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Bits & Bridles Article

Bits & Bridles
By: Anne Wilson

We are lucky nowadays to have the availability of modern technology in the form of lightweight, smooth and comfortable stainless steel bits, and other modern materials, which need very little cleaning and no polishing. We can take advantage of a huge variety of types and sizes of bits. Of course the bit should always be rinsed clean after every use.

It is definitely an advantage to be able to choose from a wide range of bit widths, lengths, thicknesses and styles, to accommodate any size and shape of equine mouth. Since every horse’s mouth is slightly different, including their dentition and their tongues; this is a huge advantage. As a general rule the thicker the bit, the milder the action, but the bit width and thickness should be in proportion to the size of the horse’s mouth.

However, I believe there can be almost too much choice and certainly too many claims made by specialist bit manufacturers to ‘improve’ the horse’s way of going, ‘improve’ his outline or contact with the bit.

I believe that the path to alleviating problems in the mouth is not by a ‘miracle bit’ but by gentle and tactful use of a well fitting bit which is suitable for that particular horse at a particular point in his training. However, there are some designs of these modern bits which appear to suit some horses who have had problems with conventional bits and this can only be a good thing, but should not be seen as a ‘cure all’.

Here’s a quote from the Great Master Gueriniere in his book ‘School of Horsemanship’, in which he is referring to what the famous horseman Pgnatelli has to say on the subject of bits and bridling – “He was convinced by his own experience that the bridle should serve to make known to the horse the rider’s intentions, rather than to constrain the animal. He said that if bridles by themselves had the miraculous property of establishing the value of a horse’s mouth and rendering it obedient, the rider and the horse would be fully trained on leaving a tack-master’s shop.”

DETRIMENTAL ASPECTS TO SOME MODERN DAY BITS AND BRIDLES
One of the most maddening, not to mention downright cruel, contraptions I see horses wearing today are tight drop nosebands, often referred to as ‘crank nosebands’ because of their ability to be cranked tighter and tighter as the rider wishes. Contrary to classical principles as laid down throughout the centuries by the Great Masters, many riders and trainers today seem to believe that the bit should be held static in the mouth and the horse’s mouth should remain equally static with a tightly closed jaw. The truth is that the horse should be able, and encouraged, to gently ‘chomp’ on the bit or bits. This results in relaxation of the jaw and poll, encouraging a healthy salivation. This gentle ‘chomping’ is quite different from the grinding of teeth which is usually the result of an unhappy horse with an uncomfortable mouth. The idea of the bit being held completely still is contrary to good horsemanship.

THE MAIN SYSTEMS OF BITTING:
The Snaffle
The Double Bridle
The Pelham (a single bit system encompassing both the action of the snaffle and the curb)
The Bitless Bridle
The Gag

THE SNAFFLE
For most horses a simple jointed snaffle or a French link snaffle is a good bit in early training, and sometimes for most of the horse’s life. The choice of size and fit are crucial, and should be chosen by either a professional or a very experienced horse person. As a general guide a jointed snaffle needs to be slightly wider than a solid mouthpiece, because of the joint in the middle. A quarter of an inch protrusion either side of the mouth is correct. The height adjustment is also of vital importance; one wrinkle in the corner of the lips is correct with a snaffle. The bit should sit on the bars of the mouth – that is the part of the gums where there are no teeth. If the bit is adjusted too high it will cause discomfort or pain on the corners of the mouth; if too low it will bang on the teeth also causing pain or discomfort.

In most cases it is down to rider skill. Sometimes, if a horse has been badly ridden, say pulled in the mouth or ridden in draw reins, it will make no difference what bit you put in his mouth; he will still fight the contact. The only thing to do in this case is to use an extremely gentle contact, be very patient and ignore what he is doing with his head and neck; concentrating on working from behind with correct body posture etc. Given enough time, and it may take months or even years, eventually the horse will respond, almost forgetting his previous bad experiences, and come to accept, or hopefully seek, a caring contact with the rider’s hands.

THE PELHAM AND DOUBLE BRIDLE
The Pelham, when used with two reins and correctly fitted, is a perfectly legitimate and useful bit. I disapprove of the use of the Pelham with roundings, joining the two reins together. With roundings the rider holds only one rein, meaning that the action of the curb and the snaffle are used indiscriminately at the same time.

Of course the action of the Pelham even with two reins, can be severe if mis-used, as can even the mildest of snaffles. However, I often find that some heavily built horses actually seem to prefer the use of a Pelham or a double bridle to the feel of the single snaffle. Obviously the rider must be reasonably experienced, possess an independent seat (in order that their hands may act independently, not being subject to unnecessary movement) and be able to utilise the two reins independently.

Similar comments apply to the double bridle as to the Pelham. The use of the double bridle should normally be confined to the more advanced horse and rider. The fitting and effect of each bit and the curb chain are important to understand before embarking upon this system of bitting (either the Pelham or the double). You will find more in-depth information on this in Elwyn Hartley Edwards’ book ‘The Complete Book of Bits and Bitting’ (David & Charles 2004).

THE BITLESS BRIDLE
Bitless bridles come in various designs and depending on the adjustment, can be very severe or very mild. It is a misconception to think that you cannot hurt a horse with a bitless bridle, but they can be very useful for horses who, for some reason, cannot hold a bit in the mouth without discomfort. The reason for the sensitivity in the mouth could be from a dental problem or previous bad riding and/or badly fitting bit. Often the temporary use of a bitless bridle will give the mouth a chance to heal and the horse a chance to regain his confidence before the reintroduction of an appropriate bit.

THE GAG
The gag is part of the snaffle family, but has been altered to exaggerate the action of the bit. They have holes at the top and bottom, through which is passed a cheek piece of rounded leather. The rein is attached to this cheek piece. As you can imagine this results in an acute head raising action and can be very severe. The use of the gag should be confined to very experienced riders and used with great discretion. Even then they should only be used in extreme cases where the horse would be otherwise very dangerous and all other avenues of re-training have failed (and these cases are few and far between).

This article first appeared in Equi-Ads, a free equestrian magazine published in the UK.  It is reprinted with permission at Cavalli Connections.