07/03/2019
HOW TO Test the SEVERITY of your Horse's BIT
Bend your arm to 90 degrees, and put the snaffle or curb on the crook of your elbow. Ask a friend to stand directly in front of you and to grab both rings or shanks and to simulate the different action on yourself as you will do riding your horse.
You could be very surprised!! It hurts!! So imagine what your horse feels on his tongue and bars.
Usually that hurts more or less according the perfection of the bit. Nevertheless, you can feel what the horse will feel on the tongue and the bars, if he can relax or not, if he can swallow, etc.
Execute this test with various types of bits so you will learn more about the bits you are using.
Now you can understand why some riders make a big mistake when their horse has a resistance and go to a more severe bit. So remember to change to a softer mouthpiece when the horse resists the bit.
by Miguel Trigo
https://madmimi.com/p/8f63a5