Get a Bigger Badder Bit (part 1)

For every imaginable horse problem, there is someone out there with the ultimate fix, if you will just reach for your credit card. There is a gimmick for this and a gimmick for that. This phenomenon is very noticeable in the world of horse bits. Consider the following fragments of text that I took from actual bit advertisements. All identifying product names have been replaced with dashes to protect the gimmick mongers.

The ------ Pinchless Technology uses pressure instead of pain to train.

I love this one. It is directed toward the heavy handed rider who has already ruined his horse. His horse is either shaking his head or raising his nose to get away from the constant pressure of the rider's heavy hands. Glory be, reasons the rider, there is now a bit that applies pressure without pain. Surely if I buy this bit, my horse will correct it's behavior and all will be right with the world.

Let us consider the promise of this ad. "Pressure without pain". Now, let us apply a little reason. Too much pressure is... painful. Therefor, the heavy handed rider will be heavy handed still and the problem will continue to get worse and worse.

Colt Training Snaffle Bit

In this case there was no fancy advertising text and no outlandish promises. They simply took a typical Tom Thumb bit and named it the "Colt Training Snaffle Bit".

I wonder how many people have turned to this bit as a sure fire fix for all of their colt starting problems. It is my personal opinion that this particular bit is perfectly suited to serve as a paperweight. It works well on my desk at any rate.

Young horses do not have the understanding to move away from rein pressure on their necks. The only way to move their heads to the left and right is with a direct pull. I strongly recommend that you start your young horses in a simple ringed snaffle. When you pull on a snaffle bit, the bit simply slides through the mouth until the offside ring and curb strap stop it's progression. This allows the horse's head to be pulled in either direction without the use of harsh leverage or pinching.

Now, consider the "Colt Training Snaffle Bit", which is nothing more than a Tom Thumb in disguise. When you do a direct pull with this bit. The mouth piece breaks in the middle, forming a sharp V and pinching everything in its path. Every V has a pointed end and that point has some harsh effects in a horse's mouth. As the mouth piece folds up, the lower part of the shank pulls way from the horse's mouth. This causes the top of the shank to press into the horses cheek where it pinches soft tissue between the bit and upper teeth. A bit like this will only teach a young horse to avoid the bit.

In my tack room, you will only find two basic types of bits, the ringed snaffle and low or medium port curb type bits.

The solution for a horse problem is never a bigger badder bit, nor can it be found in one of the gimmicky miracle bits that are widely available.

In the next segment, I will discuss the bits I use, why I use them, and how I use them.

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