own design.

Material

We work with every bit material. Each one changes taste, warmth, and how readily your horse accepts the bit.

Stainless steel: Durable, rust-resistant, neutral taste. A reliable default.

Sweet iron: Builds a patina over time that encourages salivation and acceptance.

Copper and copper alloys: Warm taste that keeps the mouth soft and wet.

German silver: A silvery-white copper alloy with nickel. Well accepted, but skip it for nickel-sensitive horses.

Titanium: Light, strong, and well tolerated by sensitive horses.

Sweet gold: A copper-rich alloy with a warm taste and a lasting golden finish.

Rubber: Soft contact for horses that dislike metal.

Flexible synthetic: Light and gentle, with some give in the mouth.

Leather: Warm and adaptable for very sensitive mouths.

If a material exists for bits, we can make your bit in it.

Cheekpiece and side piece

The cheekpiece, also called the side piece, sets stability in the mouth and any leverage on the poll.

Loose ring: Free-moving, encourages mouthing and relaxation.

Eggbutt: Fixed and stable, no pinching at the lips.

D-ring: Stable with gentle steering support.

Full cheek: Strong lateral guidance, popular with younger horses.

Fulmer: Full cheek arms with loose rings for movement and steering.

Baucher (hanging cheek): Sits steady and adds light poll flexion.

Gag and elevator: Added poll pressure for more control.

Pelham and Weymouth (shanked curb): Leverage for refined or one-handed riding.

Hackamore and combination: Nose and poll pressure with little or no mouth pressure.

We make every cheekpiece and side piece style, in your chosen length and ring size.

Sizes We Make

We build bits in every standard size, plus the sizes above and below the usual range. Best of all, we make bits to the exact sizes you give us. Send your measurements and we build to them.

Mouthpiece length (the bit "size")

This is the width of the bit, measured between the inside edges of the rings or cheeks.

We also make smaller sizes for miniatures and larger sizes for heavy horses. If your horse needs a length between two standard sizes, we build the exact figure you send us.

Mouthpiece thickness (diameter)

Thickness changes how sharp or spread the pressure feels.

16mm suits most horses. Thinner gives a more precise signal and suits small mouths. Thicker spreads pressure but needs room for the tongue. We make any thickness in this range, or the exact figure you request.

Ring size

The ring is the round part on loose ring and eggbutt bits. Ring size changes the bit's balance and how it sits.

Cheekpiece and shank length

Cheek and shank length controls leverage on shanked and hanging-cheek bits.

Hanging cheek (baucher): Up to 7 cm upper cheek for competition use.

Weymouth or curb shank: Commonly 5 cm or 7 cm lower shank.

Full cheek and Fulmer arms: Built to your length for the right steering effect.

Tell us the cheek or shank length you want and we make it to that measurement.

How to Measure Your Horse for a Custom Bit

You need two things: mouth width and your thickness preference.

Measure mouth width

1. Hold a clean string or thin dowel across your horse's mouth where the bit sits.
2. Mark both points where the lips touch the string.
3. Measure between the marks, then add about half an inch.

That number is your mouthpiece length.

Choose your thickness

Match thickness to the space in the mouth, not to the idea that thicker is kinder. A thick bit in a small mouth leaves no room for the tongue. If you are unsure, 16mm is a safe starting point.

Check the ring and cheek size

For loose ring bits, leave a small gap so the lip clears the ring hole and does not pinch. Send us a photo if you are unsure and we will confirm.

Not confident with the numbers? [Send us your measurements / book a free fitting consultation] and we will check everything before we build.

Choosing a Custom Bit by Discipline

Pick options that match your sport's rules and the feel you want.

Dressage

Dressage federations allow snaffle bits with loose ring, eggbutt, D-ring, full cheek, Fulmer, and hanging cheek (baucher) styles. The mouthpiece can be single or double jointed, and must usually be at least 12mm thick for horses (10mm for ponies). In a double-jointed snaffle, the centre link must be a smooth, rounded lozenge.

Approved materials include stainless steel, titanium, and permitted synthetics, while leather bits and bit guards are not allowed in competition. At higher levels you may ride in a double bridle with a Weymouth and bradoon. Rules update every year, so check the current FEI or your national federation bit list before you compete.

Note that French link and Dr. Bristol mouthpieces, which use a flat central plate, are not dressage legal, so choose a rounded lozenge link instead.

Showjumping and eventing

You have more freedom here. Riders often choose a stable cheekpiece for quick, clear steering and a mouthpiece that holds contact through fast turns. Gags and pelhams are common for extra control.

Western

Western work often uses ported mouthpieces and shanked cheekpieces for leverage and one-handed riding. Sweet iron is a popular material choice for the taste and patina it develops.

Leisure and general riding

Comfort comes first. A mullen or lozenge mouthpiece in a mild material keeps relaxed, everyday riding pleasant for your horse.

Custom Bits for Specific Needs

Tell us the problem and we build around it.

Tongue over the bit: A correct length and a tongue-friendly mouthpiece help keep the tongue settled.

Sensitive or fussy mouth: A smooth single-piece or copper mouthpiece can ease acceptance.

Will not take contact: The right thickness and a softer joint often invite a steadier connection.

Older horse or dental issues: A gentle, even mouthpiece reduces pressure on sore areas.

Strong or heavy in the hand: A stable cheekpiece and the right shape improve control without harshness.

How the Custom Bit Process Works

Four simple steps from idea to delivery.

Share your specs. Send your measurements, discipline, and any problems your horse has. [Use our custom bit form / contact us]

Confirm the design. We confirm every detail with you before we start, so the bit matches exactly what you want.

We make it in-house. Every bit is built by hand in our own workshop. This takes about 3 to 4 weeks.

Delivery. We check the bit, then ship it to you.

Lead Time, Pricing and Returns

Lead time: Custom bits are made to order in our own workshop. Expect about 3 to 4 weeks from the day we confirm your design.

Pricing: Your price depends on the bit you design. Some materials cost more than others, so the final price reflects the material, cheekpiece, mouthpiece, and size you choose. [Tell us your build and we will send a quote.]

Returns: You can return a custom bit if it was not made to the specifications you confirmed with us. Show us where the bit does not match your agreed specs, and we will refund or exchange it. Because each bit is built for one horse, returns outside this case are not accepted. We confirm every detail before production to keep this simple.

Why Riders Trust Bitsova for Custom Bits

We have made horse bits for more than 10 years, and we manufacture every bit in-house at our own workshop. That means we control the quality of each piece from start to finish. We build every bit type, in every material, with any side piece, cheekpiece, and mouthpiece, in every size, including the exact measurements you send us. Each bit is checked before it ships, and if it does not match your confirmed specs, you get a refund or an exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a custom horse bit?

A custom horse bit is built to your horse's exact measurements and needs, instead of standard factory sizes. You choose the mouthpiece, cheekpiece, material, length, and thickness.

How do I measure my horse for a bit?

Hold a string across the mouth where the bit sits, mark where the lips touch, measure between the marks, and add about half an inch. That gives your mouthpiece length.

How long does a custom bit take to make?

About 3 to 4 weeks from the day we confirm your design. Every bit is made to order in our own workshop.

Can I return a custom bit?

Yes, if it was not made to the specifications you confirmed. Show us where it does not match your agreed specs and we will refund or exchange it. Returns outside this case are not accepted, since each bit is built for one horse.

What materials can I choose?

Every bit of material we offer, including stainless steel, sweet iron, copper, German silver, titanium, sweet gold, rubber, synthetic, and leather. Tell us your horse's habits and we will guide you.

What sizes do you make?

Every size, from small pony to draft, in inches and cm. We also build to the exact measurement you send us, plus any ring size, thickness, and cheek length you need.

What thickness is best for my horse?

16mm suits most horses. Choose thinner for small mouths or precise signals. Go thicker only if there is room for the tongue.

Do you make the bits yourselves?

Yes. We manufacture every bit in-house at our own workshop, with more than 10 years of experience.

What if I do not know what to order?

Send us your measurements and your horse's issues. We will recommend a full build before you commit. [Contact us / use our form]