Next to the saddle, the bit is probably the second most important items of tack we will purchase in terms of affecting the wellbeing of the horse, the horse’s comfort and importantly, the clarity of our communication with them.
These days, getting your saddle fit checked is something that almost all riders will agree is something that is vital to their riding and training routine. As riders, we are now more educated than ever before about the benefits of a well fitting saddle, the detrimental effect of a poorly fitting saddle to both rider and horse, and have a wide variety of brands and styles to choose from, as well as increasingly educated and knowledgeable saddle fitters to help us make the right decision.
The saddle is a main point of contact between us and the horse, a communication point, and a vital piece of equipment in achieving our goals.
But let me ask you, when was the last time you considered your bit?
Think about it, when you hop on and take up the reins, what you holding? Essentially a piece of hard, solid metal placed in the delicate confines of your horse’s mouth. The horse’s mouth is not designed specifically to carry a bit- with the space at the bars between the teeth- it is conveniently shaped like this to suit our needs. Ancient humans thought to put a piece of leather, then bone and then later, metal, in the mouth in increase their control rather than ride in halters.
A badly fitted, dirty bit is very uncomfortable for your horse
The bit will rest primarily on the very sensitive, mobile and delicate tongue, no matter what style you use. Some styles will give more tongue relief than others, but essentially most will work off tongue pressure to some degree. The tongue is linked to muscles that run down the neck, and then link to the shoulder and back muscles. Tension and restriction of the tongue leads to tension in the neck, tensions in the shoulder and the back, everything is connected. Any instructor that tells you to ride with “8kg’s of weight in each hand”, as I have read printed in a clinic report in a magazine not that long ago, is not one who has really considered what he is hanging onto on the ends of those reins.
Your own tongue is very sensitive. Any lump of bump in your mouth feels much larger when probed by your tongue than it actually is. Your horse’s tongue is the same, so imagine what it would feel like to have a dirty bit with caked on grass rubbing across the surface, or worse, rusty edges and bevel holes, or sharp edges on poorly finished joins, or a bit that is too large sliding the joint back and forth across the mouth and the rider changes their outside hand…
Next time you ride, take a good look at your bit and bridle. Not just from the outside, part the lips and have look inside as well. Check that the mouthpiece rests away from the canine teeth, and that the horse can comfortably close his mouth so his front teeth are together with the bit in. Now, standing beside him, take up a contact and see how the bit moves in the mouth, watch the tongue. Look where the joint of your lozenge or French plate sits- is the plate so wide that the joins are hitting the upper jaw?
With bits, sometimes the old saying “You get what you pay for” is true. Some cheaper bits have poorly made joins in the mouthpiece, or loose hinges on eggbutts, rough edges on joins or just incorrectly made.
I will be a regular blogger on An Eventful Life website, and will be discussing the various types and styles of bits available for all three phases. I’ll go into how they work and why they work, as well as what types of horse and riders they may suit to help you make the correct bitting choice for your next successful and safe competition day, as well as training at home.
If there is a particular question you may have about a type of bit, or just want something you have seen used explained as to why and how, please post your comments below.
Give the ponies a kiss for me!
Anita
For more information visit www.bitbankaustralia.com.au
Anita Marchesani (pictured above) is the “Bit Bank Guru”, helping riders in Australian and New Zealand select the right bit for their horse for Dressage, Eventing, Showjumping, Pony Club and more. She spent 5 years in the UK, including 3 seasons grooming for a GB Young Rider squad member in the old days of long format 3DE’s, before returning to Australia and starting Bit Bank Australia. She owns a Welsh x TB whom she casually competes and has heaps of fun with!
