Bitting Advice from The Saddlery Shop

Bits can be a confusing subject - as you will see from the wide selection available at The Saddlery Shop, there are many available on the market; but how do you know which is the right one for your horse; and could you be using the wrong bit for your horse or pony? In this blog post, we offer some simple advice! The mouthpiece of the bit is an aid for communication between rider and horse, and in very simplified terms, is used to regulate speed and direction. The bit rings or cheek pieces are designed to aid rider communication. So how do bits actually work? Bits are just part of the communication process between rider and horse, and exert pressure on some or all of the following parts of a horse’s mouth, internally: The bars (the gummy sections between the incisor and molar teeth) Roof of the mouth Tongue – especially the sensitive edges Lips and corners of the mouth Externally, bits put pressure on the following parts of the horse’s mouth: Poll areas beneath the headpiece of the bridle The curb groove which is the ‘hollow’ just above the chin Dressage ‘legal’ bits Under British Dressage affiliated rules, there is a relatively small selection of bits that is permitted to be used when competing. They include: Loose ring snaffle Eggbutt snaffle Snaffle with jointed mouthpiece Racing snaffle D-ring Eggbutt snaffle with cheeks Loose ring snaffle with cheeks Snaffle with upper cheeks only Hanging cheek snaffle Straight bar snaffle (also permitted with mullen mouth and eggbutt rings) Snaffle with rotating mouthpiece Double jointed snaffle with a roller in the centre Rubber, nylon and other synthetic materials are permitted are some of the specialist ranges such as Myler and Sprenger It is advisable to remember that when competing in dressage, we should ideally select the ‘kindest’ dressage-legal bit your horse is most comfortable with. If you enjoy other disciplines such as showjumping, you may require a bit with a more decisive action, so gags or Pelham bits are popular choices. Always make sure you maintain regular equine dental checks, to prevent any issues in your horse’s mouth that will make him sore and resistant to working and accepting his bit. Click here for advice on Dressage >