The concepts of harmonious bitting are the same whatever the
horse’s discipline, however it is natural that the faster the horse goes and
the quicker the reactions required of him are, the more targeted the bit may
need to be.
Before we look at what you may need to consider when bitting
the showjumping horse, let’s consider some bitting
basics:
The bit is simply an aid that passes on requests from the
rider to the horse regarding speed and direction. The mouthpiece of a bit is
selected to suit a horse’s requirements – what fits their mouth conformation,
and what they are comfortable and happy in – and the bit rings, or cheek
pieces, help the rider communicate their requirements to the horse. Finding the
right bit for your horse should be a blend of seeking obedience through correct
schooling, tempered with the rider’s understanding of the horse’s welfare.
Now let’s look at some trouble-shooting
points first, e.g. working out if your bit needs updating-
• It obviously hangs too low, or the
bridle cheek pieces are ‘floppy’ or loose.
• It creates too many lip wrinkles,
or the bridle check pieces appear tight.
• The horse chews or mouths the bit
uncomfortably.
• The horse carries his head to one
side, or raises his head.
• The tongue is ‘squashed’.
• The horse evades bridle fitting.
• The horse evades the contact when ridden,
or his behaviour changes.
• You see obvious physical issues, like rubs
or sore sections.
Bits for jumping
Whatever your discipline, you should always choose the
‘kindest’ bit that meets your needs and your level of riding experience. You
may see some riders jumping in more complex bits than a standard snaffle – this
is often to help them give more accurate commands at speed, or to help control
fit, excitable or strong horses - but as generally a bit is only as strong as the
hands holding it, these should only be used by riders with a steady, elastic
contact.
Here are some of our
best-sellers for show jumping:
The Ringed Continental is very popular with adult jumping riders and is
generally available with three or four cheek rings; it is often referred to as
the Continental or Dutch Gag. It is available in most of the commonly seen
mouthpieces, in several materials. The bit pictured here is the Waterford. Continental
bits like this aim to emulate the effect of draw reins in the ring, and help to
keep the horse between hand and leg.
Pelhams are also
popular bits for jumping riders. They feature elements of both a curb and a
snaffle, and are available with various mouthpiece styles. The bit is good for
over-enthusiastic horses that lean; however, as with many bits with some
leverage action, it should be used only by riders with good hands. The bit
pictured is a
Flexible Rubber Pelham.
Kimblewicks are similar to Pelhams in their action with the use of a curb chain, but
milder, due to the lack of shank, so they do not have the leverage of a Pelham.
However they can help to keep the horse’s head up, eg. to avoid leaning, and
are popular with pony showjumpers.
Common showjumping
evasions -
- Head shaking. When pressure is applied to a horse with a
sensitive tongue, its response may be to shake the head, or poke the
tongue.
- Raising head. The horse may lift the head if he objects to
tongue pressure and also consistent bar pressure.
- Leaning down on the bit. Continuous pressure may lead some
horses to lean their head down or ‘yank’ the reins.
Dental checks by an
equine dental technician or vet are recommended at least once a year. For
articles and info on equestrian matters, please visit www.pegasus-magazine.co.uk . This
is the website of the UK’s Pegasus Magazine - the major source of information
for the large majority of equestrian enthusiasts across the South East of
England and the Home Counties. Visit http://pegasus-magazine.co.uk/magazine
to find out how to access the printed version, of which 25,000 copies per month
are read. The site also features articles.
