There are basically only two kinds of bits — the snaffle (with no shanks) and the curb (with shanks). Plus, there’s the Pelham, which combines a snaffle and curb, but there are hundreds of different variations on these two basic types. A so-called double bridle, used by some English riders, polo players and other equestrian competitions like dressage, actually has two bits — a curb and a snaffle — in the horse’s mouth.
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