Mouthpiece
at Driving Essentials, Inc.
Monday-Friday 9:00-4:00, Saturday 9:00-12:00.
STRAIGHT MOUTH or STRAIGHT BAR
More pressure is borne by the tongue than the bars. The mouthpiece may be reversible, smooth on one side and serrated on the other side for greater effect, allowing for more versatility.
MULLEN MOUTH
This mouthpiece is curved outwards to allow more room for the tongue. It has a mild action that encourages a horse to move forward into the bit.
ARCH MOUTH
This mouthpiece is curved upwards (instead of outwards like the Mullen Mouth). The action, however, is similar. The mouthpiece may be reversible, smooth on one side and serrated on the other side for greater effect, allowing for more versatility.
VICTORY
This mouthpiece is curved slightly upwards and slightly outwards to allow more room for the tongue while still providing bar pressure. The copper alloy mouthpiece promotes salivation for a more responsive mouth.
SIMPLE JOINTED MOUTH
This mouthpiece acts on both the tongue and bars with a pinching or nutcracker action. Rein pressure is transferred directly onto the horse’s mouth and curb action is negated. Applied pressure cannot be increased without the use of a pulley device, such as draw reins.
FRENCH LINK MOUTH
The smooth center link in this classic double-jointed mouthpiece rests comfortably on the tongue and allows the pressure to be spread more evenly across the tongue. This reduces the nutcracker action on the tongue and makes it much more gentle than a single-jointed mouthpiece.
BEAN LINK MOUTH
This double-jointed mouthpiece has a small bean-shaped link in the center which gives a reduced and softer nutcracker action on the tongue than a single-jointed mouthpiece.
LOCKING LINK
The center link in this double-jointed mouthpiece locks at a certain angle and forms a rigid Mullen shaped mouthpiece when rein pressure is applied. As the horse softens, the link unlocks and the mouthpiece returns to being a double-jointed mouth.
VULCANITE
A hard, black, vulcanized rubber over a solid stainless steel core provides a thick mouthpiece with a mild effect. This mouthpiece is much harder and smoother than a rubber covered mouthpiece, and has no flexion.
RUBBER COVERED
Rubber is soft, usually black, and should have a metal interior. There may be friction against the tongue with a rubber mouthpiece so that the mouthpiece may not move freely. May have a limited lifespan.
FLEXIBLE MOUTH
Zilco makes a non-allergenic, polyurethane mouthpiece strengthened with a stainless steel wire reinforcement. This is a yielding mouthpiece that can be useful for horses that dislike having metal in their mouths. May have a limited lifespan.
DUO VIENNA
Herm. Sprenger offers an innovative bit design that is extremely gentle on the horse’s mouth. The flexible mouthpiece is made of soft plastic, reinforced with a stainless steel cable to make it stable and secure. Very soft and gentle. May have a limited lifespan.
LOW PORT MOUTH
This mouthpiece relieves pressure on the tongue while improving bar pressure. The port is not high enough to touch the roof of the mouth. It is suitable for horses who are more sensitive to tongue pressure.
HIGH PORT MOUTH
This mouthpiece gives room for the tongue and is designed to act on the roof of the mouth. A High Port pushes up into the roof of the mouth, forcing the mouth to open. It is considered severe.
KK CONRAD
Designed for Herm. Sprenger by the famous equestrian sculptor, Ulrich Conrad. The optimal shape of this mouthpiece follows the contours of the mouth to alleviate tongue pressure. The square port is angled forward by 45 degrees to avoid palate pressure. Very comfortable and effective.
HARTWELL
The specific shape of this mouthpiece is curved outwards (like a Mullen Mouth) while also featuring a port to relieve tongue pressure and to put more pressure on the bars of the mouth.
LOW PORT WITH ROLLERS
The low port relieves pressure on the tongue, while the addition of rollers encourages mouthing and relaxation. May help with horses who take hold of the bit for it simply rolls away. Rollers can be stainless or copper.
HANOVERIAN
A High Port Mouth with the addition of rollers is available as a jointed or fixed mouth. The rollers promote play and mouthing while the hinged port prevents the horse from getting its tongue over the bit. Rollers can be stainless or copper.
CHERRY ROLLER
A Straight Mouth with a series of rollers that encourage the horse to mouth the bit. A horse cannot take hold of this bit because the rollers just slip away. Rollers can be stainless or copper.
COSCOQUERO
This curved mouthpiece has a high port that acts on the roof of the mouth. The copper wheel gives the opportunity for play to keep the horse's interest. Commonly used in polo.
HOLLOW MOUTH PORT
The thick diameter of this mouthpiece gives a much gentler action against the bars, while the low port relieves pressure on the tongue. Being hollow, the weight of this mouthpiece is reduced.
LOW PORT WITH PLAYERS
Copper keys (or players) encourage interest and mouthing, which is especially useful in keeping a young horse’s mouth moist and its jaw relaxed.
SEGUNDO
The shape of this port (which tilts forward) allows the horse to put its tongue into the central hole. Not recommended for sensitive horses.
FIGURE EIGHT
The rotating double-ring attachment on this barmouth prevents the tongue from getting over the bit. We suggest that you check your current competition rulebook regarding the permissibility of this mouthpiece.