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Remember
- Larger diameter
mouthpieces give less control
- Smaller diameters give
more control.
Bit thickness does not alter the
basic mechanism by which a bit works. Wide bits
move less in response to a rein aid, and tend
to "neutralize" strong half halts. They may be
of advantage to men with great upper body
strength, but in general, a woman will get a
better response with a thin bit. It is a myth
that thicker bits are kinder to the horse,
provided one does go to a "cutting" degree of
thinness.
Think of the bit like a piece of
candy. A wide bit is like a jawbreaker, and
takes up a lot of room. Since the horse can't
spit it out, he may try to spit out his tongue
instead, or else to open his mouth. In general,
thinner bits are most comfortable for the horse.
Bit Weight: There is an advantage
to a heavier bit. It is silly to worry about
the horse having to carry the weight of the bit,
when you compare that with the weight of his
head, and the weight of a rider. A too light
bit may not return to its original position with
the giving of the rein, so that the horse will
not get feel a release. A bit should feel
substantial.
- Wide ported mouth pieces
provide tongue relief.
- The longer the shank
(more leverage), the more control the bit
has.
- A twisted mouthpiece
offers more control than a solid mouth
piece.
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