Are you considering buying a new bit for your horse? You’re certainly not alone. Often, when we encounter challenges in training, the first thing we replace is the bit. While there can absolutely be something to this, it’s also true that we—myself included—sometimes rush into purchasing a new bit too quickly. In our eagerness to create the best possible conditions for our training, we may forget to think about what’s truly best for the horse—and perhaps the bit isn’t the real issue after all. So, before you make an impulsive investment, here are six points worth considering carefully.
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The horse’s mouth is a sensitive structure, and it wasn’t designed to function as a communication tool with a bit inside. Rather, as we all know, it was made for eating and drinking. This may sound obvious, but this very fact can have significant implications for our choice of bit. The fact that a horse chews on the bit isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing—it simply proves that the horse’s mouth is designed for chewing.
The most important aspect of choosing a bit is, without question, that the horse can be ridden with it comfortably and without pain. But even the best bit can’t do that job on its own. Before rushing out to buy a new bit, we also need to take a moment to look somewhere else: inward. A bit is only as good as the hand that holds it, and in many cases, a lesson or two with a skilled trainer can achieve far more than any new bit ever could.
Perhaps you’ve heard that a particular bit is absolutely fantastic—that a three-piece bit is better than a two-piece one, or that a certain design is guaranteed to improve your training. While it’s always helpful to listen to others’ experiences, it’s equally important to remember that no two horses are the same. Focus on your own horse and your own riding. Have someone record a video of your training sessions so you can watch from an outside perspective. This will also help you determine whether the bit is truly the issue.
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A horse never acts out of spite or malice. If a horse is in pain, it doesn’t just hurt—it also causes stress and tension. That’s why pulling harder on the reins won’t help a horse that’s uncomfortable with the bit. In fact, it will only worsen the pain response. You’ll know you’ve found the right bit for your horse when you notice them becoming more relaxed. If you’ve tried changing the bit countless times without any noticeable difference, it’s likely that something other than the bit is causing the discomfort.
As mentioned, a new bit may not solve the issue right away—or at all. If your horse is truly experiencing mouth issues caused by harsh hands or an unsuitable bit, simply replacing the bit—or even addressing dental problems—won’t be enough. The only way to help a horse with mouth injuries is to give it time to heal. In other words, we must resist the urge to put something new into the horse’s mouth too quickly. Sometimes, what the horse’s mouth needs most is simply rest.
The final point isn’t about your horse—it’s about you. When you’re browsing the internet, trying to make sense of the jungle of bits available, remember to be critical—very critical. Bits, like all other gear, are manufactured to generate profit. That doesn’t mean the products are ineffective, but they’re often marketed with a touch of exaggeration to convince buyers. So once again: let yourself be guided by others’ experiences and read the manufacturers’ descriptions, but do so thoughtfully. Ultimately, trust your own experiences and pay attention to your horse’s feedback. If your horse performs best with a simple snaffle bit, take pride in that—it’s an accomplishment worth celebrating.