My horses go in the bits they like best. This can
change from time to time, as they get better educated, more skilled as
driving or riding horses. Bits must fit well, by being the
correct width, in mouthpiece and cheek pieces the bridle attaches
to. Some horses are wider above the mouth, need wider cheeks
above. Too many times I see mouthpieces too narrow or wide for
the horse they are on. Actually measuring the mouth of horse,
makes it easier to fit them correctly. I never buy bits by breed,
some horses never read that article, and their mouth is much larger
than you would think!! A painful bit can lead to lots of trouble
with horse.
Does your horse work on long-lines? I
would try the various bits out on the long-lines first. And I
would give them a fair trial time, at least a week of daily
use. How does he respond well to rein signals, does nice
turns, halts? Does he settle from bit chomping after a little
time? Does he fidget with bit all the time? Does he know
how to give to the bit, take up some collection if you ask?
I
like a bit with moveable sides, no fixed sided bits for riding or
driving. I don't care for leverage bits with a broken mouthpiece,
if they have a curb chain on them. Seem to pinch the jaw, get an
over-reaction from horse. I like a thicker mouthpiece for my
bigger animals, 1/2 inch. That can be too thick for ponies.
I like a small port on my mouthpieces most of the time, gives horse
some tongue room. No copper, no sweet iron, no rollers on my
horses. I like stainless or Neverust, a nickel mix, for my
metals.
My horses have been educated in bits since training
started. They know how to handle the bit, give to rein requests
after being educated over time. A ring sided bit is a training
step for us, working up to a leveraged bit with curb strap or
chain. Mine don't need much leverage, usually in the slot below
mouthpiece, or around the bar below mouthpiece in a Liverpool sided
bit.
You can pretty much get any bit mouthpiece, to go
with any bit cheek-sides. You have to know how far your animal is
educated, how responsive, before you can make a good choice.
Mylers are a new technology in bits. Very inovative in some
areas. However there are many less expensive bits that horses go
happily with. Often owner expectation of a bit, can make " my
horse like this bit", and be successful or not. All this owner's
other horses "liked" that bit too! Owner having no
expectations of horse NOT LIKING his bit, will add to successful use of
a bit with their horse.
Bit that came with your harness is
probably the least expensive driving bit on hand at shop, to send
along. Folks EXPECT a bit with a harness when they buy.
Doesn't mean bit is good or bad, just part of the equipment. You
often gain check or side reins in these packaged deals. Most
pleasure show folks don't use check or side reins anymore, but harness
makers keep including them in harness package. Just a tradition
by now.
Bit discussion is never ending, everyone has different
experiences. Even the same horse goes equally well in different
bits for two different handlers, ridden OR driving. There is no
perfect or MAGIC bit that will cure everything. Training the
horse is the solution.