Hilly Report post Posted May 5, 2009 Some of you have heard me admit that I can barely tell the difference between the front and back of a horse. I'm wondering why there are so many styles of bits, and what's the difference between one style and the next? I mean some are huge hunks of metal laying across a horses tongue, some are slender, but hinged, some have a curve in them, some bridles (bosal) don't even have a bit etc. Does one type give more sensation to the horse than others? Are they used for different types of work? Someone please enlighten me! I'm just curious and a bit puzzled by it all. Guess I'd never make a good horse owner. I'd just put mine on a leash, and take it for a walk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted May 5, 2009 I can't really answer your questions, cause I'm in the same boat as you, but there are differences e.g training bits, show bits, etc. The pros will chime in, I'm sure. I just wanted you to know that you made me laugh a good one..."put a leash on him, and take him for a walk"..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted May 5, 2009 You might get a more pro response than mine, but here are my "bits of knowledge" (LOL!) I grew up on a small farm in NJ. We rode both Western and English, and primarily had Arabians. I also took lessons on Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred mixes and showed jumping for a few years. We had one old mare that only used a hackamore: a bridle with no bit. Her mouth had been mistreated over the years, and bits were too harsh for her. One time at a lesson, a horse I was on took the bit between his teeth and took off at a gallop. As a small teen, it was impossible for me to stop him. He ran around the ring for a while before tuckering himself out. Bits come, as you've mentioned, in many shapes an varieties. The difference is primarily in what you need it for, and on the horse itself. Some horses have tougher mouths than others. The bit should go over the tongue. When, seated on the horse, you pull on the reins, it puts pressure on the mouth to direct the horse. (Of course, most times you use your legs too) I haven't ridden in years, but I'll be honest with you in saying I would use either no bit or a very basic one if given the choice. But some horses really do need it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorsehairBraider Report post Posted May 5, 2009 A bit is a tool for communication. It also can help to do such things as: encourage a horse to carry his head higher; encourage a horse to carry his head lower; turn in a particular way, stop in a particular way etc. Some bits are milder than others, but they feel differently to the horse. If they are thinner they feel differently, if they are thicker, made out of a different metal etc. So you are trying to find a bit that communicates well between you and that particular horse, and it can depend on what you are trying to get him to do. A lot of it has to do with the horse and the horse's preference. Some horses are very nervous, and a bit with a roller can give them something to do besides fret. Some horses have a very low roof of mouth, so a bit that might look "mean" can be perfect for that horse - sort of like a lollipop. (I'm speaking of spoon bits here.) Another bit, that works well on one horse, can hurt the mouth of another, due to a different build in the mouth. Then you have to take into consideration the training (or lack thereof) in an individual horse, and the different amounts of sensitivity in different horses. Also, some people can handle certain bits really well - they have the right hands (sensitivity) to handle that bit. So it's not just the horse that has to have training - the rider must have good training too, and we say such a rider has "good hands". A rider with good hands and a good "feel" for the horse, can ride just about any horse in just about any bit - but there are still some that will work better, or worse, to make things easier, or harder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echo4V Report post Posted May 5, 2009 it could take weeks to explain all about bits, and I'm not the best explainer anyway so...here is a link to a thread on another forum where a young lady does a very good job of explaining the different bits and uses. Hope this link works http://forum.horsetopia.com/tack-apparel-e...ing-thread.html David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted May 5, 2009 it could take weeks to explain all about bits, and I'm not the best explainer anyway so...here is a link to a thread on another forum where a young lady does a very good job of explaining the different bits and uses.Hope this link works http://forum.horsetopia.com/tack-apparel-e...ing-thread.html David Thanks, David. That was very informative! I learned a lot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
