I'm wondering if we could have a discussion about bits.

Personally, I've never used them on my horses - never have, never will. I do have "bit experience" through all my years of lessons, working with another person's horse, etc. On my own horses I used to use mechanical hackamores, then switched to a rawhide bosal, and am now a believer in the "Indian bosal". I purchased one from Debbie Hanson of Crazy Ropes, and it works beautifully on my little molly mule ( a fairly head strong 2 year old - she loves this bosal). I'm very satisfied with this bosal and will stick with it. I try to follow a more natural way of riding (bareback is my favorite style, too : )

My question is - why are bits made of metal? The bars are sensitive - skin over bone - so why develop something so strong for such a sensitive area? I am in no way trying to tick anyone off or start a controversy - just a discussion about bits and the alternatives to bits. (And I admit to my lack of knowledge of bit history.)

I know there are many reasons why people use bits. On the extreme - some folks want a quick control device rather than a complete base of training and trust with a horse - they rely on devices and equipment, and over time, they eventually wind up with some rather scary-looking "contraptions". Some folks use the mildest bits on the market (I've seen ads for nylon bits) to be as kind to their horses as possible with a bit, or because they are heavy handed and want to give their horse a break. Some folks use a particular bit to encourage high head carriage, quick stopping power, etc.

I am having great success training my mule without a bit. I know many others have the same success.

So many problems can arise from poor bitting. I'm interested to hear what other people use and why they chose that particular bit/bosal/etc., and if they have considered using something other than a metal bit.

Thank you!

Thanks, flakemusic.

Thinking that bits are cruel is actually not a ridiculous notion. Everyone has different insight and experience.

Also as a note - I am careful with my bareback riding. I've got about 30 years of experience with horses under my belt, and have learned much : ) My ancestors rode saddle-less, as a matter of fact. But that's another discussion!

 Has anyone used the nylon bits?

Indy Carol:

Some folks use the mildest bits on the market (I've seen ads for nylon bits) to be as kind to their horses as possible with a bit, or because they are heavy handed and want to give their horse a break.

Bits are only as harsh or hard as the hands that control them, but I agree, if you don't know the purpose of or how to use a specific bit, you shouldn't be putting it in your horse's mouth.  I have a Quarter Horse that was brush track raced in South TX and has a scar about 1/2" wide across his tounge from being tied down with rope or wire.  So with him I use a bit that I'm quite sure most would think to be harsh at first glance:

But it's perfect for him because it's wide enough and covers enough intact nerves on his tongue and bars that he can feel it; he would run right through thinner bits.  And having been "raced" he had way too much go for a hack or bosal when I first got him.  He has come a long way though, so I may think about giving one a try sometime.

About riding bareback, I too rode bareback every chance I could when I was younger and still do occasionally, but FM is right, if your horse has a sore back riding bareback will only hurt him worse as your weight will be concentrated in one place and cannot be evenly distributed by a saddle tree.

 ETA:  since he was formerly a brush track horse, would that make him an OBTQH? 

 Thanks, txspots.

Off-track horses are a whole other topic, I'm sure. Especially ones like yours - with such a scar.

My mule was actually started in a twisted wire gag snaffle. Not sure why the previous owner put her in one - the trainer they sent her to must have recommended it, but it was bit overload - she's very receptive to cues. 

 I definitely agree that bits can be as harsh as the hands that control them - certainly even bosals can be misused.

 You're right - getting after everyone who uses a bit is definitely off base!

Cool, thanks, sayyadina. 

I moved Ruby from that twisted wire snaffle, that was used by the former owner, to a rawhide bosal. The rawhide seemed so inflexible and lacking in subtlety, as you mentioned. Someone more experienced with the rawhide must be able to get more than the three-directions that I felt were its limit (left, right, whoa). I know a lot of folks use them to start their horses. Besides that, Ruby's muzzle is small, so the fit was an issue, too. It was then that I went to the Indian bosal. (I did my research before buying.) 

Now on my old Appy mare I used the Dr. Cook's bridle, which she did well in , as it allowed her to use her natural balance to her best ability. She went very well in it - her attitude was so good with it, too.  

Has anyone used the Vosal? I looked them up online, and it seems that endurance and distance riders like them. 

 Personally I don't understand why people don't start horses in the easiest thing possible. WIth my 21month old I've got a half check snaffle. Obviously I don't ride her yet but just getting her used to one. I've seen the indian bosal a couple times and I really like how it looks. I have a mare that is missing a couple teeth(don't worry our vet cleared them) and in cold weather she wont take a bit, so in winter we use a mechanical hackamore on her. She works really well in the hackamore but I'd really like to start showing her in the spring if possible and i know bosals are show legal. does anybody know if indian bosals are?

 I like to think of it in the way that I use the least severe bit possible  to control the certian horse. I try every horse in a regular D ring snaffle and go from up from there. I have an Arab that my sister can completely control in just a full cheak snaffle but if anybody else gets on him you have to use a very severe bit. Otherwise he will just keep running and running until he can't run anymore. He's absolutely crazy. 

 Thanks, Heather.

I don't know for sure if the Indian bosals are legal in the ring, but I have seena photo of a girl who appeared to be in a show,a nd she was using her bosal. If not legal, then hopefully one day they will be. Maybe they're allowed in 4-H?

You brought up a good point.....we all want to be as humane as possible, so what does a person do in a situation where, say, you have a horse that runs through every bit and hackamore there is? Going back and re-training is a good idea, but what to use for a bit/bosal while you work with them?

Indy Carol:

 Has anyone used the nylon bits?

I have a Happy Mouth loose ring snaffle that I used for a very tense and mistreated horse I used to ride. He would throw his head up and go right through your hands and try to bolt. At first the only way I could control him was to ride him walk/trot in an arena and stop him by heading him directly into a wall. After a few rides with the Happy Mouth he realized he wasn't going to get hurt any more and he became more trusting. Unfortunately he never became a safe horse and had to be retired to pasture ornament, but that was because of back issues, not the bit. 

He chewed the bit and ground it down on both edges, so before shelling out for a new one I thought I'd try a plain steel French link, which is one of the kindest bits and doesn't have the "nutcracker" effect of the snaffle. (Also, the chewing had made it no longer smooth, and I couldn't find a way to smooth it out again.) After two rides, this horse who had been opening his mouth for the bit clenched his mouth shut at bridling time. He got a new Happy Mouth.

I don't know anything about other synthetic bits, but the Happy Mouth does have a steel core, undoubtedly because the horses can chew the mouthpiece off. It's also a good deal more expensive than a traditional steel bit, but I wouldn't mind that if it lasted longer. If I were starting a baby I'd be very tempted to use one to start them in.

The purpose of a bit isn't to stop a horse, except if the horse or the rider is very green. The real purpose is to give subtle signals as to how you want the horse to carry himself. Most of this you do with your body, but the bit action can "contain" that in just the right way. I only ever rode one horse in a hackamore and I was even more of a doofus then than I am now, so I don't know if you can do those kinds of things with a hackamore.

Thanks, My Gracie. We used to sell the Happy Mouth bits in my days in Equestrian retail, but no one ever said what they thought of them, so that's the first I've heard.  

As far as subtlety (that's a good word, I'll use it again), I didn't think my old mechanical hackamores had much at all. But the Indian bosal seems to have more. The Dr. Cook's bridle did, too - and that worked on 4 areas of pressure - poll, cheek, nose, chin. I used it more for English style riding - constant contact. Whereas the Indian bosal, I don;t want the knots in  the rope to be pressing into Ruby's nose constantly. We'll be neck-reining in it (as soon as she learns it : )