Aster

About Aster bits

Aster is a rider-led bit brand. Its designs use slim joints, 13.5 mm thick, intended for the narrower jaws of many modern horses, and come in golden copper, titanium (including pink titanium) and sweet iron. Aster chooses copper for horses that need encouragement to relax and soften, and titanium for its light weight on sensitive horses.

Each Aster range is built around a type of horse. From the product notes:

• Confidence has a lock-up joint, single or double jointed, for horses that are reluctant to take a steady contact or feel unsettled in other bits.
• Clarity is for established horses that feel vague or inconsistent and need a more stable contact.
• Gentle and Gentle Curve suit horses that tense through the lips or jaw, or have sensitive bars or tongue. Lift covers similar horses that are also heavy or leaning in the hand.
• Contour is for horses that dislike a central joint, or lean and push against the bit with the tongue.
• Buffer suits horses that dislike any movement in the bit but will not tolerate a traditional port, including those with fleshy mouths.

Most Aster bits we stock are bauchers and fixed rings, with loose rings, eggbutts, full cheeks, Kimblewicks and balance cheek universals as well. If you are new to the baucher, our guide to the hanging cheek bit explains why it holds the mouthpiece so still. The universal bit guide covers the balance cheek models.

Many of the metal bits, the Aster range included, can go on our 30 day Bit Bank trial, so you can try a range on your own horse before you buy.