In My Opinion
by Jude Bauer

A bit is designed to put pressure on a horse’s mouth, face, or head, to influence carriage, direction, or speed. When we apply pressure on the bit it causes discomfort on a specific area (mouth, face, head, etc.) so the horse changes their frame, direction, or speed to relieve the discomfort.

The bit should only be used as an aid to accomplish a goal, such as collection, turning, or changing speed, it should not be used as a source of punishment or discipline. As you ride and train your horse you want them to feel comfortable and happy in the discipline you are working at. Your performance will always be better with a willing participant. In the 1980’s I attended a reining clinic with Bob Loomis, he was attempting to show the audience the bit he was using on his horse, but the horse kept on trying to put the bit & bridle on, that is what you want to achieve, a willing equine partner.

The easiest way to measure a horse for a bit is with a wooden dowel or a wooden spoon handle. Place the wooden handle in the horse’s mouth, make a mark at each end where the lips end, and then take it out and measure the length. Most horses are 5 inches, Arabians or finer muzzled horses average 4¾ inches, while Warmbloods measure 5½ inches. When fitted properly with a bit in their mouth horses lips should have a wrinkle or two, depending on the bit. Also the bit should not be interfering with the horse’s teeth. Another important bit fitting step is to ask your vet if your horse has a low palate or a thick tongue. For example, my horse has a very thick tongue and using a thicker bit (such as a rubber or wide snaffle) is uncomfortable for him to close his mouth over so he does have a thinner bit (which some people think is harsh) which he’s comfortable with closing his mouth on.

Types of horse bits include the snaffle, rubber, pelham, gag, mullen mouth, hackamore, and many other varieties. Each style is specific to a discipline, and serves a very specific purpose. I’m not going to get into the multitudes of bits and what they do in this article.

However, let’s talk about what bits cannot do. First, bits cannot soften a horse’s mouth. I call a hard mouthed horse an uneducated mouth. This usually means the rider or trainer hasn’t taken the time to teach the horse the purpose of the bit. Second, when it comes to slowing down a horse, you can pull on the rein which helps, but a nice slow trot or canter comes from a happy and calm horse that’s not worried about its tongue being squeezed in half by the bit. Also, a nice balanced stop comes from a rider’s lack of motion. This is easily seen on a sensitive horse that can feel the rider’s body stopping and knows to stop. Finally third, turning, yes the rein tells you the direction but so do the rider’s eye’s, and weight, not just the bit. I personally experienced this during a cross country lesson with Anne Jennings (Pigeon Creek Farms). After jumping down off the bank I had two directions to choose from, one was towards an old tree jump and the other was an oxer jump. As soon as my horse and I landed from the bank my horse lifted his head up as if to ask which way to go. I looked left and we were off in that direction towards the tree. At the time I didn’t have any contact on the bit but my horse felt my weight change and my eye direction and knew where to go.

Always remember the bit is only part of a larger scenario: riders should be using their seat and legs to direct the horse, and the information from the bit shouldn’t outweigh the information from your body. People who rely on bits to create the ride are often novices who don't understand communication between horse and rider.

Note: Jude is manager at Hall Saddlery in Sussex, WI.

Return to topics.