Types of Bits: snaffle, gag, curb  What it is: Bit has 2 mouthpieces, each one single jointed and made of twisted wire. Action: The two joints amplify the nutcracker action. The wire makes the mouthpieces thin and sharp. The two mouthpieces cause extreme pressure on the bars. This bit is "very" severe, and should only be used by skilled riders with soft hands. Some people do not use these bits because they believe them to be cruel. Materials: Metals, usually stainless steel but also sweet iron and copper  Uses: "Not" permitted for dressage. Very severe, used on horses that are very strong. Types of bits: snaffle  What it is: As the name suggests, the mouthpiece is made out of a piece of chainsaw. Uses: "Extremely" severe, and quite uncommon. Most trainers will not use such a bit. Note: due to the extreme severity, most equestrian organizations do not permit this bit in competition. Types of Bits: snaffle, gag, curb  What it is: Bit has two mouthpieces, each one single jointed. Action: The two joints amplify the nutcracker action. They also cause extreme pressure on the bars. This bit is "very" severe, and should only be used by skilled riders with soft hands. Some people do not use these bits because they believe them to be cruel. Materials: Metals, usually stainless steel but also sweet iron and copper. Uses: "Not" permitted for dressage. Very severe, used on horses that are very strong. Types of bits: snaffle, pelham, gag  What it is: A mouthpiece (usually single jointed, but not always) that is hollow in the middle, making it very light. The mouthpiece is usually thicker than average. Action: The thick, hollow mouthpiece spreads out pressure, thought to make it less severe. However, this effect varies with the mouth structure of the individual horse. Some horses prefer a smaller diameter bit in their mouth because their mouths do not have room for the thick mouthpieces, and in such cases a hollow mouth bit may cause discomfort. Types of bits: snaffle, curb, gag, pelham  What it is: A cricket is a single roller placed within the port of a curb bit. usually containing copper, often producing a rattling or "cricket-like" sound when the horse moves it around. The cherry roller bit has multiple rollers along its mouthpiece and may be of steel, copper, or alternate between the two.