How Your Horse Bit Works.
It is often said that, “The Bit is the Key to the Horse”. Whom exactly Dr Bristol is or was is a little bit of a mystery however the statement is exactly right. Putting it a different way look at horse bits as the “signal switching station” of the horse In order for the horse to do what is desired one needs to send specific signals to different parts of the horse. It is the bit and its attachments which take the “signals” from the rider and “switches” them to those parts.
The numerous ways of how you indicate to a horse to do the rider’s will is born out by the very wide range of horse bits on the marker. The different types, styles and modifications to these horse bits are there purely to send a specific signal to a part of the horse.
Do no forget that other contacts with the horse such as the rider’s legs and backside generate important signals, but it is the bit and bridle combination that gives the most options in getting the control you are looking for.
The important thing to remember is that horse bits are designed to work by creating pressure on these areas of the horse and most certainly not pain. Always treat your horse with the greatest respect and critique your own horse riding skills first, rather than immediately attributing any riding problems to the horse. Never respond to a perceived problem by upping the amount of pain you inflict!
So what are the points of the horse that take the signals from the bit?
The tongue : some bits are broken in the centre such as a jointed pelham bit. These types of bit have a nutcracker action squeezing the toungue and grabbing the horse’s attention .
The roof of the mouth : the bits mentioned earlier can work on the horse’s roof of mouth. As the bit breaks at its centre the point of the inverted ‘v’ shape can stab into the roof of the mouth so grabbing the horse’s attention.
The bars – the mouthpiece of the bit rests on the gums or “bars” of the horse’s mouth, This is the space behind the front incisors and before the molars. A simple straight mouth snaffle works simply by applying pressure in this area.
The lips – the horse’s lips are a signaling target for the bit. Some more severe horse bits with chain based mouth pieces pull into the sides of the mouth to drag the horse under control. Such mouth pieces can be seen in gag bits. Only very soft hands should be needed with this sort of bit.
The poll : A part of the head between the ears that is a sensitive point for the horse. It provides a powerful point for the bridle to work via the bit to modify the horse’s behaviour. When the bit is engaged with the reins the crown piece of the bridel pulls down on the poll. It can also indicate the correctness of the bit and it’s position. As a specific example in classical dessage one should see the horse’s poll at highest point on the horse signifying that the horse is not fighting the bit.
By getting a handle on the different and often subtle effects achieved by the horse bit and bridle one can get the most from your horse. Sometimes your needs may require that you look at custom horse bits for your solution. Always seek advice.
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