Jump'In Bits and Rope Noseband Review: French Steel, Tested

After 12 months testing Jump'In bits and rope nosebands across three horses at our Hunter Valley agistment, the French manufacturer's reputation for precision is well-earned — but the range is enormous (250+ bits alone), and picking the wrong one for your horse's mouth conformation is the most expensive mistake I see Australian riders make. What follows is what I've learned the hard way, with verified prices and real product photos so you know exactly what you're getting.

Reviewed in this article

Jump'In French Mouth Bit Standard Cannons

German Silver · Loose Ring · 16mm cannons

from $124.69 AUD

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A French Bit Maker With a Quiet Reputation

Jump'In is a French equestrian brand that has been making bits and bridlework in France for decades. The name doesn't carry the same marketing flash as some Italian or German brands, but among show jumping riders who care about what goes in their horse's mouth, the word spreads quietly. The bits are handmade, the materials are specific, and the range is staggering — everything from a basic loose ring snaffle to hackamores, Goyo Aga bits, and combination bits with leather-covered cannons.

What sets Jump'In apart is the material science. Their German Silver alloy (65% copper, 23% zinc, 12% nickel) is what they call a "relaxing and solid alloy" — the copper encourages salivation, the nickel adds durability. Their Blue Steel range (54% carbon, 46% manganese) oxidises over time and develops a warm patina that horses seem to accept more readily than cold stainless. And their leather-covered bits prevent the cold contact that puts some horses off metal entirely.

The rope nosebands are where Jump'In's French design sensibility really shows. Rather than a standard leather cavesson, they use a rigid, twisted, oiled rope that sits over the horse's nose — the same principle as a hackamore but integrated into a conventional noseband design. It gives the rider more control without increasing bit pressure, which is the whole point.

Product	Type	Material	Price (AUD)	Best For
French Mouth Bit Standard Cannons	Loose ring snaffle	German Silver	$124.69	Everyday flatwork, sensitive mouths
French Mouth 3 Ring Bit	3-ring gag	German Silver	$158.59	Strong horses needing leverage
French Mouth Baucher Bit	Baucher	German Silver	$148.75	Horses who evade contact
Elevator Bit	Elevator	German Silver	$162.97	Directional control, strong lever
Double Cannon German 3 Ring Bit	3-ring gag	German Silver	$172.81	Pinch-sensitive horses
D-Ring Triple Cannon Bit with Flats	D-ring	German Silver	$220.94	Show jumping, steering precision
Blue Steel Eggbut Bit with High Port	Eggbutt	Blue Steel	$191.41	Tongue relief, salivation
Rope Flash Noseband	Flash noseband	Leather + oiled rope	$167.34	Mouth closure, control
Rope Drop Noseband	Drop noseband	Leather + oiled rope	$167.34	Low nose pressure, mouth closure
Kineton Noseband	Kineton	Leather	$191.41	Bit-pullers, hackamore action

What the German Silver Snaffles Actually Feel Like

I started testing with the French Mouth bit standard cannons ($124.69) on my older gelding, a 16hh warmblood with a sensitive mouth who grinds his teeth in stainless steel bits. The German Silver made a difference within the first flatwork session — he champed the bit instead of fighting it. The French mouth design (a double-jointed mouthpiece with a flat link in the middle) frees the palate from pressure, and the 16mm cannons are thick enough to be gentle without being bulky.

The loose ring action is exactly what you'd expect from a simple snaffle. The rings slide, giving the horse a warning before the bit engages. For a horse with an educated mouth, it's ideal. For a green horse who hasn't learned to follow the contact, a fixed cheek like the D-ring triple cannon bit with flats ($220.94) gives you more steering. I used this one on my younger mare at a local Ag show last season, and the D-rings made a visible difference in her corner control — she stopped drifting through her shoulder on the turn.

The thing I appreciate about Jump'In's German Silver is the weight. It's not flimsy. You can feel the quality in your hand — the cannons have a solid feel, the joints are smooth, and there are no sharp edges. After a year of daily use, the bit has developed a warm copper tinge from oxidation, which the horses seem to accept more than bright metal.

The French Mouth Baucher bit ($148.75) deserves its own mention. The Baucher cheekpiece hangs from a small ring above the mouthpiece, creating a slight lever action that encourages the horse to lower its head. The French mouth keeps the palate free. It's the bit I reach for when a horse is above the bit but not strong enough to need a 3-ring or elevator. For Australian riders competing at EA-affiliated events, the Baucher is competition-legal across show jumping and dressage.

One warning: if you're between sizes, go up. The 16mm standard cannons are Jump'In's middle ground, and the 14mm cannons are genuinely thin — better for a horse with a fleshy tongue who needs more room, but sharper in action. The 20mm thick cannons are very gentle and better for a sensitive mouth or a young horse. If you're not sure, the 16mm standard is the safest starting point.

The Leverage Bits: 3-Ring, Elevator and Gag

For horses that need more than a snaffle, Jump'In's leverage range is where things get interesting. The French Mouth 3 ring bit ($158.59) is the classic — standard 17mm thick cannons in German Silver with a gag action. The 3-ring gives you three rein positions: the main ring for a snaffle action, the middle ring for a mild lever, and the bottom ring for full gag. Most riders I know use the middle ring for show jumping and the bottom ring only for cross-country.

The Double Cannon German 3 ring bit ($172.81) is the upgraded version — double cannons prevent pinching around the friction areas where the cheeks meet the mouthpiece. I tried this on a mare who'd developed a sore spot from a standard 3-ring, and the double cannons eliminated the rubbing.

The lever action is also slightly softer than the classic 3-ring, which matters if you don't want to over-balance your horse.

The Elevator bit ($162.97) is the strongest lever in the range. It has a pronounced action on the horse's balance, pulling the head up and in. I wouldn't put a novice rider on a horse in an elevator bit — the lever is real. But for an experienced rider with a horse who leans on the forehand at speed, it's effective. The large bars give great directional control, which is why you see them in eventing cross-country.

If you're considering a leverage bit, pair it with the right reins. Rubber-covered reins give you grip when the lever action kicks in, which matters more than people think.

Rope Nosebands: Why the Twisted Rope Works

What does a rope noseband do that a leather one doesn't? The answer is pressure distribution. A standard leather cavesson is broad and flat — it distributes pressure across a wide area of the nose. A rope noseband is narrow and rigid, so the pressure concentrates on a smaller surface area. This means less force is needed to achieve the same effect. Think of it like the difference between the flat of a hand and the edge of a palm.

The Rope Flash Noseband ($167.34) is the one I've used most. The "French" part — the rope section — sits over the top of the nose, while the leather flash strap attaches below to keep the mouth closed. The loops and noseband are made from high-quality leather, and the rope is oiled and twisted for rigidity. On a horse who opens his mouth against the bit, it gives you control without resorting to a stronger mouthpiece.

The Rope Drop Noseband ($167.34) uses the same rope principle but in a drop configuration. The rope sits lower on the nose, closer to the nostrils. I prefer this one for horses with a short head shape where a flash strap sits awkwardly. The drop design also gives you a bit more control over jaw-crossing, though it needs careful fitting — too tight and you restrict breathing.

The Kineton Noseband ($191.41) is the most technical of the three. It acts on both the bit and the bottom of the nasal bridge, like a miniature hackamore. The kineton is designed for horses that pull on the bit — the nose pressure activates when the horse pulls, giving a dual signal. I've used it on one horse who was a chronic puller, and it worked without me having to go to a stronger bit. The reality is, the Kineton is not for every horse — it's a specialist piece for a specific problem.

If you're looking at the full bridle picture, pair your noseband choice with the right bridle and bits — the three components work together. Jump'In also makes leverage bits and snaffle bits as separate collections if you want to browse by action type. And don't forget the halters and leads for everyday handling — a well-fitted halter is just as important as the bridle.

Blue Steel vs German Silver: Which Material?

This is the question I get asked most. German Silver is the default — it's relaxing, solid, and the copper content encourages salivation. Blue Steel is a different beast. Made of 54% carbon and 46% manganese, it oxidises with time and develops a warm patina. Horses who object to the cold feel of stainless steel often accept Blue Steel more readily.

The Blue Steel Eggbut bit with high port ($191.41) is the one I've tested most in this material. The eggbutt cheek keeps the bit stable in the mouth (no sliding), and the high port gives tongue relief. The French mouth system frees the roof of the mouth from pressure. It's a very simple, very kind bit — but the Blue Steel needs maintenance. You have to rinse it after every use and let it dry, or the oxidation goes too far and the surface roughens.

The Blue Steel Gag bit blocked ($158.59) is the performance end of the Blue Steel range. The gag action acts on the horse's balance, making it rebalance and transfer weight to the hindquarters. The larger the rings, the stronger the action. I'd only recommend this for experienced riders with educated hands — the combination of gag action and Blue Steel's oxidising surface means the horse gets a lot of signal very quickly.

In practice, most Australian riders I know start with German Silver and move to Blue Steel only if their horse shows a specific preference. The price difference isn't huge — maybe $15-30 AUD between equivalent models — but the maintenance commitment is. German Silver you can wipe and go. Blue Steel you need to rinse, dry, and sometimes oil. If you're a weekend rider who doesn't want the upkeep, stick with German Silver.

One thing I've found after a year of testing: the Jump'In bits hold their value. I bought a French Mouth Baucher for $148.75, used it for 12 months, and could resell it for close to that. The materials don't degrade the way cheap stainless does — no pitting, no rust, no bent cannons. That's the French manufacturing difference.

If you want the full Jump'In range, browse the complete Jump'In collection at iRide EQ, or start with our horse bits page to filter by type. We also stock Jump'In bridle accessories and the full range of horse boots.

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