Classic Equine

When you’re running at checks, run with the best. The Sherry Cervi Signature Bit Collection from Classic Equine offers countless mouthpiece and shank options to fit your every need. Each bit has an excellent feel for quick pickup and release.

“I see a lot of barrel racers who reach for the most severe bit in the trailer at the slightest sign of resistance from their horse,” Cervi shares. “Always start mile and work your way up only if needed. Mild bits are best for teaching young horses to yield to pressure while building confidence and establishing correct body position. I start with my smooth D-ring snaffle and then move up to the Diamond Draw series.”

-Sherry Cervi

Sherry’s preferences on bit adjustment:

• Adjust for one “wrinkle” at the corners of the mouth to allow the bit to contact the mouth before the curb action comes into play.
• If you need more contact, tighten the bridle’s adjustment by one hole.
• Keep the curb loose; ideally, it just holds the bit. A two-finger fit is best because it’s not too tight and allows the bit to do its job.
• Young horses especially need less curb contact.

Shank Otions

Mouthpiece Options

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Shank Options

Diamond D Ring

“This D-ring is great for a variety of uses, from colts to seasoned horses,” Cervi says. “The limited leverage is easy on a horse’s mouth.”
• Snaffle-style rings.
• Limited leverage for a soft mouth.
• Use to start colts and to tune-up finished horses.
• Browned iron or stainless steel, both with detailed design.

Diamond Short Shank

““I find this shank most useful for starting horses and those with sensitive mouths that don’t need a lot of bit,” Cervi advises. “It encourages more bending and flexing to achieve more nose control.”
• 6” shank.
• Use to start colts or on horses with sensitive mouths that don’t need a lot of bit.
• Offers complete rate, as well as more bend, flexion and lift for turns.
• Browned iron or stainless steel.

Diamond Short Shank II

“I find this shank most useful for starting horses and those with sensitive mouths that don’t need a lot of bit,” Cervi advises. “It encourages more bending and flexing to achieve more nose control. It’s exactly the same as the Diamond Short Shank, but with limited gag action.”
• 6” shank.
• Good transition from a snaffle to a gag bit because it offers limited gag action.
• Use to start colts or on horses with sensitive mouths that don’t need a lot of bit.
• Offers complete rate, as well as more bend, flexion and lift for turns.
• Browned iron or stainless steel.

Diamond Long Shank

“The longer shanks are better for older horses,” Cervi says. “The long shank offers more lift and more rate in turns. It also allows for more ‘whoa’ when you need it.”
• 7.5” shank.
• Better for older horses.
• Long shank provides more lift, rate in turns, and more whoa.
• Browned Iron or stainless steel

Diamond Long Shank II

“The longer shanks are better for older horses,” Cervi says. “The long shank offers more lift and more rate in turns. It also allows for more ‘whoa’ when you need it. It’s exactly the same as the Diamond long Shank, but with limited gag action.”
• 7.5” shank.
• Better for older horses.
• Limited gag action.
• Long shank provides more lift, rate in turns, and more whoa.
• Browned Iron or stainless steel

Mouthpiece Options

Twisted Wire Dogbone

“This is a great bit for older horses,” Cervi shares. “It’s ‘broken in three pieces in the mouthpiece, which allows it to be less severe and lay comfortable in your horse’s mouth.”

Key Features:
• Multi-jointed design allows for pressure on the corners of the mouth and, to some extent, the bars.
• Applies tongue pressure.
• Direct contact.
• Ideal for older horses.
• Can be a transitional bit from a traditional snaffle.

Small Twisted Wire Dogbone

“This is a great bit for older horses,” Cervi shares. “It provides more direct contact with zero delay. The small twist offers more signal, which makes it idea in a big arena when you might need more control.”

Key Features:
• Multi-jointed design allows for pressure on the corners of the mouth and, to some extent, the bars.
• Applies tongue pressure.
• Direct contact.
• Small twist provides more signal.
• Ideal for colts when adding speed to their pattern.

Twisted Wire Snaffle

Chain

“Many horses like chain bits,” Cervi says. “They can be ideal for colts when teaching them to get the correct bend, flex and control around a barrel.”

Key Features:
• Sweet iron helps the horse salivate more and accept the bit, thanks to its palatable taste.
• Good for colts.
• Helps achieve bend, flex and control.

Square Bar with Life Saver

Smooth Snaffle

“A smooth snaffle is a staple for every tack room,” Cervi says. “A good one can go from your colts just getting started to your older horses that need to go back to basics.”

Key Features:
• Softer mouthpiece for sensitive mouths.
• Use for colts or mature horses.

Square Snaffle

“When I need to back a horse off the bit or slow down and experienced horse, I reach for my square snaffle,” Cervi says. “It can help stop pushiness as well as work on footwork and body flexion.”

Key Features:
• Use on all ages of horses.
• Helps slow down experienced horses, alleviates pushiness.
• Use when working on flexion and footwork

Diamond Draw

“The draw bit comes as a complete setup,” Cervi explains. “It has a rolled-leather headstall, and the gag action won’t scare your horse. Instead, it gags before the bit even makes contact.”
• Copper-wrapped mouthpiece.
• Use on colts to slow them down and refine footwork and foundational training.
• Gag action is applied before the bit makes contact.

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