Tips on Selecting the Correct Riding Bit for Your Horse | Articles Bright

There are many kinds of horse bits made of diverse materials. The horse bit is a critical tool to teach a horse to turn and stop or perform other maneuvers. It serves as the communication signal from the rider to the horse especially in first stages of coaching to put pressure on the horse?s face and mouth. The horse tries to figure out the correct way to avoid pressure and moves into the direction of least pressure. As training advances, the horse depends less on the bit and more on the rider?s body cues for control over speed, direction and stopping. The bit only serves as a reminder.

Different stages of horse coaching need different bits designed for differing levels of expertise, both horse experience and training and trainer?s or rider?s experience and expertise. There are two main kinds of bits based on bar configuration: bits with solid mouthpieces such as the curb-type bits, and bits and split mouthpieces e.g. the snaffle-type bits.

Tougher and simpler bits are used for the first stages of coaching to teach certain moves. Less harsh bits are utilized for later stages as the horse has mastered the basic moves. Snaffle bits with no or very short cheeks and with thick, smooth bars are the best beginner bits. They pressure the horse?s lips, bars and tongue and teach turning and stopping. The most often used first bit is the single-joint regular or straightforward snaffle bit and the 2-piece snaffle with curved bars. These are typically utilized for a specified time as they?re not very comfortable for the horse but are necessary for early coaching. Bits with a 3-piece mouth or the loose-cheek snaffles are best for middle stage coaching as they place less pressure on the tongue and more throughout the horse?s mouth. Loose-cheek snaffles are often used as the bridge between the 2-handed snaffle and the 1-handed curb bit. Curb bits are poor at teaching turning but are really good for teaching a horse stopping. They put pressure on more areas than straightforward snaffles but can make a horse high headed. Because of this, they?re typically utilised on neck reining horses and aren?t endorsed for horses less than 5-6 years of age.

Dependent on the training stage of the horse, the experience of the rider and coach, and the usage of the horse, different types of bits can boost or deteriorate a horse?s obedience. As an example, shanked-snaffle bits with 2 rein loops are used for dressage work. Loose cheek snaffles with 3-piece mouth and a lower rein are ordinarily seen in ponies where more control is necessary.

The sort of material that bits are made from is also an important consideration for picking a horse bit. Stainless steel mouths last a lot longer. Sweet iron bits are employed in Western riding as the oxidation of rusting appears sweet and is assumed to inspire horse salivation. Salivation makes a horse more relaxed and docile. Copper also encourages salivation and warms up quickly in cold weather but doesn?t last particularly long. A well-liked combination is the sweet iron bit with copper inlay.

Picking a riding bit needs consideration of the experience of the rider, coach and horse as well as the activities the horse and rider participate in. One must also know how the bit is used to train the horse, what areas it places strain on and the way the horse reacts to it.

Anna Sola is a longtime content author publishing articles on a wide variety of subjects including travel, sport and medical subjects. Townend Online is an equestrian clothing and tack shop for all competitive riders as an example stocking Sprenger bits and spurs.

Source: http://articlesbright.com/recreation-sports/tips-on-selecting-the-correct-riding-bit-for-your-horse

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