The Level Best for Your Horse
English and Western bits sorted by Myler level, from Level 1 comfort snaffles to ported Level 3 bits, plus combination bits and curb straps.
By the Tack of the Day Product Team · Updated October 2026
Myler sorts its bits into four levels, from Level 1 comfort snaffles for young horses to Level 3 ported curbs for finished horses, and builds most of its mouthpieces around a center barrel so each side can move on its own. Pick the level that matches your horse's training, then the mouthpiece, then the cheek or shank your discipline needs.
Every Myler bit is named for its mouthpiece, and every mouthpiece sits on one level of Myler's ladder. The higher the level, the more room the mouthpiece leaves for the tongue and the more the bit works on the bars, poll and chin instead.
Most Myler mouthpieces are built around a center barrel. Myler calls it Independent Side Movement: each side of the bit moves on its own, so lifting one rein sends a clear signal to that side of the mouth. Most Level 1 and Level 2 mouthpieces have it; Level 2/3 and Level 3 come with or without it.
Step 1
Level 1
Tongue relief: least
Step 2
Level 2
Tongue relief: some
Step 3
Level 2/3
Tongue relief: more
Step 4
Level 3
Tongue relief: most
Take the Myler 5 1/2" MBT Shank Low Port Comfort Snaffle MB 04. MB 04 is the mouthpiece and decides the level (Level 2). MBT Shank is the cheek, the part that decides how the bit works with the reins. 5 1/2" on a shank bit is the shank length; the mouthpiece width is the size you choose at checkout. Compare mouthpieces first, then cheeks.
Myler is a system, not a guarantee. Riders tell us some horses love a Myler from the first ride and others sour on it after a few weeks, and a horse that chews through everything may be happier trialing a mouthpiece shape in a lower-cost bit first. Compare bits from every brand, including Herm Sprenger and Happy Mouth.
Myler Level 1 bits are the simplest place to start a horse early in its training: jointed comfort snaffles that rotate onto the tongue. The MB 02 wide-barrel Comfort Snaffle is the one most riders start with.
| Mouthpiece | Shape | Pick it for | English cheeks we carry | Western |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 02Comfort Snaffle, wide barrel | Jointed, with a wide center barrel | The classic Myler starter, on more English and Western cheeks than any other Level 1 mouthpiece | loose ring, eggbutt, English dee, baucher, full cheek, bradoon, pelham | combination, Western dee, shanks |
| MB 01Comfort Snaffle, narrow barrel | Jointed, with a narrower center barrel | The same idea as the MB 02 with a slimmer center barrel, on loose rings, Western dees, shanks and a combination | loose ring, English dee | combination, Western dee, shanks |
| MB 03Comfort Snaffle with copper roller | Jointed barrel with a copper roller | Busy mouths that like something to play with; the MB 03T adds a twist | eggbutt, English dee, full cheek, kimberwicke | Western dee, shanks |
| MB 09Single joint | Single-jointed snaffle | Disciplines and classes that ask for a single joint; the MB 09T is twisted | loose ring, English dee | Western dee, shanks |
| MB 10French link | Double-jointed French link | Horses already happy in a French link, in an English loose ring or eggbutt | loose ring, eggbutt | — |
Myler Level 2 bits add a little tongue relief for horses moving along in their training. The MB 04 Low Port Comfort Snaffle is the best-selling Myler mouthpiece at Tack of the Day, on English cheeks, Western shanks and combination bits.
| Mouthpiece | Shape | Pick it for | English cheeks we carry | Western |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 04Low Port Comfort Snaffle | Barrel with a small port that rotates on the tongue | The default step up from an MB 02 when a horse wants a little more room for its tongue; English cheeks, Western shanks and combinations | loose ring, eggbutt, English dee, full cheek, bradoon, pelham | combination, Western dee, shanks |
| MB 32Mullen barrel | Mullen-style barrel mouthpiece, no center joint | Horses that go better without a joint, mostly on Western dees and shanks; the MB 32-3 is the triple-barrel version | eggbutt, English dee | combination, Western dee, shanks |
Myler Level 2/3 bits give more tongue relief than a Level 2 without jumping straight to Level 3. Most are Western shank bits; the MB 06 and MB 36 also come on English rings, eggbutts and dees.
| Mouthpiece | Shape | Pick it for | English cheeks we carry | Western |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 36Forward Tilt Ported Mullen | Mullen with a port tilted forward | The Level 2/3 mouthpiece we carry in the most styles: English rings and dees, combinations and Western shanks | loose ring, eggbutt, English dee, kimberwicke | combination, shanks |
| MB 06Mullen with low port | Mullen with a low port | An English-friendly Level 2/3 on loose rings, eggbutts, dees and a bradoon | loose ring, eggbutt, English dee, bradoon | shanks |
| MB 43LP / MP / HPNarrow ported barrel | Narrow barrel with a low, medium or high port | A narrower ported barrel in three port heights, mostly on Western shanks and dees | English dee, Weymouth | Western dee, shanks |
| MB 41PB / 41PBWCorrectional port | Myler's correctional port; PBW is the wide version | Western shank, dee and combination bits for horses ready for more tongue relief | English dee | combination, shanks |
| MB 27 / 27PB / 27HPCorrectional, low or high port | Correctional mouthpiece with a low or high port | Western flat and seven shanks, and an English dee | — | shanks |
Myler Level 3 bits leave the most room for the tongue and work mainly on the bars, poll and chin. They are built for horses further along in their training, and the MB 33 comes on more cheeks than any other Level 3 mouthpiece.
| Mouthpiece | Shape | Pick it for | English cheeks we carry | Western |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB 33Medium wide ported barrel | Barrel with a medium-height, wide port | Horses that need real tongue room, on shanks, combinations, pelhams, kimberwickes and English dees | eggbutt, English dee, baucher, full cheek, pelham, kimberwicke, Weymouth | combination, Western dee, shanks |
| MB 33 WLWide low ported barrel | Barrel with a wide, low port | English riders who want Level 3 tongue room on a loose ring, eggbutt or dee | loose ring, eggbutt, English dee | — |
| MB 05 / MB 12Low medium or low narrow port | Ported curb mouthpieces | Western shank and dee bits with a lower port | — | Western dee, shanks |
| MB 16 / MB 16PBWide high port | High, wide port | The most tongue relief in the line, on Western shanks and an English Weymouth | Weymouth | shanks |
The cheek decides how a Myler mouthpiece works with your reins. Snaffle cheeks act directly on the mouth; shanks, combinations, pelhams and Weymouths add leverage through a curb strap and the poll. English riders mostly choose loose rings, eggbutts, dees and bauchers; Western riders choose shanks and combinations.
| Cheek | How it works | Myler mouthpieces we carry it on |
|---|---|---|
| Loose Ring (O-Ring)English | The ring turns freely, so the mouthpiece moves with the horse's mouth | MB 01, MB 02, MB 04, MB 06, MB 09, MB 09T and 3 more |
| EggbuttEnglish | A fixed joint that keeps the mouthpiece steady and is less likely to pinch the corners of the mouth | MB 02, MB 03, MB 04, MB 06, MB 10, MB 32 and 3 more |
| D-RingEnglish & Western | Flat-sided rings that sit still and help with steering; Myler makes English and Western dees | MB 01, MB 02, MB 03, MB 04, MB 05, MB 06 and 12 more |
| BaucherEnglish | A hanging cheek that holds the mouthpiece still in the mouth | MB 02, MB 33 |
| Full CheekEnglish | Long cheek arms that help with steering | MB 02, MB 03, MB 04, MB 33 |
| BradoonEnglish | The small snaffle for a double bridle | MB 02, MB 04, MB 06, MB 38 |
| WeymouthEnglish | The curb for a double bridle | MB 15PB, MB 16PB, MB 33, MB 43LP |
| PelhamEnglish | Snaffle and curb action in one bit, used with two reins or a converter | MB 02, MB 04, MB 33 |
| KimberwickeEnglish | D-shaped cheeks with a curb strap for mild leverage | MB 03, MB 33, MB 36 |
| CombinationEnglish & Western | Works on the nose, poll and mouth together; Myler sells the noseband kits to go with them | MB 01, MB 02, MB 04, MB 32, MB 33, MB 36 and 1 more |
| Curb shankWestern | Leverage bits in several shank lengths and styles, used with a curb strap | MB 01, MB 02, MB 03, MB 03T, MB 04, MB 05 and 21 more |
About hooks. Some Myler dees, eggbutts and full cheeks come with hooks, a second place to attach the rein. Riders who show in dressage usually choose a version without hooks and check the exact model against their rulebook.
Some Myler bits are show legal and some are not, so check the exact model before you enter. These are the rules we checked in October 2026; rules change, so confirm with your federation's current rulebook.
| Discipline | What the rules say | Myler options |
|---|---|---|
| Dressage (USEF national) | USEF Dressage Annex A lists the Myler MB 02, MB 04 low port, MB 06, MB 32, MB 36 and MB 33 WL as permitted snaffles. The Myler 33 ported barrel snaffle is not permitted because its port exceeds 30 mm in height. Snaffle mouthpieces must be at least 10 mm at the rings. | Comfort snaffles on loose rings, eggbutts and bauchers |
| Dressage (FEI and CDI) | Snaffles must be at least 12 mm for horses and 10 mm for ponies. The MB 02 is made with 7/16" (11 mm) bars, under the 12 mm minimum, so check thickness before you ride an FEI test. Myler also makes a 14 mm MB 02. | 14 mm Myler snaffles |
| Eventing (USEF national) | Since September 1, 2024, the Myler Combination bit is permitted in the cross-country and show jumping phases of USEF national eventing. It is not permitted at FEI events, and the approval does not cover dressage. | Myler 3-ring combination bits |
| Hunters (USEF) | Three-ring bits and gags other than the hunter gag are illegal in hunter classes and mean elimination. Judges can penalize unconventional bits, and kimberwickes are often cited. | Snaffles, pelhams and full bridles |
Sources, checked October 22, 2026: USEF Dressage Annex A, bits (2024 edition with July 2024 corrections); USEF Eventing announcement, Myler Combination bit approval effective September 1, 2024; USEF hunter equipment rules as summarized in 2026 rider guides; Myler Bit Levels sheet; maker and retailer specifications for bar thickness.
Level 2 · MB 04
Myler Eggbutt w/Hooks Low Port Comfort Snaffle MB 04
He has always fought and showed discomfort with every bit I've tried until the Myler Eggbutt Snaffle Bit. It has made all the difference. I think each side having independent movement has been key.
Level 2 · MB 04
Myler 5" HBT Shank Low Port Comfort Snaffle MB 04
I have a 5 year old Thoroughbred and was having issues with head tossing and braking. The head tossing seems to have been eliminated with this bit, and he seems to brake easier.
Level 2 · MB 04 combination
Myler 6" 3 Ring Combination Bit Low Port Comfort Snaffle MB 04
★★★★★Worked just as I’d hoped. My horse was much more relaxed in this bit and very responsive to the nose and poll pressure. She didn’t chew on this bit as she does others.
Level 3 · MB 33
Myler 5" HBT Shank Medium Wide Ported Barrel MB 33
Myler bits are always quality products, and this bit is no exception. My very picky, large-tongue, low-palate Arabian absolutely prefers this bit over any snaffle he’s ever worn.
Level 3 · MB 33
Myler 5" HBT Shank Medium Wide Ported Barrel MB 33
My young draft horse began tossing his head when applying pressure to his current bit (Low, medium port with s shank). He's a mellow guy and doesn't need a lot of leverage so I switched to this bit to provide more tongue relief and make grazing easier when on the trail. He has stopped tossing his head and seems to be much happier.
Level 3 · MB 33 WL
Myler Loose Ring w/Wide Low Ported Barrel MB 33 WL
My western dressage horse was struggling with connection and my test scores were reflecting that. He would evade the bit, chomp his teeth, and gape his mouth. … I selected the MB33WL loose ring snaffle. It's a level 3 bit for maximum tongue relief. I cannot believe the difference! … He actually seeks the contact now!
Rider reviews are quoted word for word from public rider discussions and checked against the original posts, October 2026. Verified buyer reviews come from Tack of the Day and Bit of Britain orders.
Myler grades each mouthpiece by how much tongue relief it gives. Level 1 comfort snaffles rotate onto the tongue for young or green horses, Level 2 adds a small port or a flexible mouthpiece, Level 2/3 is ported with more bar and poll pressure, and Level 3 ported curbs give the most tongue relief for horses with advanced training.
The MB 02 is a Level 1 jointed Comfort Snaffle with a wide center barrel. The MB 04 is the Level 2 Low Port Comfort Snaffle: the same idea with a small port that gives the tongue a little more room. Riders often move from an MB 02 to an MB 04 when a horse starts to resist the Level 1.
Start from your horse's training, not the bit you want to end in. A young or green horse usually starts in a Level 1 comfort snaffle such as the MB 02; a horse coming back to work or changing disciplines often starts in a Level 2 MB 04. If your horse resists, move up one level.
Some are. USEF Dressage Annex A lists the MB 02, MB 04 low port, MB 06, MB 32, MB 36 and MB 33 WL as permitted snaffles, while the Myler 33 ported barrel snaffle is not. For FEI tests, snaffles must be at least 12 mm for horses, and the standard MB 02 has 11 mm bars, so check thickness or choose a 14 mm version.
For USEF national eventing, yes: since September 1, 2024 the Myler Combination bit is permitted in cross-country and show jumping, but not at FEI events and not in dressage. In USEF hunter classes, three-ring bits mean elimination, so choose a snaffle or pelham there.
Measure your horse's mouth straight across where the bit sits and choose that width; loose rings usually need an extra 1/8" to 1/4" so the rings don't pinch. Most Myler bits we carry come in 5", with sizes from 4 1/4" to 6". One rider tells us Myler horse sizes run about half an inch large, so compare against the bit your horse wears now.
Riders split. Some tell us Myler is the same quality as Herm Sprenger for less money; others prefer the Sprenger KK Ultra and still have good results with Myler. The two take different approaches: Myler grades mouthpieces by level, while Herm Sprenger refines one anatomical shape. Tack of the Day carries both.
Myler bits are built around how a mouthpiece works on the horse, sorted into levels so riders can match the bit to the horse's training. Shop Myler at Tack of the Day for top brands for less, with new deals every day. Myler is part of the Toklat family of brands.
