Often when a horse is acting up, shaking its head, pulling on the bit, or refusing to collect, the problem is in the bit. Bits that fit incorrectly, or riders that aren't soft-handed can cause pain, which makes the horse unable and unwilling to properly respond to your cues.

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you eliminate bit pain.

Rider Error
This is a large cause of bit pain. Are your hands light and steady? Or do you jerk your horse around?
Remember that your hands are attached to a piece of metal in your horse's mouth. Even the most severe bit can be gentle in a good rider's hands-- and vice versa! A simple snaffle can cause pain if the rider is rough-handed.
Sometimes horses, especially those who have been ridden incorrectly for years, will need a more severe hand to get them to behave. Riders then start to jerk and pull, in order to get the horse to respond. Horses get used to this and develop what is called a "hard mouth" which means they either ignore or cannot feel signals and need rougher and rougher hands to control them.
A hard-mouthed horse needs to be worked with to regain its abillity to respond to light signals. You cannot simply expect to yank such a horse around harder each time, or move up to harsher and harsher bits-- this will only make the problem worse and result in the horse needing more and more pressure to respond.
A horse that doesn't respond due to improper training can only be fixed with proper training.

 

Pinched Mouths
With bits that have hinged mouthpieces that swing or move freely, pinching is a problem. A loose-ring snaffle, a "wonder" bit, or a bit with any type of gag action (bits that allow the mouthpieces to slide) can pinch the corners of the horse's mouth. Sometimes twisted-wire mouthed bits can also rub. Always check to make sure that your bit isn't pinching the horse or rubbing him. Often this will cause a small sore in the corner of the horse's mouth, much like a sore you might get from an ill-fittig shoe. If it is, consider switching bits or using bit guards to protect the horse's mouth. If you notice your horse has any sores in the corner of his mouth, you can apply vaseline and give him a few days bit-free to ride. And, of course, get some good bit guards or switch to a better bit!

Bit Severity
It's true that some horses require or prefer bits that give more leverage, rather than direct contact, especially if they have a rider with soft hands. Some horses that dislike snaffles will ride well in a short-shanked bit or a hackamore.
However, it's common to see horses "overbitted" with bits that are too severe for them or their rider. If a horse has a long-shanked bit on and a rider with quick hands, the bit can grab them in the mouth and cause pain. Horses often will flip their noses or shake their heads when this happens. Some riders have hands soft enough to ride in long-shanked bits... but those that don't should stick with something that won't pinch the horse if they can't ride smoothly.

"Nutcracker" Snaffles
Bits with a broken mouth can also cause problems. While a broken mouth is designed to rest easily on a horse's tongue, it can pop up and crack the horse in the roof of the mouth. If your horse seems to flip his head when you make contact, this might be the problem. There are many other options besides a regular snaffle or straight mouth... there are dogbone (a 3-piece mouth) and chain-mouth pieces, for example. Some bit makers even make bits that swivel but won't crack in the middle.

 

Bits That Just Don't Work

Finding the right fit is like trying to find yourself a good pair of shoes. You need to try many types of bits to see what works well with your horse. Maybe he likes something with small leverage, or a D-ring snaffle with copper rollers, or maybe he prefers a hackamore. Your bit will depend on what you're using the horse for-- if it's an event that requires supple turns like barrel racing, or collection like english, or even just trail riding. If you can borrow or ride in other bridles, then you can find out what bit you like without purchasing any. Find the bit that works best, then go with it. Don't just ride in whatever bit you happen to have. Ride in the bit that best fits your horse.

Go to the Horse Bits Information Page