Least severe bit?

[Bananyman]

I find a lot of conflicting opinions on whether French link/flat lozenge/multi joined bits are more or less severe in the tongue pressure they apply compared to a simple snaffle. I also have seen conflicting opinions on ported Mullen mouth bits, some saying they're the most gentle bit, others saying they can hurt the palette.

Presuming correct use of the bits (a stable contact, not severe but reasonable use of the rein aids), what do you consider the most gentle bit to use in the mouth? And what do you think of the balance between bar and tongue pressure?

 

[spotty_pony]

The saying ‘the bit is only as severe as the hands that are holding the reins’ is completely true if I am honest. A lot of it depends on the individual horse’s mouth and size of tongue etc as what is considered gentle for one, won’t be for another.

 

[ycbm]

Amy beat me to it. The one in the least severe hands.

A more severe bit used gently will be less severe than a less severe bit that has to be used forcibly to work.

As for the rest of the questions, it depends on the mouth conformation of the horse.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Any beat me to it. The one in the least severe hands.


a for the rest of the questions, it depends on the mouth conformation of the horse.

and being ridden from the leg to the hand, something that seems to be beyond many.

 

[ycbm]

ported Mullen mouth bits,

A mullen mouth is a gentle curve, it does not have a port.

 

[Winters100]

I can't answer which would be in theory the less severe, but I would say that the best bit for a horse is the one that he is happy with. One of my geldings came with what looked to me like a terribly strong bit. For sure someone here will know the name, but it escapes me. It looks like a gag, but with 2 bars, both broken but at different points, and bars are fairly narrow. I changed him to a snaffle which he hated, threw his head around and was unhappy. We now use the bit he came with, horse is happy so I am happy. Someone here told me that this bit is often liked by horses with fat tongues, so maybe that is it. Luckily for my discipline we do not need contact, and he stops with my seat, so his mouth is rarely touched.

 

[Cortez]

I can't answer which would be in theory the less severe, but I would say that the best bit for a horse is the one that he is happy with. One of my geldings came with what looked to me like a terribly strong bit. For sure someone here will know the name, but it escapes me. It looks like a gag, but with 2 bars, both broken but at different points, and bars are fairly narrow. I changed him to a snaffle which he hated, threw his head around and was unhappy. We now use the bit he came with, horse is happy so I am happy. Someone here told me that this bit is often liked by horses with fat tongues, so maybe that is it. Luckily for my discipline we do not need contact, and he stops with my seat, so his mouth is rarely touched.

It sounds like you are using a “W” mouth bit, which is indeed a horrific bit. I’ve only ever seen one used in the USA (where there are some real instruments of torture, unfortunately). There are a whole array of bits which would suit a horse with a large tongue, as there are for horses which don’t like the pinching action of the snaffle. A W mouth cannot be used for any sort of refined training.

 

[Winters100]

It sounds like you are using a “W” mouth bit, which is indeed a horrific bit. I’ve only ever seen one used in the USA (where there are some real instruments of torture, unfortunately). There are a whole array of bits which would suit a horse with a large tongue, as there are for horses which don’t like the pinching action of the snaffle. A W mouth cannot be used for any sort of refined training.

It looks like this:

https://www.ikonicsaddlery.com/en/products/ikonic-gag-bit-large-ring-double-jointed-mouthepiece-

But luckily the discipline that we ride does not require me to have contact with his mouth, so I don't worry too much. The only thing that I find a bit trying is that I do not feel able to let anyone else have a sit on him with this in his mouth, so he is a horse only for me. I know that you have a lot of experience, so i you have any other suggestions as to what else he might like I would be very glad to hear, because although I have not worried about it too much I would be very pleased to try something else

 

[Cortez]

It looks like this:

https://www.ikonicsaddlery.com/en/products/ikonic-gag-bit-large-ring-double-jointed-mouthepiece-

But luckily the discipline that we ride does not require me to have contact with his mouth, so I don't worry too much. The only thing that I find a bit trying is that I do not feel able to let anyone else have a sit on him with this in his mouth, so he is a horse only for me. I know that you have a lot of experience, so i you have any other suggestions as to what else he might like I would be very glad to hear, because although I have not worried about it too much I would be very pleased to try something else

Yep, that’s a W mouth, very severe pinching action, can’t even imagine how the gag affects it. I can’t really recommend a bit without seeing you/the horse/the discipline in progress, but unless he’s completely uncontrollable I can’t imagine why he needs to be ridden in that. They are sometimes used for polo, or I have seen them used in barrel racing training. You might try a lozenge mouthpiece, and something’s telling me a Kineton noseband might help too. I would certainly work hard not to have to use that W thing in his mouth though.

 

[Winters100]

Yep, that’s a W mouth, very severe pinching action, can’t even imagine how the gag affects it. I can’t really recommend a bit without seeing you/the horse/the discipline in progress, but unless he’s completely uncontrollable I can’t imagine why he needs to be ridden in that. They are sometimes used for polo, or I have seen them used in barrel racing training. You might try a lozenge mouthpiece, and something’s telling me a Kineton noseband might help too. I would certainly work hard not to have to use that W thing in his mouth though.

Thanks. I will look into it and try a few things. He is used for polo, but I don't need this at all. Now I play only only at low level, and he is a very easy horse. His previous owner told me that he can be difficult to stop, but that is not my experience. Thanks for the advice.

 

[[153312]]

Winters does do Polo I thought

It looks like this:

https://www.ikonicsaddlery.com/en/products/ikonic-gag-bit-large-ring-double-jointed-mouthepiece-

But luckily the discipline that we ride does not require me to have contact with his mouth, so I don't worry too much. The only thing that I find a bit trying is that I do not feel able to let anyone else have a sit on him with this in his mouth, so he is a horse only for me. I know that you have a lot of experience, so i you have any other suggestions as to what else he might like I would be very glad to hear, because although I have not worried about it too much I would be very pleased to try something else

Forgive my ignorance what is the purpose of having two mouthpieces on a single set of rings?

 

[Cortez]

Thanks. I will look into it and try a few things. He is used for polo, but I don't need this at all. Now I play only only at low level, and he is a very easy horse. His previous owner told me that he can be difficult to stop, but that is not my experience. Thanks for the advice.

Ah, that explains it. I’d have a play around with a few different mouthpieces, but there is also the old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and if he’s happy and you don’t plan on doing anything else with him…….

 

[Winters100]

Forgive my ignorance what is the purpose of having two mouthpieces on a single set of rings?

You know I have no idea. I suppose it is stronger because the joints are at different points. It would not be a bit that I would think of, but as he came with it and did not like the snaffle I have just never got round to doing anything else. But this is a good reminder that I should try a few things and see if I can find something a bit softer for him.

 

[Winters100]

Ah, that explains it. I’d have a play around with a few different mouthpieces, but there is also the old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and if he’s happy and you don’t plan on doing anything else with him…….

Thank you Cortez, you prompted me to finally do something about this. Truthfully when I read my posts I wondered how I had been so feeble, tried only 1 alternative and then just gone back to a bit that felt wrong to me. Pathetic effort on my part! Anyway I have tried a few others this week, a broken pelham and a couple of different gags, and he seems to like the one in this photo. Will have to see if it gives me enough brakes for summer, but I think we may well be ok, so we will use this for now. Thank you for getting me back on track with this.