On the Subject of Bits...

Few topics are argued over so heatedly in the horse world as the subject of bits. This is a topic dear to my heart and one in which I wish to expound on a little in the hope of relieving some of the suffering going on in horses around the country.

Some horses - especially thoroughbreds, have a lower roof to their mouths or thick tongues - they can not tolerate any form of SNAFFLE bit. Now while I agree that a lot of so-called bit problems stem from the rider being unbalanced or rough with their hands I also think a decent bit can make all the difference with a lot of horses and at the very least until the rider can learn to ride balanced and with soft hands, a straight bar apple mouth will at least relieve a lot of the pain in the mouth for a horse.

Do NOT make the mistake of thinking that a snaffle or a french link bit is the most comfortable jointed bit - for some horses they are torture and do nothing but bruise the roof of their mouths, they can also pinch the tobgue badly. Personally I have stopped using snaffle bits altogether, I simply do not like them. Use either an apple mouth straight bar OR if you need a jointed bit look for ones such as the excellent KY Rotary Bits or The Pee Wee Bit or a Myler Bit.

Many cases of horses 'running away' with the bit are brought about not through the need of a firmer bit but of a softer bit as what they are actually running away from is undoubtedly pain.

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