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
Share
This Page!