Sponsored
by
"Bitless Horse Association"
Have
you ever wondered if there is an alternative to
using a bit?
Many
horse owners, especially with the rise in interest in natural horsemanship
techniques, are questioning the use of bits,
either because they feel it is unnecessary in their communication and
relationship with their horse, or because they
feel that their horse might not be comfortable wearing a bit.
Can
bits cause a problem?
Many horses
have no problem with bits and are happy with them throughout their lives. But
due to the conformation of the horse’s mouth, sensitive horses can show signs
of discomfort from bit use.
The bars of the mouth, on which many bits activate,
are not flat but are ridges of bone protected only by a 2mm layer of fibrous
tissue and membrane. The bars also contain part of the mandibular branch of the
trigeminal nerve which is distributed throughout the whole of the horse’s head.
The mandibular branch is also present in the soft tissues of the tongue, lower
lip, chin and gums.
Research has shown that pain experienced in one part of the
trigeminal nerve can appear as pain and sensitivity in other parts of the head.
This pain can manifest itself as facial neuralgia and may be the cause of many
other problems such as head shyness, hypersensitivity and head shaking. It is
also worth remembering that the hands that hold the reins have a large part to
play in what pressure the horse feels from the bit - so
soft, light hands should be every rider’s aim.
How
can I tell if my horse is uncomfortable with a
bit?
There
are many different signs of bit discomfort from physical to behavioural, from
the obvious to the less so, and in a study by Dr Bob Cook, 96 different signs
of discomfort have been identified, which in some horses have been attributable
to the bit including:
- Difficult to catch, bridle
or mount
- Putting the tongue over the
bit
What
can I do if my
horse seems uncomfortable with the bit?
- Have his teeth checked – a
common cause of bit problems
- Check the bit fits your
horse
- Swap to a different bit – a
different shape bit might have a positive effect
- Check your riding – some
horses can get upset even with the smallest movements of the bit
- Check your training – any
horse which is very strong in the hand or leans on the bit has training issues
not bitting issues
The
benefits of bitless bridles
As
the pressure from a bitless bridle is usually much lighter and softer than with
a bit the communication you have with the horse needs to be far more effective
and this leads to better riding and often to horses who are easier to ride and
respond to lighter aids.
Many
horses who are ridden in a bitless bridle have more freedom of movement and
more expressive paces.
Often
behavioural problems are decreased or even eliminated when using a bitless
bridle.
Which
bitless bridle?
There
are many different bitless bridles available on the market today and there is
usually something to suit every horse. These work on different pressure points,
most commonly on the poll, jaw, nose, curb groove and whole head and how they
act are suitable for a variety of horses and how they respond to the pressure.
Usually sensitive horses respond better to very light pressure or just pressure
to the curb groove, whereas some horses like the steadying feel of whole head
pressure.
Other
factors to consider when choosing a bitless bridle are the horses training and
experience, the horse’s characteristics, which activities the horse will be
used for and rider experience.
Have Your Say
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