Rider, Horse and Bit. Getting the Competitive Edge.

The wide variety of different types of horse bit is confusing.  What has caused this variety to come about?   This variety has arisen over time in response to the needs of different riders and their specific activity.  Also what might be surprising to the non horse person is the great variety of different horse activities.  This variety has been an important driver in the origin of differently performing horse bits and especially in competition where this can be difference in winning and loosing.

Probably the three most popular or well known horse activities are horse racing, equestrian events such as show jumping, and sports such as polo and driving.  The different horsemanship requirements in these very different areas require different horse bits to maximise the chance of success. 

In horse racing the Dee-ring snaffle bit, also known as the racing snaffle is one of the most widely used designs.  The Dee-ring snaffle has two rings either side of the mouthpiece with the distinctive D shape. The straight bars of the Dee-ring is pulled against the side of the mouth opposite to the rein pulled, engaging with the side of the horse’s mouth to provide the ability to guide the horse and turn as required in a race.

Eventing is a multi-discipline event involving dressage, cross-country and show jumping which tests the ability and adaptability of the horse and the rider to the limit. It is this wide variety of needs that looks like defying choosing perfect multipurpose horse bits.  One needs fine control during dressage, somewhat more free rein for jumping so that the horse can gain time between fences and finally in the case of cross country allowing the horse to efficiently apply power, and not be fighting unnecessary control by the rider.

In show jumping in general it is popular to use a bit that gives more control especially with a heavier horse that might lean on the bit or take hold.  Gag bits are a popular solution and when rein pressure is applied the bit slides upward rotating slightly in the mouth so giving a firm signal to the horse. Show jumpers find the Cheltenham a popular type of gag bit. The Cheltenham gag is a specific gag bit often used by show jumpers.  It has “eggbutt” rings, which help prevent the lip pinching that can occur with a loose ring snaffle.

Where the snaffle looses its effect the curb can step in where it provides extra leverage to the riders rein control.  In show jumping the swales 3-in-1 which is a modification of the old Swales driving bit has become popular with show jumpers whom have found it effective with strong horses which are common in show jumping events .  Also as the Swales doesn’t generate any poll pressure it works nicely with horses who tend to go overbent. 

Some horses have a tendency to rush off after clearing a fence and which affects the whole balance of the round. It might be easy to opt for a curb bit that will pull up the horse but as is often the case it is desireable to train the behaviour into the horse rather than force behaviour by control. Be aware that a horse that rushes his fences may be reacting to a bit they are finding uncomfortable .

For dressage except for the upper levels, where the double bridle is allowed, horses are constrained to only go in snaffles. And only certain type of snaffles as well. For cross country the rules on horse tack are significantly more flexible and allows the use of gag bits, hackamores and a simple noseband.

The types of issues that the every day horse rider has to address in their choice of horse bit are not far removed from the issues of the experienced professional riders in horse racing, show jumping and the like.  However the effectiveness of the relationship between rider and horse is typically achieved through the intelligent hands of the rider and not the application of a particular bit to fix a particular problem