{"id":7030,"date":"2017-01-23T14:20:21","date_gmt":"2017-01-23T13:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/?p=7030"},"modified":"2021-09-02T16:56:50","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T15:56:50","slug":"bit-fitting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/bit-fitting\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Minutes to Understand Bit fitting for your Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Putting a bit in your horse\u2019s mouth has become a habit so rooted in our daily life that we often forget that this metal bar is anything but innocuous. A lot of articles spring up on the internet to warn us that bits hurt our horses, and are often <strong>highly guilt-creating<\/strong> towards using bits. But few are the articles that actually explain<strong> how the bits work and how to chose them<\/strong>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We won\u2019t mention here bitless solutions because the article would be too long. However, this is something we can talk about later. What we\u2019re going to talk about today is going to be rather: <strong>What action do the different bits have? Why should I pick a type of bit or another for my horse? How do I know if the bit I have suits my horse?<\/strong> And this without advocating for one solution or another.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Huge thanks to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.equibitfit.com\/\">G\u00e9raldine Vandevenne, bitfitter<\/a>, for proof reading me<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/equisense1.typeform.com\/to\/KORD7WKd#source_acquisition=Blog&amp;campaign_acquisition=Bit_fitting_EN&amp;campaign_comm=TRC_rentree_2021&amp;medium_acquisition=Image\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-1024x609.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31041\" width=\"487\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-1024x609.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-768x457.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-454x270.jpg 454w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-850x505.jpg 850w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN.jpg 1495w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Click on the image to download the free Top Rider Challenge 2021. Take advantage of a detailed 15-day training program, to train with the discipline of champions!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table des mati&egrave;res<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#On-what-anatomical-structures-does-the-bit-act\">On what anatomical structures does the bit act?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-to-choose-a-bit-that-fits-my-horses-mouth\">How to choose a bit that fits my horse\u2019s mouth?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-do-plain-bits-act\">How do plain bits act?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Why-are-the-mouthpieces-shaped-weirdly\">Why are the mouthpieces shaped weirdly?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What-does-the-ring-shape-change\">What does the ring shape change?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-do-a-Pessoa-or-a-Pelham-act-on-my-horses-mouth\">How do a Pessoa or a Pelham act on my horse\u2019s mouth?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What-difference-between-the-materials\">What difference between the materials?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"On-what-anatomical-structures-does-the-bit-act\"><strong>On what anatomical structures does the bit act?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bit, as it lays in the mouth, is resting on <strong>the bars<\/strong>. It\u2019s this space without teeth between the incisors and the molars. The bit acts on key anatomical contact points which are highly sensitive:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>the tongue<\/strong>, muscular, which is more sensitive to pinching than it is to pressure. It\u2019s size varies depending on the horse.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>the corner of the lips<\/strong> are a bit more sensitive<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>the bars<\/strong> which are <strong>really, really sensitive<\/strong> &#x1f628;. It\u2019s actually a mucous membrane lying directly on the lower jaw bone (which is really sharp &#x1f52a;)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lastly,<strong> the mandibular nerve<\/strong> which is <strong>extremely sensitive<\/strong>. It becomes even more so when trapped against the chin bone and a curb chain. It\u2019s then interesting to have a<strong> leather protection<\/strong> (rubber warps and is often too thick). We\u2019ll go back to that later.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We can judge the harshness of a bit without even using it by simply analyzing its impact on every contact point. It is the first step in bit fitting. Remember this: <strong>the horse\u2019s mouth is as sensitive as the human\u2019s<\/strong>!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p><em>&#x1f4da; Read more: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/mares-heat-cycle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How mares are different from women<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"How-to-choose-a-bit-that-fits-my-horses-mouth\"><strong>How to choose a bit that fits my horse\u2019s mouth?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s a good question, that we should ask ourselves more often. We are always thinking about the action we want the bit to have, but the important thing is to have a bit fitting our horse\u2019s mouth. Here are 3 important points:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The size of the bit<\/strong> (in mm) has to be chosen <strong>according to the ring type<\/strong>. An <strong>o-ring snaffle<\/strong> bit have to stick out for 5 mm on each side of the mouth (or else you risk pinching the skin). An <strong>eggbutt snaffle<\/strong> bit has to stick out for only <strong>about 2 mm &#x1f4cf;<\/strong><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The thickness of the mouthpiece<\/strong> has to be adjusted to the mouth. To check this, open your horse\u2019s mouth around the bars when its mouth is closed. The mouthpiece <strong>can\u2019t be bigger than the space between the two bars<\/strong> or else the horse simply can\u2019t close its mouth. The thickness of the mouthpiece also has to take into account <strong>the thickness of your horse\u2019s tongue<\/strong> and in doing so, the free space in the mouth.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The height of the bit<\/strong> (which you will adjust with the cheekpieces). It has to be adjusted so <strong>the bit isn\u2019t in contact with the teeth<\/strong> (incisors or molars). This way, according to your horse\u2019s mouth, you\u2019ll have a different number or folds at the corner of the lips. <strong>We usually go for 2 folds<\/strong>, but you have to adjust to your horse. Some need 0 folds, some need 4.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"How-do-plain-bits-act\"><strong>How do plain bits act?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s dive into the heart of the matter. A plain bit (so with a single ring and no curb chain) <strong>acts mainly on the corner of the lips<\/strong>. But be careful: this depends on the angle between the head and the neck. Or rather, the <strong>angle between its mouth and your hands<\/strong>!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more the mouth is <strong>parallel<\/strong> to your hands (neck extension or high hands), the more you\u2019ll act on the <strong>corner of the lips<\/strong>. If the mouth is <strong>perpendicular<\/strong> (horse behind the vertical or hands very low) the <strong>action will only be on the bars<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_commissures.png\" alt=\"bit action \" class=\"wp-image-7054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_commissures.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_commissures-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_commissures-768x378.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_commissures-1024x504.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_commissures-549x270.png 549w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_barres.png\" alt=\"bit action\" class=\"wp-image-7057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_barres.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_barres-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_barres-768x378.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_barres-1024x504.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/action_barres-549x270.png 549w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Why-are-the-mouthpieces-shaped-weirdly\"><strong>Why are the mouthpieces shaped weirdly?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shape of the mouthpiece changed everything. Firstly, the number of \u201cjoints\u201d on the mouthpiece is important.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Straight bar bits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>A straight bar bit acts more on the tongue<\/strong>. The tongue cushions the bit\u2019s action away from the bars. These bits however lack precision because both sides aren\u2019t separated. They are said to be softer but <strong>not all horses can handle the pressure on their tongue<\/strong>.<br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The impact on the tongue can have <strong>big repercussions on locomotion<\/strong>. Indeed, the tongue is attached to the hyoid bone. It&#8217;s linked to muscles going towards the sternum and is articulated with the skull. So the tongue isn\u2019t just in the mouth\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"362\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_droit.png\" alt=\"straight bar bit\" class=\"wp-image-7060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_droit.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_droit-300x105.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_droit-768x268.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_droit-1024x357.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_droit-604x211.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Jointed bits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Jointed mouthpieces (single or double jointed)<\/strong> will fold in the middle when the rider acts with its reins. Depending on the shape of the bit and the rider\u2019s hand position towards the mouth, they can <strong>create a point which will press on the horse\u2019s palate<\/strong>. However, their actions on the bars will be different.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Single jointed bits can have a \u201cnutcracker\u201d effect depending on the rides hand position. This creates a pression on the horse\u2019s bars by \u201cfreeing\u201d the tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"323\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_brises.png\" alt=\"jointed bit\" class=\"wp-image-7063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_brises.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_brises-300x93.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_brises-768x239.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_brises-1024x319.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_brises-604x188.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>A double jointed bit will be more precise<\/strong> since the two sides will be separated better than with a straight or single jointed bit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7066 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_doublebrisure.png\" alt=\"bit fitting double jointed bit\" width=\"1037\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_doublebrisure.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_doublebrisure-300x93.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_doublebrisure-768x239.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_doublebrisure-1024x319.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_doublebrisure-604x188.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/>Other bits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also find <strong>mouthing bits<\/strong> to help the horse relax, or <strong>spoon bits<\/strong> to prevent the horse from getting its tongue over the bit. However be aware that <strong>if a horse tries to get its tongue over the bit, it\u2019s because its hurting<\/strong>! So keeping it from getting its tongue over the bit won\u2019t solve the problem. <strong>Medium port bits<\/strong> will free the tongue bit they will increase pressure on the bars. These bits however have a relatively small tongue space, therefore they can\u2019t free the whole tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s also keep in mind that <strong>the thinner the mouthpiece, the harsher the action is<\/strong>. Indeed, when the contact area is reduced, the pressure rises. Also, a small reminder of elementary physics: Pressure = Force \/ Surface. So to lower the pressure, either you diminish the force or you increase the contact surface.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this case for <strong>twisted mouthpieces<\/strong> with sharp edges the bit <strong>can become extremely severe<\/strong>\u2026 &#x1f631;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"What-does-the-ring-shape-change\"><strong>What does the ring shape change?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the type of bit, the rings will slide or won\u2019t. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>If they don\u2019t slide<\/strong>, like with a eggbutt or a d-ring, <strong>the time delaying the rider\u2019s hands action on the horse\u2019s mouth will be decreased<\/strong>. That\u2019s what makes them <strong>more accurate<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The shape of the ring<\/strong>&nbsp;in itself (D-ring, full cheeks, half cheeks) will influence the ease to <strong>lead the horse<\/strong>. If the ring is bigger, the rider\u2019s hands action will be received by a bigger zone of the horse\u2019s mouth and it will be easier to choose a direction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"323\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_aiguille.png\" alt=\"bit fitting full cheek \" class=\"wp-image-7069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_aiguille.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_aiguille-300x93.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_aiguille-768x239.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_aiguille-1024x319.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/mors_aiguille-604x188.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the <strong>half cheeks<\/strong>\u2019 ring is flat, it softens the action (contact zone increased = pressure decreased). By the way if, like I did, you\u2019ve wondered about this for a while: if the half cheeks ring goes downwards, its only action is to stop the bit from leaving the horse\u2019s mouth. However if it goes upwards, it has the same action as a full cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"How-do-a-Pessoa-or-a-Pelham-act-on-my-horses-mouth\"><strong>How do a Pessoa or a Pelham act on my horse\u2019s mouth?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s important in these bits, it\u2019s <strong>whether or not they have a curb chain<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Bits without curb chains (Baucher, Pessoa\u2026)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For bits with <strong>no curb chains<\/strong> (Baucher or Pessoa bits for instance), when the rider acts with their hands the upper ring (where the cheek piece hangs) will shift forward. This will apply pressure on the base of the neck and the horse will lower its head. <strong>The bit goes up in the mouth to act on the corner of the lips.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u21d2 That\u2019s the <strong>elevating action<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This action will be <strong>stronger if the upper ring is long or has an important diameter<\/strong>. The longest, the more the bit will rise up and act on the neck.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7072 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pessoa.png\" alt=\"bit fitting pessoa\" width=\"1037\" height=\"510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pessoa.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pessoa-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pessoa-768x378.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pessoa-1024x504.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pessoa-549x270.png 549w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Curb chains bits (Pelham, Goyo, Lhotte&#8230;)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>When there is indeed a curb chain<\/strong> (like with a Pelham bit), the upper ring will tilt forward and put pressure on the back of the neck the same way. However the bit won\u2019t be able to go up because of the curb chain. It will <strong>instead press harder on the bars, and the curb chain will compress the bone and the mandibular nerve<\/strong>. The horse won\u2019t have a choice than to close it\u2019s head-neck angle to <strong>avoid this harsh action<\/strong>. \u21d2 That\u2019s the <strong>lowering action<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This way the lower you attach the reins (so the <strong>branch is longer<\/strong>),<strong> the stronger the action<\/strong>. A reminder that a well adjusted curb chain only tenses when the branch has a 45\u00b0 action in the mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pelham.png\" alt=\"bit fitting pelham\" class=\"wp-image-7075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pelham.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pelham-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pelham-768x378.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pelham-1024x504.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/pelham-549x270.png 549w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"What-difference-between-the-materials\"><strong>What difference between the materials?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are indeed a lot of different materials. Steel, Copper, Rubber, Plastics\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s important is:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Black rubber can cause chaffing<\/strong><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Plastics deteriorate easily and can cause lining sores<\/strong><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Leather is often too big<\/strong> and the seams can be uncomfortable. Also the leather is chemically treated\u2026<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Copper<\/strong> (never used alone, only as an alloy) <strong>makes the horse salivate<\/strong> and helps with relaxation<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Nickel<\/strong>, used in a lot of alloys (like brass) can be allergenic to some horses<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Alloys<\/strong> in general are softer. Some conduct heat better or can be lighter.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A little advice: when it\u2019s cold outside, <strong>try to heat up the bit before putting it in your horse\u2019s mouth<\/strong>. It\u2019s not great to suck on ice cubes mid-winter! &#x2603;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Bit fitting is really important. This choice should be made by taking into account your horse\u2019s preferences and their own anatomy<\/strong>. Your horse might not be able to handle a \u201csofter\u201d bit. It\u2019s better to use a more severe bit when it\u2019s well adjusted and your horse enjoys it, than using a softer bit not suited to its mouth. Let\u2019s also keep in mind that the bridle also has an important impact on your horse\u2019s relaxation. If you have any doubts, don\u2019t hesitate to contact a <strong>bitfitter<\/strong>: that\u2019s their job! They will try to help you find a good compromise for the horse and rider by taking into account the couple\u2019s age, level, and field. While trying to avoid the vicious spiral of harsher and more severe bits.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bit will be soft if it fits the horse and the rider.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>The issue of a harsh hand<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is important in terms of bit fitting is : the <strong style=\"color: rgb(242, 105, 42); font-weight: 400;\">adjusting, the type of bit, the material&#8230; but at the end of the day, the hand at the end of the reins is what counts the most.&nbsp;<\/strong>A studied showed it: if the tension in the reins is too important, the behavior (teeth grinding, tongue over the bit\u2026) will continue even after you change the bit (Manfredi et al.,2010). So if your horse opens its mouth on its bit, or grinds its teeth, or any other defensive behavior, ask yourself this: is the bit adjusted and did I chose the right one? is my horse hurting somewhere? But most importantly: <strong style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is my hand too harsh<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you remove any problems linked to adjusting and changing the bit, tightening the noseband won\u2019t solve anything. <strong>No foot, no horse, but no mouth no horse either<\/strong>. So to a severe bit, a soft hand, and to a soft bit\u2026 a soft hand as well!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHaving a plethora of contrivances to control the horse doesn\u2019t allow us to hear it. You can\u2019t listen to a horse you silence.\u201d G\u00e9n\u00e9ral d\u2019Aure.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Camille Saute<\/strong><br><strong>R&amp;D leader at Equisense<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h6>Bibliography<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h6><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">J.M. Manfredi, D. Rosenstein, J.L. Lanovaz, S. Nauwelaerts, H.M. Clayton, 2010, Fluoroscopic study of oral behaviours in response to the presence of a bit and the effects of rein tension, Comparative Exercise Physiology 6(4); 143\u2013148<br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delavenna V., 2003, Les mors et enr\u00eanements : mode d\u2019action, utilisation, application \u00e0 la biom\u00e9canique et au travail du cheval, th\u00e8se v\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire, Universit\u00e9 Claude Bernard Lyon I<\/span><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Putting a bit in your horse\u2019s mouth has become a habit so rooted in our&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/bit-fitting\/\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":30276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6177],"tags":[6571,6530,6173],"yst_prominent_words":[6538,6556,6554,6536,811,6562,6561,815,855,6557,6534,6555,6551,6550,808,6567,756,6563,6570],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7030"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7030"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31050,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7030\/revisions\/31050"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7030"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=7030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}