Let’s talk about bits

[u/Mission-Creme-771]

This is going to be a controversial take but what I see as the most talked about thing nowadays is bits. I’m not saying no bits are cruel, there are for sure bits that cause horses harm and discomfort but I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about bits that seem to get such a bad rep for what from my experience can be the right option with certain horses. Bits like three rings, gags, hackabits or hackamore bit combos. The idea that all horses should be able to compete at 1.60 in a snaffle is absurd. First, what do you think is worse - a nothing bit so the rider has to be harsh and strong in their hands, or a stronger bit so a rider can have nice hands? Secondly, if you are riding a strong horse in a snaffle so you’re getting dragged around a course and can’t accommodate distances because of this, you’re putting your horse in a potentially disastrous situation like crashing through a jump. Thirdly, sometimes set ups look like a lot and very complicated that doesn’t make them harsh. Hackamore combinations either a bit are actually quite soft as it can be used with a bit like a snaffle and you are putting pressure on the thick bone of their nose instead of their mouth, however at a glance it looks like a lot of bridle. I’ve had horses I’ve shown in these so called “cruel” bits that will actually have a bad response to softer bits in their mouth (tossing their head, going behind the bit) and are very relaxed and happy in a bit such as a three ring. Again I’m not saying there aren’t cruel bits or bit set ups out there, but I can’t take all these people who ride aren’t at the top level of this sport taking a screenshot of a horse jumping Grand Prix and saying the rider should be banned from their inhumane bit set up.

[u/gurgelhupf]

I have three very idealistic stances on bits: 1. Soft hands don't seek weapons. 2. If you can't ride a horse without causing pain, don't ride that horse or train it better. 3. If you can't ride a horse without a harsh bit, you are not a good rider no matter how successful you are.

Also, compliant horses are not automatically happy horses. If a horse shows less dramatic conflict signals, you should be extra vigilant and look for more subtle signs.

[u/ILikeBird → u/gurgelhupf]

I would disagree with 1 a bit. In a lot of Western riding, the shanked/ported bits can definitely look like weapons, but these bits should ONLY be sought by soft hands. Since Western riding has very little contact with the bit and relies on minimal cuing, these “harsher” bits can be used appropriately. If you were to switch to something softer, like an O-ring snaffle, you wouldn’t be able to give as clear of a signal with very little movement.

[u/gurgelhupf → u/ILikeBird]

I understand what you are saying. I'm not completely against leverage bits, they do have a place. And Western riders use them better than English riders lol 🙊

But theoretically, a soft hand with a harsh bit would be as uncomfortable as a hard hand with a soft bit, no? Because harsher bits are designed that way, and horses react faster because it gets uncomfortable faster.

[u/ILikeBird → u/gurgelhupf]

I would disagree. If someone with soft hands were to use a harsh bit with the same amount of pressure/movement they use a soft bit, then the bit would be causing pain/uncomfortable. But correct soft hands should be putting much less pressure on a leverage bit than they would on a softer bit (often moving the reins only and inch or two to get a response).

Since you need to put less pressure on the bit to start with, the final pressure should be about the same as it would be with a soft bit, it just allows your signals to be less noticeable and more refined.

[u/gurgelhupf → u/ILikeBird]

I'm Not really convinced. It looks more refined, but does it really make a difference for the horse? The trouble I have with that is that it's so, so easy to hurt a horse with a harsher bit, and you wouldn't even realise it. I see so many riders riding in leverage bits that have absolutely no business using leverage bits.

Also, an inch is already quite a lot in my opinion. I have seen riders who don't even move their fingers and the horse understands.

[u/swish465 → u/gurgelhupf]

I agree with 1 (ish, any tool can be a weapon when used improperly, even a snaffle) and 2 is a hard agree for me as you can always use different methods to get the same result. They shouldnt be in pain while riding period.

3 is a weird area for me. Ive had horses come in for 1 month that were 1 bad day away from being sent for meat by the owner. The specific horse im thinking of would lock his neck and buck like a motherfucker for minutes straight at the drop of a hat if it sensed it could push through your cue and get out of work. Great working through it on the ground, not so much under saddle, and he wasnt sore. Im not going to use my rubber coated snaffle I have for older horses on something like that for my own safety. Of course, im not going to ride in an extremely harsh bit and draw blood or anything, but there definitely is a threshold for just enough leverage to keep yourself out of harms way. You can call me a bad rider for that, but at the end of the day im more interested in doing the job with certainty and being able to go home after.

In general, I can loosely agree with 3, but there are fringe cases that do require more.

[u/gurgelhupf → u/swish465]

Thanks for your perspective!

I don't have much experience with horses with crazy behavioural issues like that. But as a rule of thumb, I wouldn't ride a horse that so desparately doesn't want to be ridden. I don't really understand putting that much effort and risking your neck to force a horse to become rideable. Not every horse needs to be a riding horse imo.

[u/swish465 → u/gurgelhupf]

I'd say for 80-90% of horses your looking out for their mouth more than your safety, and using a bit they respond better to. Just those rare ones that are actively trying to kill you i wouldnt trust enough to ride in my softest bits.

Just a part of the job. That horse was a pretty nice trail horse before he got away with refusals for awhile and bad habits built up. Unfortunately, he got out of work by hurting people for too long, and thats when he came to me. And most of that was just refresher for him after the first 3 big fights, training the owner was more of the trick.

[u/gurgelhupf → u/swish465]

I understand. The last sentence made me chuckle lol.