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Bits & Hackamores

Bits & Hackamores

Explore quality bits and hackamores at Saddle Up Colorado, featuring trusted options for training, performance, ranch work, and everyday riding. Our selection includes Western horse bits, curb bits, snaffle bits, hackamores, and combination designs to help improve communication, control, and responsiveness. Whether you're starting a young horse or fine-tuning performance, find durable equipment designed for comfort, effectiveness, and long-lasting reliability.

Tom Balding Long Shank Ace of Spades with Roller Bit

Have questions about a Bits & Hackamores?

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Western Bits
Western Bits

Shop premium Western bits at Saddle Up Colorado, featuring a wide selection of snaffle bits, curb bits, grazing bits, correction bits, and performance horse bits for riders of all experience levels. Designed to promote clear communication, responsiveness, and control, our Western bits are crafted for training, ranch work, trail riding, and competition. Find trusted brands and quality craftsmanship to help your horse perform at its best.

Hackamores
Hackamores

Shop quality hackamores at Saddle Up Colorado, offering effective bitless control for training, trail riding, ranch work, and performance riding. Designed to apply pressure to the nose, chin, and poll rather than the mouth, hackamores can provide a comfortable alternative for horses with sensitive mouths or specialized training needs. Browse a selection of Western hackamores built for durability, responsiveness, and clear communication between horse and rider.

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Gear That Supports the Ride

Designed to Perform

Whether you're introducing a bit for the first time or fine-tuning advanced cues, these bits and hackamores are built for clear communication. Made from durable materials like stainless steel and sweet iron, they hold up to regular use and provide consistent feel on the reins.

Gear That Supports the Ride

Comfort They Can Trust

Bit fit matters. Our selection includes single-jointed and double-jointed mouthpieces, shaped to sit comfortably in the horse’s mouth while reducing pressure on the tongue, lips, and lower jaw. We also carry hackamores for horses that need bitless control with nose and chin groove contact.

Gear That Supports the Ride

Trusted by Riders Like You

We understand how important it is to have the right feel. We choose bits and hackamores based on what works – reliable materials, balance, and comfortable designs for you and your horse.

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Feel, Fit, and Function

We focus on bits and hackamores that offer clear communication and a comfortable fit. Whether you’re starting a young horse or refining your cues, we can help.

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Thoughtfully Selected

Our tack collection is built around everyday use, comfort, and function.

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Personal Guidance

Our team is made up of real riders who can help you choose the right gear.

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Options for Every Horse

We’ve got gear to support every step of your horse’s training.

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Thoughtfully Selected

We choose pieces made with rider-trusted materials, like stainless steel or sweet iron.

Why Saddle Up Colorado?

Family-Owned, Rider-Run

Since 1997, we’ve helped riders choose gear that fits their horses and their goals. Our collection reflects years of experience and a commitment to doing right by both horse and rider.

Why Saddle Up Colorado?

Real Riders, Real Support

We’re here to help with honest guidance, whether you're choosing your horse’s first bit or exploring new options for advanced training.

Why Saddle Up Colorado?

Quality Selection

We focus on tack that’s made well and fits right, so you can ride comfortably, confidently, and without second-guessing your gear.

Why Saddle Up Colorado?

Small-Shop Care

We make it easy to shop wherever you are, while still offering personal service and answers from people who ride.

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Find Tack That Works for You

From everyday basics to well-made gear that lasts, our tack collection is built for riders who value comfort, durability, and a good fit. Browse our current selection and find the right pieces for your setup.

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A horse bit has a mouthpiece and cheekpieces that consist of a shank and a purchase or a ring. The bit sits inside a horse’s mouth and the cheekpiece or rings connect the headstall to the reins, giving the rider a way to communicate speed, direction, and collection through pressure and release. The right bit depends on your horse’s training level, mouth sensitivity, the discipline you ride and your riding level.

Saddle Up Colorado carries over 500 bits and hackamores from makers such as Tom Balding, Classic Equine, Dutton, and Reinsman. Whether you need a mild snaffle for a young horse, a correction bit for working equitation, or a bosal for bitless riding, we stock the range. Prices start as low as $25 for basic training snaffles and the sky's the limit with custom options from Tom Balding hand-engraved USA Made bits. We ship nationwide with free shipping on orders over $99.

Snaffle Bits for Training and Everyday Riding

Ring Snaffle bits are the starting point for most western horses. They work on direct pressure without leverage, making them a good introductory option in the bit family. A single-jointed snaffle creates a nutcracker action, while a 3-piece  or double-jointed (French link or dog bone) mouthpiece distributes pressure more evenly across the tongue and bars. O-ring snaffles, D-ring snaffles, and full-cheek designs each handle differently depending on how much lateral guidance your horse needs. For trail riding and pleasure, a basic loose-ring or D-ring snaffle with a copper or sweet iron mouth encourages salivation and soft acceptance.

Curb Bits, Correction Bits, and Leverage Designs

Once a horse reliably responds to a snaffle, many western riders transition to a curb bit with shanks. Shanks introduce leverage, amplifying rein signals through the curb strap under the chin. Port height matters: a low port gives tongue relief without strong palate pressure, while a high port or spade applies more signal and requires a well-trained horse. Correction bits combine a jointed mouthpiece with shanks, giving independent side movement plus leverage. These work well for horses that lean on the bit or need sharper lateral cues. We carry stainless steel and sweet iron options from Tom Balding, Dutton, and Classic Equine across a range of shank lengths and port heights.

Hackamores, Bosals, and Bitless Options

Not every horse goes best in a metal bit. A hackamore applies pressure to the nose, chin, and poll instead of the mouth. Mechanical hackamores use shanks for leverage and work well for horses with mouth injuries or sensitivity. A bosal (rawhide noseband used with a mecate rein) is the traditional vaquero choice for starting young horses and building lightness before transitioning to a bit. Side pulls offer direct-rein steering without any leverage, making them a solid option for young horses or casual trail riding. Browse headstalls and bridles to pair with your hackamore or bit choice.

How to Choose the Right Horse Bit

No competitor category page provides a structured bit-selection framework. This section is Saddle Up’s SERP gap differentiator.

Horse’s Stage

Recommended Bit

Mouthpiece

Material

Best For

Green / Young

O-ring snaffle

Double-jointed (dog bone)

Sweet iron / copper

Starting, groundwork

Intermediate

D-ring snaffle or low-port curb

Single-joint or low port

Stainless steel

Trail, pleasure, ranch

Finished / Trained

Curb bit with shanks

Medium port, roller

Stainless or sweet iron

Reining, roping, showing

Heavy / Resistant

Correction bit

Jointed + leverage shanks

Stainless steel

Corrective training

Mouth-Sensitive

Hackamore or bosal

No mouthpiece

Rawhide, leather, metal

Bitless riding, rehab

 

In 29 years of fitting saddles and helping riders choose tack, we’ve found that the biggest mistake is jumping to a stronger bit when the real issue is saddle fit or training. A horse that tosses its head or fights the bit may have a pressure point from a tree that doesn’t match its back. Before upgrading to a correction bit, it’s worth ruling out fit issues with a saddle fitting.

Why Buy Horse Bits From Saddle Up Colorado?

Saddle Up Colorado stocks 475 bits and hackamores from premium and working-grade brands. Tom Balding bits are handmade in Sheridan, Wyoming and known for balanced feel and durability. Classic Equine and Dutton offer strong value across snaffle, curb, and correction styles. Our team in Gilcrest, Colorado can help you match the right bit to your horse’s mouth, training stage, and discipline. Call (303) 772-7821 and talk to someone who’s handled thousands of bit-and-bridle combinations. Pair your bit with the right horse reins or browse complete tack sets to outfit your horse.

Browse our full collection of horse bits and hackamores above, or call Saddle Up Colorado at (303) 772-7821 for help choosing the right bit. We ship nationwide with free shipping on qualifying orders. Visit our Gilcrest, Colorado store to try bits in hand and get advice from riders who use this tack every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a snaffle bit and a curb bit?

A snaffle bit uses direct pressure on the horse’s mouth with no leverage. When you pull the right rein, pressure goes to the right side of the mouth. A curb bit adds shanks that create leverage through a curb strap under the chin, amplifying the signal. Snaffles are generally milder and used for training, while curb bits are used on more finished horses for one-handed riding.

What type of horse bit is best for a beginner horse?

A smooth, double-jointed snaffle bit is the most common starting point for green or young horses. The double joint distributes pressure more evenly than a single-jointed snaffle. Sweet iron or copper mouthpieces encourage salivation, which helps the horse accept the bit. An O-ring or D-ring cheekpiece gives clear lateral signals without catching on the lips.

What does sweet iron do in a horse bit?

Sweet iron is a type of steel that naturally oxidizes and develops a light rust layer over time. This oxidation creates a sweet taste that promotes salivation, encouraging the horse to mouth the bit and stay soft in the jaw. Sweet iron bits are popular in western riding because the natural flavor improves acceptance without added coatings.

When should I switch from a snaffle to a curb bit?

Most western trainers transition once a horse responds consistently to a snaffle with light rein pressure, flexes at the poll, and carries itself in balance without leaning on the bit. This typically happens between 3 and 5 years of age, depending on the horse’s training progression. The transition is usually gradual, starting with a low-port curb or short-shanked bit.

What is a hackamore and when should I use one?

A hackamore is a bitless headstall that applies pressure to the nose, chin, and poll instead of inside the mouth. Mechanical hackamores use shanks for leverage. Bosals are rawhide nosebands paired with mecate reins for direct pressure. Hackamores are a good choice for horses with mouth injuries, dental issues, or sensitivity, and for the vaquero approach to starting young horses. Saddle Up Colorado carries both styles in our bits and hackamores collection.