Understanding cheekpieces and how different styles affect your horse
Here at the Horse Bit Bank, we believe that putting the horse first should always guide your choices of tack, routine, feeding and work – and that includes their bit. A horse’s comfort, way of going and willingness to work are all interwoven with a bit that suits their needs and mouth confirmation, and that means learning all about how the different options work.
One of the key features that affects the action of a bit is the cheekpiece (also known as a sidepiece). The cheekpiece is the part of the bit that connects to the bridle cheek straps and to the reins. It can help stabilise the bit in the horse’s mouth and influence how much movement, poll pressure, lateral guidance or leverage is applied.
In this guide, we’re going to explore the most common types of bit cheekpieces you’ll see and explain why understanding their action is essential to finding the right bit for your horse.
Common types of bit cheekpieces
Loose Ring
The rings of this style of cheekpiece rotate freely through the mouthpiece, making them best for horses who need encouragement to relax the jaw and mouth the bit. We find they are useful for young horses, those who lean or those needing a soft, mobile feel.
Eggbutt
These are fixed, oval-shaped rings that attach directly to the mouthpiece, offering a steadier contact. They’re often best for horses who prefer a stiller bit and more consistent contact, so they are often used for horses new to work or those prone to fussiness with a loose ring, as well as for novice riders learning about the contact.
D-Ring (or dee-ring)
As the name suggests, these are D-shaped fixed cheekpieces, with the straight edge of the ‘D’ giving gentle lateral guidance. That’s why they are the choice for green horses needing support with turning, or riders wanting a stable, quiet feel in the contact.
Full Cheek
This style of cheekpiece has vertical ‘arms’ that extend above and below the mouthpiece that help to provide clear lateral guidance. Our customers love this style for young or green horses in training, horses who need more help turning or riders looking for extra steering control without using leverage.
Half Cheek (Half Spoon)
This style features a single arm (lower only) that prevents the bit sliding through the mouth. It’s more commonly seen in driving, on some racing bits and for riders who want some lateral stability without the bulk/upper arm of a full cheek.
Baucher/Hanging Cheek
A Baucher bit has a small fixed top ring that the cheekpieces attach to and to hold the bit in the mouth and then a lower ring for the reins to be buckled to. This design can be helpful for sensitive horses who do prefer a still, quiet bit.
Wilkie (Beval)
These are bits with larger rings for the cheekpieces that then have smaller rings inside them. That gives riders a range of options for where to secure the reins versus the bridle cheekpieces to create mild leverage. That’s why they’re often chosen for ponies or horses where a little more control is needed.
Pelham
This style of cheekpiece features a single shank with rings for the cheekpiece of the bridle to attach and rings for both a snaffle and a curb rein, creating combined action with leverage. Roundings can be fitted for riders who aren’t confident using two sets of reins but make the aids less precise. Pelhams are sold with curb chains which must be fitted properly for comfort – or taken off if the rider isn’t used to riding with a curb. A pelham is an option for horses and ponies who can be strong or need flexibility (particularly when ridden with two reins).
Kimblewick
This style features a D-shaped cheek with slotted rein positions for varying degrees of leverage and is fitted with a curb chain. Again, it allows the rider to alter the effect of the bit and the leverage it creates so that they have more control when needed, but without the complexity of two reins.
Double Bridles
A double bridle consists of two bits – the Bradoon and the Weymouth – which each give very different cheekpieces. The bradoon is a smaller bit that usually has loose ring or eggbutt snaffle sidepieces. The Weymouth is a shanked, fixed cheek bit with a curb chain for leverage and chin groove pressure. These are always ridden with two reins and should only be used by skilled riders for advanced dressage and some showing classes.
How cheekpiece choice affects your horse
The same mouthpiece can feel very different to your horse depending on the cheekpiece you pair it with. That’s why understanding cheekpiece action is so important when choosing a bit.
Here are some of the ways that cheekpiece choice can affect your horse:
● Stability in the mouth: Some horses prefer a stable, fixed feel (such as an eggbutt or Baucher), while others are happier with the mobility of a loose ring that encourages relaxation.
● Lateral guidance: Full cheeks, D-rings, and similar cheekpieces provide more steering support, which is useful for green horses or when schooling precise movements.
● Poll pressure: Certain cheekpieces (like a leverage bit) apply slight or more pronounced poll pressure. This can encourage the horse to lower and soften the poll, but it must be used thoughtfully and with the individual horse’s conformation and schooling in mind.
● Leverage and braking power: Bits such as Pelhams, Kimblewicks and Wilkies introduce leverage, giving you more control when needed. This can help with strong horses but should be introduced carefully and not used as a shortcut for training.
● Encouraging softness and seeking contact: The right combination of mouthpiece and cheekpiece can help your horse develop a confident, willing contact. That allows them to stretch, engage their topline and carry themselves in balance.
In short, choosing a bit with the right cheekpieces is about understanding what will make your horse feel comfortable, confident to pick up the contact and able to perform their best.
Our final top tips for choosing the right bit:
● Always start by thinking of the horse: what does this horse need at this stage of their training, fitness and way of going?
● Don’t choose a bit just because it’s fashionable or because it works for someone else’s horse. We know that every horse and every situation is different, so approach bitting with an open mind.
● If you are unsure what to try, it’s worth speaking to your trainer, a qualified bit fitter or our head honcho and bit oracle Jodie here at Horse Bit Bank.
● Our 30-day trial scheme is a great way to test what suits your horse, giving you the time to evaluate how they feel and respond.