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Posted:
Tuesday, May 6, 2003
A bit about bits
By Brenda Baldwin
If you have owned a horse for any length of time, you have probably already begun the infamous bit collection found occupying almost every tack room. We are always on a quest to find that special bit that elicits the perfect response from our equine partner. Often we rush off to the tack store to purchase the latest development from which a friend is receiving a modicum of success without stopping to understand the function and the mechanics behind the bit. The bit, in combination with the bridle, is used for communication with the horse and is not to be used as a handle to stabilize the rider or a method to punish the horse. An accomplished rider will have developed an independent seat and will use his seat and legs before the bit to communicate to his horse.
To communicate with the horse the bit, attached to the bridle, exerts pressure in a number of areas on the horse's head. Those areas are the bars of the mouth, lips, tongue, hard palate, chin, nose, and poll. The most sensitive areas are the hard palate and the tongue.
Bits are classified in two basic categories - snaffles bits and leverage bits. The snaffle bit is a mechanically simple bit that provides a direct signal from the rider's hands to the horse's mouth. There are no shanks on the snaffle bit to provide a mechanical advantage. The reins and the cheek pieces of the bridle attach to the same or adjacent bit rings. Although it is considered to be a mild bit, this is not necessary true. Severity is based upon the number of pieces in the horse's mouth, the texture and shape of the mouthpiece, the ring shape, the thickness of the mouthpieces, how the rings are attached to the mouthpiece, whether it is an elevator or a gag, and the material from which it is made.
The leverage bit has two sets of bit rings, which provides a mechanical advantage. The upper rings of the bit attach to the bridle and the lower rings attach to the reins. The portions of the bit located above the mouthpiece and ending at the bridle attachment rings are called the cheeks. The portions of the bit located below the mouthpiece and ending with the rein rings are called the shanks. It is the ratio between the lengths of these two pieces that determines the amount of leverage. A standard curb bit with 4.5-inch shanks and 1.5-inch cheeks has a 3:1 ratio. This translates to three pounds of pressure in the horse's mouth for every one pound of pressure on the reins.
A curb strap is also attached to the leverage bit. The correct adjustment of this strap is vital to the proper function of the bit. One of the better methods of adjustment is to set the curb strap so that a pull on the reins gives the desired amount of bit rotation in the horse's mouth. If it is set too tightly, it can cancel out the bit's signal, balance and points of contact in the mouth.
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Example of a leverage bit.
HorseCity.com File Photo | The leverage bit commonly has a solid U-shaped mouthpiece called a "port", although a jointed mouthpiece can be found in leverage bits like the Tom Thumb. A common misconception is that a low port makes a mild mouthpiece. When we consider that the most sensitive and mostly easily injured part of the horse's mouth is its tongue and that the purpose of the port is to prevent the bit from applying the majority of its force directly to the tongue, the error of this concept is evident. The severity of a high port comes into play when it comes in contact with the horse's palate, which in most horses is at least 2 - 2.5 inches high. Like the snaffle, the smaller the diameter of the mouthpiece translates into greater severity of the bit. The diameter should be measured one inch from the attachment of the bit rings or shanks. The standard mouthpiece is three-eights of an inch and is considered moderate. It is considered severe if it is one-fourth inch in diameter or less.
The key to the proper use of bits and bridles is the principle of pressure and release. The horse doesn't intuitively move away from pressure. He learns to seek a position of comfort to relieve the pressure applied by the bit. A release of rein pressure must be given the instant the horse makes the slightest effort to comply with the request sent to him through the bit. This way the horse recognizes that the response was correct. Applying rein pressure makes a request and a thank-you is given by releasing the pressure in compliance of the request. Recognize when your horse has made the slightest effort to comply and don't confuse him by not releasing the bit pressure. It is often the use of the bit, and not the bit itself, which achieves success.
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