Bitting

ABOVE: AN EDT OR EXPERIENCED VET CAN PICK UP POTENTIAL BITTING PROBLEMS. BELOW: HANGING CHEEK SNAFFLES ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR.

CONTACT SPORT

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF BIT FOR YOUR HORSE CAN BE A MATTER OF TRIAL AND ERROR, BUT YOU CAN ALSO SEEK EXPERT HELP, SAYS HELEN TRIGGS.

Each owner owes it to their horse to find the most comfortable bit possible but it’s not an easy tas . Faced with the variety on the mar et, do some research, especially if you are having a contact problem.

Information on the internet ranges from si ing, to design style and metal composition. anufacturers provide guidance and advice on choosing and fitting and the benefits of their particular products, as do specialist bit retailers and bit hire services. he latter can be a valuable source of impartial information and advice and a number offer a helpline service. he conformation of the horse’s mouth and lips dramatically affects which bits they are comfortable wearing. he length and breadth of the tongue, fleshiness of the lips and thic ness of s in on the bars all impact on fit. al to your vet or e uine dental technician D ) they can describe the shape of the mouth and advise you if your current bit is having a detrimental effect. n D or e perienced vet can pic up potential problems by noting pinches or rubs in the mouth or on the lips. uine dentist rant hanter has also trained in bit fitting. I always as how the horse is going and if there is a contact inconsistency which is not caused by the teeth or saddle fitting, and if lameness is ruled out, the bit could be the cause. wners need to thin about the conformation of the mouth there are differing opinions on how high the bit should be and every horse is different, says rant. It’s uite common for bits to be too wide or too narrow and if the horse has a big tongue and a shallow mouth the bit will push up against the hard palate. Some horses have very thin s in on the bars of the mouth and react badly to pressure there. odern bits have been designed with the aim of reducing tongue, bar and poll pressure. owever, there is still debate between manufacturers and e perts on their benefits. ach horse is an individual and needs to be treated as such. here have been advances in the materials used for mouth pieces originally made of iron, then stainless steel, today’s bits could be composed of rubber elements, copper, titanium or silicon blends. ach has different properties and horses will respond in different ways. Sweet iron’, which encourages salivation, is believed to encourage acceptance while a titanium bit is lighter and therefore causes less pressure on the tongue.

Neue Schule’s Salox Gold range is made of a copper alloy which heats more quickly than other metals in the mouth and the company says it is more easily accepted, particularly by horses who may fuss at or resent the bit. Also worth trying for sensitive horses are the Sprenger bits made of Sensogan which is a patented mouthpiece material. The innovative mix of materials including the micronutrient manganese and a reduced copper content increases the horse’s chewing activity and salivation in a targeted manner, according to the manufacturers. nce, the simple jointed sna e was almost the only option. Various lozenge bits have been developed which have a milder action and apply pressure to the centre of the tongue. The oval-shaped arms of the Sprenger Novocontact mouthpiece widen the contact surface on the tongue while the rider keeps a steady contact. As the rider gives a rein aid, the mouthpiece turns forward and the contact surface gets narrower, ensuring more precise and eff ective communication.

The services of a ‘bit bank’ or a specialist retailer where you can hire a bit for a small cost gives you the opportunity to e periment with diff erent solutions without a major outlay. You can also see how the horse performs in it over a period of a few weeks.

“A lot of horses are labelled as naughty because the riders don’t understand what they are trying to tell them,” comments Ema Baxter of Horsebit Shop. “It’s absolutely fundamental that you treat the bit in two halves when choosing. The mouthpiece should depend on what the horse appreciates. The bit can create relaxation or evasion. There are many diff erent mouthpieces but often they are just diff erent interpretations and ways of achieving the same result.” Diff erent chee pieces can alter the pressure points, give more lift or change the balance of the horse. “Hanging cheeks are growing in popularity because they ta e the pressure off the poll,” says Ema. sing a bit fi tter is also an option. hey will assess the horse in person and recommend bits which you can try at the time. very horse’s anatomy is diff erent, e plains bit consultant James Cooling. “We make a detailed examination of the head, chec the bridle fi tting and the current bit and see the horse ridden in the bit we recommend. here’s more recognition of the eff ects of tongue pressure but be aware some bits then increase pressure on the bars. Bits marketed as ‘nice’ may not suit the anatomy of the horse.”

As horses are individuals, and the mouth is such a sensitive area, there can never be fi ed rules but by doing your homework, experimentation, perseverance and as ing for advice from e perts, you can fi nd the perfect bit for your horse.

ABOVE: BITS ARE NOW MADE FROM A RANGE OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS, WHICH MAY HELP HORSES THAT FAIL TO ACCEPT THE TRADITIONAL STAINLESS STEEL.

LEFT: SARAH HAWKINS TRIED A NUMBER OF BITS BEFORE FINDING A SOLUTION FOR HER MARE PARIS.

EXPERT EXPERIMENT

the Horsebit Shop who recommended a hanging cheek When trainer and rider Sarah Hawkins acquired her Neue Schule Turtle Top which gave me more stability and 15-year-old mare, Paris, the horse had the habit of 15-year-old mare, Paris, the horse had the habit of precision in the half halts. protruding her tongue between her front teeth. protruding her tongue between her front teeth. “I wanted to transition to a double. Knowing that Paris It was discovered she had a billowing soft palate, It was discovered she had a billowing soft palate, found the Turtle Top mouthpiece comfortable, and with a condition normally found in race horses. The a condition normally found in race horses. The advice again from Vicky, I tried a Neue Schule loose search for the perfect bit started during her search for the perfect bit started during her ring Turtle Top bridoon with a ‘Slimma’ Weymouth. This kissing spine rehabilitation. kissing spine rehabilitation. combination has been successful and I now have the “I watched some Myler videos and put “I watched some Myler videos and put precision aids on the end of the rein, and Paris is happy to her into a Myler hanging cheek low port her into a Myler hanging cheek low port take the contact forward without grabbing. Her tongue is comfort snaffl e, which gave great results. comfort snaffl e, which gave great results. away about 85% of the time now.” She began to move her neck and work over She began to move her neck and work over “There’s a terrifying number of bits on the market so her back,” said Sarah. her back,” said Sarah. Vicky’s expert advice on the phone and the ability to trial The more Paris progressed and engaged her core, The more Paris progressed and engaged her core, the bits was so worthwhile.” the stronger she became in the contact, so it was the stronger she became in the contact, so it was time for a change. “I consulted Vicky Marshall from time for a change. “I consulted Vicky Marshall from

BITTING

PRODUCT WATCH

SPRENGER KK ULTRA SNAFFLE

has been designed to provide the optimum shape bits to fi t the anatomy of the horses mouth. The ergonomically designed mouthpiece is shaped to lie unobtrusively in the horse's mouth, resulting in a soft and even pressure on the entire tongue area, encouraging the horse to accept the contact willingly and in a relaxed manner. The angled lozenge in the centre of this Sprenger bit is tilted forward by 45 degrees for comfort, and utilises the exceptional sensitivity of the tongue. The 16mm mouthpiece is ideal for most horses and is the most popular size.

RRP FROM £115.70 | zebraproducts.co.uk

MYLER WEYMOUTHS are unique in

having the Myler’s own special Independent Side Movement, for a clearer lateral aid. “We use Myler Bits to help us create a confi dent connection with our young horses. The independent side movement in the Weymouth is an exciting innovation and allows the rider a more precise feel and communication”– Anna Ross.

RRP £195.95 | shawsequestrian.com

BOMBERS ELLIPTICAL DRESSAGE

CONTROL is curved and fl attened to distribute pressure evenly over the tongue and bars, allowing for a more relaxed contact. Lydia Heywood changed to Bombers in her horse Flynn’s fi fth year. “Previously I could expect a little ‘grabbing’ on the reins if a change of bend was coming, however the Loose Ring Elliptical Dressage Control provides comfort and confi dence in his balance,” she says.

RRP £68

facebook.com/BomberBlueBitsUK

MYLER BRIDOONS have Independent Side Movement, as well as small ports for tongue freedom and swallowing. “We use Myler Bits to help us create a confi dent connection with our young horses. “The independent side movement is an exciting innovation and allows the rider a more precise feel and communication” – Anna Ross.

RRP FROM £104.95 | shawsequestrian.com