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Cheek Types of Carriage Driving Bits
LIVERPOOL
The most widely used of all driving bits. It can be made with a variety of mouthpieces in either 2-slot or 3-slot. The mouthpiece can be made to slide up and down on the cheek. This sliding feature, known as a pump cheek or sliding mouth, is often preferred because it tends to keep the horse’s mouth more responsive. Accompanied by a curb chain, the Liverpool bit offers a variety of rein settings for maximum adjustability.
REIN SETTINGS
FIXED CHEEK
The mouthpiece and cheeks are welded together so that the cheeks are not allowed to swivel. Designed to be used with a pair of horses to avoid the pinching that can occur with the coupling rein.
POST or BUTTERFLY
This popular cheek can be made with a variety of mouthpieces. Also available in a pony Butterfly cheek which is a smaller version suited to the smaller pony head. The 2-loop version of the Post or Butterfly cheek has limited rein placement options for less adjustability than other types of driving cheeks.
BOTTOM BAR LIVERPOOL
A variation on the Liverpool cheek. Useful when used with multiples as the bottom bar prevents the cheeks from getting tangled up with those of adjoining horses. Fixed or swivel cheeks are available.
BUXTON
Elaborate in appearance, these bits are reserved for formal turnouts such as a Gig, Mail or Stanhope Phaeton, Park Drag, or a coachman-driven carriage. The cheeks are curved at the middle slot and are joined below the bottom slot by a curved bottom bar.
GIG
A straight cheek style, full dress bit used specifically with a single horse formal Gig turnout. The cheeks feature loops for a variety of rein settings and are joined below the bottom loop by a curved bottom bar. This bit can be made with a variety of mouthpieces.
ELBOW or MILITARY
The cheeks are set back at a square angle so that a horse can't seize the bit with its teeth or lips. This cheek design also prevents pinching of the lips which makes it well suited for pair driving. The action is very similar to a Liverpool.
HINGED LIVERPOOL
Also known as a Tulip shank bit, this cheek features a hinged upper arm to which the bridle is attached. The curb chain hooks are attached to an extension of the cheeks, rather than on the bridle loops. Poll pressure on the horse is eliminated by the hinged arm. Tom Ryder notes in his classic book, On the Box Seat, that "this bit is of greater severity than the normal type of curb and requires sensitive and light hands."
HALF-CHEEK LIVERPOOL
A variation on the Liverpool cheek. Useful when used with a pair of horses as the swivel half-cheek prevents the pinching that can occur with the action of the coupling rein. This bit can be made with a variety of mouthpieces.
WILSON 4-RING SNAFFLE
A loose ring snaffle with the addition of two floating rings inside the cheek rings for attaching the cheekpieces of the bridle. Reins are usually attached to both rings. If the reins are attached to the fixed rings only, this bit can become very severe, as it will press the horse's face between the cheekpiece rings.
HALF SPOON
The lack of adjustability by only having one rein setting makes this cheek limited in its function. The spoon offers some directional aid and prevents the bit from being pulled through the mouth. This bit does not offer the option of a curb.
