Jim Edwards Bits

Master craftsman Jim Edwards of Blum, Texas began creating bits in 1986. After years of ranching and riding hundreds of horses for work, team roping and showing, he began to question conventional bridle bits. Because he wasn’t satisfied with how his horses reacted to conventional bridle bits, he started building and experimenting with his own designs.

What he discovered was that tongue pressure, pain in the horse’s mouth along with inconsistencies in rider’s hands, will trigger an array of instinctive protection responses. When these instincts kick in, the horse stops thinking and starts reacting. Reacting to pain instead of relating to cues can make for a bad day’s ride, and over time creates bad habits that inhibit the horse’s natural athletic ability.

After years of making bits for professional horsemen and horsewomen in the performance arena, Jim has expanded his line to include bits ideal for ropers and barrel racers. Manufacturing Jim Edwards Bits is a family affair, and includes his wife Elaine and son Austin.

All bits are produced in their small shop next to the family home in Texas. Jim’s bits can be found at select equine events, where the Edwards’ have sample bits to test ride before you buy.