Working Equitation Bits 

Working Equitation is a skilled equestrian discipline that combines various elements to test both the horse and rider’s training and abilities and celebrate the cultural heritage of traditional equestrian practices.
Origins and Purpose:
Working Equitation originated from the working practices of horsemen in different countries. These horsemen used horses for practical tasks on farms or ranches, such as herding cattle. The sport aims to showcase traditional riding styles, costumes, and equipment from various countries while preserving their cultural heritage It promotes competition between the traditional riding styles used during fieldwork.

Discipline/Classes:Dressage Trial: Similar to traditional dressage, the horse and rider perform a series of predetermined movements in a designated arena. The emphasis is on harmony, precision, and elegance.Ease of Handling Trial: In this trial, the horse and rider navigate a course with various obstacles, such as gates, bridges, and side-passing poles. Smoothness, precision, and control are essential as they tackle each obstacle.Speed Trial: Competitors complete a course of obstacles against the clock.
Cattle Handling Trial: Reflecting the discipline’s historical roots, this trial showcases the horse and rider’s ability to work with livestock.

At the most advanced level, the rider must ride with just one hand on the reins.

International Recognition: Working Equitation became a competitive sport in 1996, initiated by Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal.

It is now recognized and practiced in more than 35 countries worldwide.

The World Association for Working Equitation governs the discipline internationally, while each country has its own association to set competition rules and support its development.

Working Equitation Bits

Bitting wise we are relatively new to Working Equitation in the UK but we have progressed certainly on our own yard to become quite proficient and so far have been riding in Snaffles but I am working on a range of bits that will feature comfortable mouthpieces with appropriate Cheek pieces as riders move on to more advanced levels 

Fixed Cheek Snaffles 

Because we are fairly new to the top end of Working Equitation Competitions we are primarily riding in snaffles but as people are progressing we will have to ride one handed in Curb or Leverage bits

So I personally think that the Snaffles we use should be as supportive as possible so I am tending to Bit Horses for Working Equitqaion into Eggbutt or D or Hanging Cheek Snaffles to get the maximum out of using a Snaffle 

Harmony Eggbutt 

The Harmony mouthpiece creates a smooth even curve around the Horses tongue and the roof of the mouth it actively encourages a horse to take the rein forward but as the curve it shallow it sets a parameter for the frame.

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As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece wraps around the tongue and lower jaw, evenly taking in the whole of the tongue, the sides of the bars and the sides of the lips in a perfect hoop. As the Round Lozenge is the correct length and the joints are neat and non-invasive the Horse should move forward into the contact. Both branches of the bit are curved forward to accommodate the shape of the Horse’s mouth conformation.

Very useful for Horses or Ponies that are uncomfortable with

• A large joint or joints·

• Large long plates or lozenges

• That block on one side as you flex or turn

• Or are busy in the mouth

• Or have been pinched with a mouthpiece that has a severe close to the action

The Liberty has the most generous forward curve of all my mouthpieces and was new to the range for 2019 I have extensively researched how much or how little curve you need to help different Horses to be able to respond well and move forward and after prototyping the Liberty I am so pleased with the results

It has really soft curve forward and feels very even into the riders hands

Very useful for

• Young Horses bitted for the first time

• Iberian Horses that are head high and reluctant to take the rein forward

• Started badly and are frightened of their mouths

• Horses that have been started on head pressures and are now being introduced to a bit

• Any Horse that is not strong and needs to be bitted very comfortably and forward

• Any Horse that worries about tongue pressure and puts its tongue over the bit

The Harmony mouthpiece creates a smooth even curve around the Horses tongue and the roof of the mouth it actively encourages a horse to take the rein forward but as the curve it shallow it sets a parameter for the frame.

As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece wraps around the tongue and lower jaw, evenly taking in the whole of the tongue, the sides of the bars and the sides of the lips in a perfect hoop. As the Round Lozenge is the correct length and the joints are neat and non-invasive the Horse should move forward into the contact. Both branches of the bit are curved forward to accommodate the shape of the Horse’s mouth conformation.
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Very useful for Horses or Ponies that are uncomfortable with

• A large joint or joints

• Large long plates or lozenges

• That block on one side as you flex or turn

• That are more confident with a supportive still cheek against the face

• That work well with a jaw strap that if you need you are able to use on a Hanging cheek

• That like a bit to be still and stay in the same place in the mouth

The Harmony mouthpiece creates a smooth even curve around the Horses tongue and the roof of the mouth it actively encourages a horse to take the rein forward but as the curve it shallow it sets a parameter for the frame.

As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece wraps around the tongue and lower jaw, evenly taking in the whole of the tongue, the sides of the bars and the sides of the lips in a perfect hoop. As the Round Lozenge is the correct length and the joints are neat and non-invasive the Horse should move forward into the contact. Both branches of the bit are curved forward to accommodate the shape of the Horse’s mouth conformation.

Very useful for -

• Horses that are doing lots of jobs and need a comfortable forward encouraging mouthpiece with a supportive cheek

• ​The D cheek helps with Horses that are young or re training and need an all-round training bit to start in and then to carry on with work

• Horses that are being trained from the floor and need a simple comfortable bit with support and release and reward

I am working on a few more ideas for my Working Equitation Range of Bits

But in order to get your Horse used to Leverage or Curb Pressure here are a few ideas 

Using a Mini Edgeware or a Pelham should be a transitional and gradual process

You chose the mouthpiece that suits your Horse sensitivities and stage of training and then choose the cheekpiece that best suits your way of riding Choosing a shorter cheek for the very sensitive Horses and slightly longer for the slightly stronger ones 

Start off with Pelham Roundings to get you both used to the feel of creating a new frame and way of going 

Then start practicing riding with two reins for a couple of days a week so you strengthen your fingers and it becomes easier to use two reins individually without putting you or your Horse under too much pressure 

Then start just using the bottom rein you could keep your top rein on to start with so you have the advantage of being able to use it as you are getting used to the feel of more leverage 

Then at competitions you can ride in two reins to work in and then take your top rein off as you get ready to go into the arena 

Harmony Mini Edgeware 

Harmony Mini Edgeware

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Was the first Jumping Schooling bit that I made I had a good range of Snaffles and Doubles and Pelhams but nothing in between it took a while to get the balance of the cheek right but after lots of trailing it ended up exactly how I wanted it to work.

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The Harmony mouthpiece is 13mm in diameter and has a round lozenge and joints that go with the shape of the tongue it encourages a horse to move towards the mouthpiece but because of the balance of pressures discourages the Horse from getting too strong or set on the mouthpiece. As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece wraps around the tongue and lower jaw, it has a structured feel in the centre of the tongue to dissuade the horse from leaning on the bit. It has a generous forward curve to go with the conformation inside the mouth and to stop the mouthpiece pinching the sides of the jaw.


Very useful for Horses or Ponies that need to

• Pay more heed to the mouthpiece

• Are just a little strong for a Snaffle and need a little more

• That block on one side as you flex or turn

• For young or retraining Horses that are strong in a Snaffle and need comfortable signals to train them to be lighter in the bridle

• For Horses that are polite in the school but more enthusiastic when they are out and about

• Working Equitation when you want to ride with two reins on a well balanced lever age cheek ​​

Mini Edgeware Cheek

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​It is exactly the same proportions above and below the mouthpiece so it sends the Horse to the end of the rein
It is very important to have good balance when you create a cheek piece The part of the cheek above the mouthpiece [the purchase] creates upper head and upper jaw pressure and the part of the cheekpiece below the mouthpiece [the shank] creates lower jaw pressure.

In order to send the Horse to the end of the rein and give good release and reward for work done these two measurements must create balance This cheek must always be used with a balance strap or chain never without as this brings to bear a third point of pressure on the upper part of the lower jaw as the bit is used without a balance strap the bit will not work as it was designed to.

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Rein Handling and options

This bit will come with a pair of Pelham Roundings of your colour choice and a leather jaw / balance strap in the same colour.It can also be ridden with two reins instead of Rounding’s and instead of a jaw / balance strap Quick links and a Chain ~I think it is important to have options so you might consider Schooling with two reins and Jumping using the Roundings and using the Jaw Strap sometimes but having the option of using a chain if the Horse is quite strong

Precision Mini Edgeware 

Precision Mini Edgeware

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After the success of the Precision Mouthpieces with an Eggbutt, a Loose Ring and a D Cheek I added this Mini Edgeware Cheek into the range in 2022 and I am thrilled with the feed back on it.

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The Precision mouthpiece is a combination of a generous forward curve to the branches of the mouthpiece, small non-invasive turned joints and an Oval Lozenge that is rounded on the roof of the mouth and Oval on the tongue side
The feel for the Horse and into the Riders hand is one of encouraging the Horse forward into the bit but when it gets there they should lighten up and yield and flex to the Riders signals ​

Very useful for Horses or Ponies that

• Need to Pay more heed to the mouthpiece

• Are just a bit strong for a Snaffle and need a little more

• Are in a Precision Snaffle and need another bit added in to the equation

• For Horses that are polite in the school but more enthusiastic when they are out and about

Mini Edgeware Cheek

​It is exactly the same proportions above and below the mouthpiece so it sends the Horse to the end of the rein
It is very important to have good balance when you create a cheek piece The part of the cheek above the mouthpiece [the purchase] creates upper head and upper jaw pressure and the part of the cheekpiece below the mouthpiece [the shank] creates lower jaw pressure.

In order to send the Horse to the end of the rein and give good release and reward for work done these two measurements must create balance This cheek must always be used with a balance strap or chain never without as this brings to bear a third point of pressure on the upper part of the lower jaw as the bit is used without a balance strap the bit will not work as it was designed to.

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Rein Handling and options

This bit will come with a pair of Pelham Roundings of your colour choice and a leather jaw / balance strap in the same colour.It can also be ridden with two reins instead of Rounding’s and instead of a jaw / balance strap Quick links and a Chain ~I think it is important to have options so you might consider Schooling with two reins and Jumping using the Roundings and using the Jaw Strap sometimes but having the option of using a chain if the Horse is quite strong

Clarity Edgeware 

The Clarity Edgeware

The Clarity mouthpiece is one of my schooling mouthpieces it is 14mm in diameter and has a round lozenge the joints are turned to give a little more feel to the action of the mouthpiece it encourages a horse to move towards the bit but because of the structure of the joints discourages the Horse from getting too strong or set on the mouthpiece. As the reins are used together the whole mouthpiece is pulled around the tongue and lower jaw, the mouthpiece has a structured feel in the centre of the tongue to dissuade the horse from leaning on the bit. It has a generous forward curve to stop the mouthpiece pinching the lower bars of the mouth.

• very useful for Horses or Ponies that need to
• pay more heed to signals and to yield in the frame
• are quite strong for a Snaffle and need a little more
• have a history of stepping up the pace when it powers up

Edgeware Cheek

It is very important to have good balance when you create a cheek piece. The part of the cheek above the mouthpiece ]the purchase] creates upper head and upper jaw pressure and the part of the cheekpiece below the mouthpiece [the shank] creates lower jaw pressure.

In order to send the Horse to the end of the rein and give good release and reward for work done these two measurements must create balance. This cheek must always be use with a curb strap or chain never without this brings to bear a third point of pressure on the upper part of the lower jaw as the bit is used.

The strap is put on the same ring as the cheek piece on purpose so the action is carried high and is therefore well balanced.

Rein Handling and options

This bit will come with a pair of Pelham Roundings of your colour choice and a leather jaw / balance strap in the same colour.
It can also be ridden with two reins instead of Rounding’s and instead of a jaw / balance strap Quick links and a Chain
~I think it is important to have options so you might consider Schooling with two reins and Jumping using the Roundings and using the Jaw Strap sometimes but having the option of using a chain if the Horse is quite strong

How to Fit an Edgeware 

The jaw strap or balance strap is meant to be high on the jaw. The higher up the jaw you go the more the Horse stretches to the end of the neck and rolls over at the end of the frame.

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To fit you get hold of the lower rings and gently pull back towards the chest at the cheek turns to 45% the strap should snuggly tuck into the jaw and stop the cheek turning any more. Too loose and the cheek turns too much too tight and the Horse does not get enough release and reward.

I did not design this bit to be used without a strap or a chain it does not work or balance correctly. So please done use it with out one or

the other 

Contour Pelham 

The Contour is a slightly thicker 14mm very rounded comfortable Lozenge with lots of release and reward built into the design of the mouthpiece and It makes a really nice Pelham

The cheek is well balanced and gives an overall even balance of three pressures with excellent release and reward to give good clear understandable signals

The chain is carried well on the upper part of the lower jaw encouraging the Horse to reach forward into the contact but dissuades it from hanging and encourages lightness

Very useful for any Horse or Pony that has

• Been pinched by a mouthpiece in the past

• Needs to take up a more even contact in the reins

• Needs more directional support

• Needs to have a bit more lightness in its frame

High Top Accent Show Pelham 

The High Top Accent Show Pelhams mouthpiece has a definite feel to the underside of the port to ask for a yield and allows the Horse a little more tongue room in the centre of the bit and the forward curve to the bar of the mouthpiece allows for jaw and tongue room behind the bit. As the bottom reins are used the whole mouthpiece rotates onto the tongue pressing the tongue down into the lower jaw until it reaches the bars of the mouth, with this mouthpiece the tongue has plenty of room to move up and fill the space created by the port and the forward curve of the mouthpiece.

Very useful for Horses that are:

• Have a still mouth and at times heavy feel on the rein

• That need tongue room but with a little extra in the centre

• That have gone heavily in a very thick mouthpiece with a low port and you are changing for more room and less bit and more yield

The High Top Cheek carries the chain well on the back of the lower jaw and sits the bit up in the mouth with good release and reward as the Horse yeilds

Finesse Mini Show Pelham 

The Finesse Mini Show Pelhamthe mouthpiece is an even feel for the Horse or Pony right across the whole of the tongue and lower jaw in a round curved sweep This particular Pelham is a Show Pelham built on a 4 3/4 Cheek so looks especially good on a small neat face of either a Pony or of a Horse that is very elegant and has a neat small mouth and especially good with a Horse with a short smile This Pelham will not work on larger Horses that need a substantial cheek

Often Mouthpieces and Cheekpieces are out of proportion on Pony Heads or elegant small faced Horses with mouthpieces too thick and cheekpieces too long

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Suitable for Horses or Ponies that need

• An even feel across the inside of the mouth

• To sit up in the Bridle

• To be a little lighter in the frame

• a neat small look to the bridle to complement a pretty face