A bit is one of the most important pieces of tack that most equestrians use every time they saddle up and head out for a ride. When used properly, a bit helps the rider communicate with their horse and provide cooperation and safety for their time under saddle.
Sometimes, however, things go wrong, and despite our best intentions, the line of communication breaks down and things go awry. In this blog, we take a look at some common bitting issues and give you the tools you need to solve them.
Size It Up
Your horse’s mouth is one of the most sensitive parts of your horse’s body, therefore any equipment that is placed in or near your horse’s mouth should be carefully evaluated. Learn more about the various types of bits and mouthpieces on our blog post, A Bit Confused About Bits? When selecting the right bit for your horse’s mouth, the size of the bit and how it is adjusted is just as important as the type of bit that you choose.
Generally, a bit should lie with the cheekpieces flush with your horse’s mouth. There are some exceptions to this, such as in the case of a loose ring snaffle, when the bit should have an additional ⅛” on either side to prevent the bit from pinching the delicate skin of the horse’s lips.
A bit that is too small or too narrow will pinch the corner(s) of your horse’s mouth and will rub the exterior skin. In extreme cases, your horse may not be able to close his mouth properly in order to carry the bit as desired.
Conversely, a bit that is too large or too wide will slide around in your horse’s mouth. This may make your rein aids difficult for your horse to understand, since the bit will move back and forth from side to side. A bit that is exceedingly large for your horse may even hit your horse’s teeth when you pull on the reins, which is not only shocking and painful for your horse, but may also result in permanent tooth damage over time.
Another piece of the puzzle to consider is the thickness of the mouthpiece. Generally, a thicker bit is more mild than a thin mouthpiece, however you also need to assess the shape and size of your horse’s mouth and tongue. If your horse has a low palate and/or a thick tongue, they may be more comfortable in a thin mouthpiece. Some horses with extremely large tongues do better with a ported bit that gives their tongue adequate clearance, while horses with a low palate often prefer double-jointed mouthpieces so that the bit does not inadvertently dig into the soft tissue. A horse with a high palate and/or an average size tongue may prefer a thick mouthpiece. Work with your veterinarian or equine dentist to view the conformation of your horse’s mouth.
Making Adjustments
In order for a bit to work correctly, your bridle must be properly adjusted with the cheekpieces and bit hangers suspending the bit in the right position. In general, a snaffle bit should create one or two small wrinkles in the corners of your horse’s mouth, while a curb should be adjusted until there is one soft wrinkle in the corners of the mouth. Horses are individuals and may prefer their bit to be adjusted in a certain way, so it may take a bit of trial and error to see what your horse likes best.
Proper placement of the bit will ensure that your horse is comfortable over the course of your ride. A bit that is adjusted too tightly or is too high in your horse’s mouth will put excess pressure on your horse’s poll and lips. It may also make it difficult for your horse to respond to your aids because the bit is constantly pulling on the corners of the mouth, which your horse may find troubling and confusing.
Meanwhile, a bit that is adjusted too loosely is also uncomfortable for your horse. A bit that is too low in your horse’s mouth may bang into your horse’s front teeth and force your horse’s tongue to hold the bit into position. It will also make it much easier for your horse to flip his tongue over the bit which has the potential to be extremely dangerous for both horse and rider.
Generally speaking, a bit that is adjusted correctly will hang comfortably in your horse’s mouth, with the bridle’s cheek pieces supporting the weight of the bit. Everytime you change bits on bridle, particularly if it is a different type of bit or has differently sized cheek pieces, you will need to assess the fit of your bridle and make adjustments as necessary.
Free of Pain
Generally, many bitting problems, particularly behavioral issues, are rooted in pain. Because horses are prey animals, they respond strongly to painful scenarios, often with the flight response.
Behavioral issues under saddle, particularly those that come on suddenly, may be attributed to pain. If your horse begins showing signs of bit resistance, such as head tossing, gaping their mouth, and rearing, your first thought should be ensuring that this behavior is not elicited by pain.
First, carefully inspect the bit to ensure that nothing is amiss. Look for sharp points that may be digging into your horse’s mouth and rough patches that may not slide over their lips as easily as normal. Hold the bit firmly in your hand and quickly rotate the bit’s cheek pieces with your opposite hand; this will help you to determine if there are any hidden areas that pinch your horse while it is in use. Finally, put the bridle on your horse and carefully look into the horse’s mouth. Confirm that the bit is lying comfortably across the tongue and is not forcing down the tongue muscle and the the joint of the bit is not approaching the roof of the mouth.
If the bit does not appear to be causing the pain directly, it is time to get a professional involved. Invite your veterinarian or equine dentist out to your farm to inspect your horse’s oral health. There are a multitude of equine oral ailments that can cause pain, especially when being ridden. By catching these early, you are often able to clear up the problem and ensure no lasting ill effects.
Your horse’s health care team will assess the condition of your horse’s teeth as well as his tongue and inner cheeks. Abrasions on the soft tissue of the horse’s mouth often help determine where the pain is originating. “Floating” or filling of the molars will remove any hooks, ramps, waves, and sharp points on your horse’s teeth, which is not only important for the comfort of your horse while being ridden or driven, but this will also ensure that they are able to properly eat and ingest quality nutrition. Other equine tooth concerns, such as abscesses, diseased teeth, or periodontal disease, can be caught early and treated before they become major oral issues.
Many young horses need their wolf teeth to be pulled in order to be comfortable with a bit; wolf teeth are small teeth that grow in the interdental space between a horse’s incisors and molars. This space is where the bit sits, so the existence of wolf teeth is often painful as the bit bangs into the teeth and they become sore.
When addressing behavioral issues under saddle, it is imperative that you rule out pain as a primary cause. Once your horse begins to associate being ridden with pain, it can be difficult to retrain your horse, even after the pain has been alleviated. If your horse’s behavioral issues persist, we recommend working with an experienced instructor or horse trainer who can work with you through the process of uncovering the root cause.
No matter what discipline you ride, a properly fitting and adjusted bit will ensure comfortable communication between you and your horse. When used correctly, a bit is a means of transmitting information without discomfort. If you would like additional information on finding the best size bit for your horse, we encourage you to refer to our blog post, How to Properly Fit a Horse Bit, or speak to a member of our friendly sales staff.
Very good thank uou