Some Rules for Effective Horse Riding.

In the immortal words of one Dr Bristol, “The Bit is the Key to the Horse”. Whom exactly Dr Bristol is or was is a little bit of a mystery however the quote is accurate. Putting it a different way look at horse bits as the “signal switching station” of the horse What I mean by that is that for the horse to do what is desired one needs to send specific signals to different parts of the horse. The bit combined with the bridle sends the “signals” from the rider and “switches” them to those parts.

The large variety of how you indicate to a horse to do the rider’s will is confirmed by the large variety of different style of horse bit on the market. The different types, styles and variations to these horse bits are there purely to send a specific signal to a part of the horse.

One must not forget the importance of other signaling tools such as the rider’s legs and backside generate important signals, but it is the horse bit both directly and indirectly via the bridle that gives the most options in getting the horse and rider working as a team.

Remember the fundamental thing is that horse bits are designed to work by applying pressure on these specific points of the horse and definitely not pain. Always treat your horse with respect and review your own riding skills and your chosen bit and harness first, rather than immediately blaming the horse. Under no circumstances should you attempt to fix an issue by increase the amount of pain you inflict!

So how do these signals work?

The tongue – some bits break in the middle such as a jointed pelham bit. These types of bit have a nutcracker action squeezing the toungue and thereby getting the horse’s full attention .

The roof of the mouth : the jointed bits mentioned above when they break can touch the roof of the horse’s mouth. As the bit breaks at its centre the point of the inverted ‘v’ shape can impact the roof of the mouth so grabbing the horse’s attention.

The bars – the bit mouthpiece sits on the gums or “bars” of the horse’s mouth,  This is the gap behind the front incisors and before the molars.  The common snaffle with a straight mouth 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 providing quite a stiff signal. 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 point of focus for the horse bit and bridle that can modify the horse’s behaviour.  When the reins are pulled and the bit brought into play the crown piece of the bridel pulls down on the poll. The poll and its position is also a useful guide to how well the horse is working with the bit. 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.

The variety of effects of the horse bit are numerous. By understanding such 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. But be sure to seek advice.

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