10/24/2024
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝘀
I want to lay out a straightforward bitting system for those seeking clarity on what equipment might best suit their needs. It’s a subject I’m passionate about because it’s a source of so much doubt and confusion among horse owners. There are millions of different opinions and options, and that endless complexity around what bit to start a horse in, or what bit to move into as they advance, can be intimidating. Instead of endless complexity, I favor a simple, proven progression that reduces headache and saves you money. Let’s break it down...
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁
In our training program, we start under saddle with a heavy emphasis on direct rein work. Think "follow your nose" and lateral flexion concepts. The cornerstone here is simplicity and directness. No leverage at all. I believe it's crucial that there's no complex pressure or mechanical advantage affecting the horse's mouth. This means using a traditional snaffle bit with a single joint—nothing fancy, just a direct connection that allows for clear communication.
Over the years, I've found that a loose ring snaffle (pictured) with a single joint is the most effective tool across a vast array of horses — well over a thousand at this point. These aren't the flimsy snaffles you might pick up at the local feed store. The ones I prefer are heavier and made of higher quality steel. The weight and quality of these bits not only makes them more durable, it has a positive impact on how the horse responds.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗴
One thing I really like is a free-sliding ring on the snaffle. This design ensures there's absolutely ZERO binding or twisting action when I apply pressure by picking up the reins. Fixed rings, like those on a D-ring snaffle, can sometimes create unintended leverage which I don’t need or want at the beginning stages of training. If I happen to be using a D-ring, I’ll often use rope reins instead of leather splits, with a small slobber strap that moves up and down on the ring when the rein is pulled; preventing any binding or leveraging action that might occur.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝘀
Weightier snaffles (like the one pictured) seem to encourage horses, especially young ones, to hold the bit properly in their mouths. The added weight provides more substance for the horse to feel and carry, reducing behaviors like excessive chewing, chomping, or head tossing. Lightweight, cheaply made bits lack this quality. They can flop around in the horse's mouth, leading to irritation and distracted behaviors. This often leads horse owners down rabbit trails where they begin experimenting with different mouthpieces; dogbones, rollers, low port “comfort snaffles” for tongue relief…. trying to solve problems that can actually be solved through a combination of better training, better feel and timing, and a well-crafted heavier snaffle.
𝗠𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 (𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆)
In my tack room, you'll find a simple progression of bits that I use depending on the horse's needs:
👉 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲: This is my go-to for most horses. It's straightforward and effective for teaching and reinforcing basic cues.
👉 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲: If a horse starts leaning on the bit or developing resistance, I might step up to this. The twist adds a slight increase in pressure without being overly harsh.
👉 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲: This bit has square edges instead of round, providing a more pronounced feel that discourages a horse from leaning.
For extreme cases—typically with problem horses that have ingrained bad habits—I have a 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁 (thinner than the regular twist, but NOT as thin as the twisted wire snaffles you often see in training barns) and, in the most severe situations, a 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘄. Let me be clear: these are NOT bits I use lightly or frequently. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times I've had to use the corkscrew in the past four years. They're tools for spot-treating serious issues, not everyday training.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝘀
Using a more severe bit is a responsibility I don't take lightly. When a horse has learned to ignore or outright resist bridle pressure—usually due to previous mishandling—it becomes a safety issue. In such cases, a stronger bit can help re-establish respect for and responsiveness to the aids. But the goal is always to “get in and get out” – be effective, teach the lesson, then step back down to a milder bit once the issue is addressed.
I think where controversy arises is when people use severe bits as a shortcut, and leave them on the horse indefinitely. This approach can ruin the sensitivity in a horse's mouth over time, leading to a cycle where increasingly harsh equipment is needed to achieve the same effect. That's not fair to the horse, and it's not good horsemanship.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁” 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀
There's a lot of misinformation out there about bits, particularly the traditional single-jointed snaffle. Some argue that it creates a "nutcracker" effect on the horse's jaw bone or “spears” upward into the roof of the mouth. I remember being swayed by such claims early in my career. A salesperson demonstrated this by placing a snaffle over my forearm and pulling, causing discomfort. It was a persuasive, albeit misleading, demonstration.
But here's the thing: the orientation and pressure applied in that demonstration don't reflect how a snaffle bit actually works in a horse's mouth. When properly fitted and used, a single-jointed snaffle doesn't pinch the jaw or stab the palate. It's essential to understand the anatomy of the horse's mouth and the mechanics of bit pressure. Misleading demonstrations like this prey on our concerns for our horses' well-being, pushing us toward expensive equipment that may not be necessary.
I fell into that trap once, investing in a specialized bit that promised to solve all my problems. Initially, it seemed to work, but the issues soon resurfaced because the root cause wasn't the bit—it was my technique. I hadn't yet developed the skill and timing needed to communicate effectively with the horse. Changing bits was a temporary fix that didn't address the underlying training issues.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹
It's tempting to look for quick fixes when we encounter problems in training. Bits, being tangible and varied, often become the focus of our attention. We convince ourselves that the right piece of equipment will solve our issues. But more often than not, the solution lies in improving our skills and understanding.
I've seen trainers with tack rooms full of bits, constantly switching them out in hopes of finding the magic combination. To me, that’s a sign of someone who's run out of ideas. They’re trying to feel like they’re being productive, and are just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. But without addressing the fundamental training and communication between horse and rider, these efforts are largely in vain.
That's not to say experimentation is bad—on the contrary, trying different approaches can be valuable. But it's crucial to recognize when we're using equipment as a crutch rather than developing our abilities.
𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
Over the years, I've pared down my collection to a handful of bits that I know work effectively across a broad spectrum of horses. My favorite everyday tools are:
👌 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘀: Smooth, regular twist, and square.
👌 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝘀: Short shank, low-port correction for transitioning; an Avila shank medium port correction; and a Jeremiah Watt “frog mouth” with roller.
This simplicity isn't just about economics—though I certainly didn't have the budget for dozens of fancy bits when I started! It’s mainly about effectiveness.
Each of the three snaffles represents a clear “step up” in the tactile difference and feel they create. There are clear enough contrasts between them, that it’s easy to decide which one is called for depending on the horse’s level of responsiveness.
Same thing with the shank bits. Aside from the short shank correction with a low square port – which is the universal bit that I use to transition every horse out of the snaffle – there’s enough tactile difference between the regular correctional and the frog mouth that it’s easy to know which one the horse will respond better to. Some horses are ready to move to the cowhorse bridle right away. Others stay in the correctional much longer before moving on.
Is there additional flexibility and experimentation allowed within this three-act structure? Of course. I have other bits that I use occasionally. But those 3 shank bits are the everyday staples. They form the core of our progression toward riding straight up in the bridle.
The bottom line is that every single horse I’ve ever put in the bridle – whether they were a reiner, cowhorse, or ranch horse – has responded extremely well to those bits after graduating from our snaffle program. The more experience I’ve gained over the years, the more I’ve concluded that the actual bit matters less than most people think it does. At that point, the horse is so well trained in a snaffle that you could probably put anything on them and get good results. The bit is just the icing on the cake, its the foundation proceeding it that makes the difference.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱
I want to emphasize that this is what works for me. I'm not here to dictate that everyone must follow my exact system. Different approaches can be effective. However, be aware that while everything “works”, not everything WORKS. I encourage you to be thoughtful and critical about the equipment you use. Don't let marketing tactics or the allure of a quick fix divert you from developing your skills and understanding your horse.
It's easy to get lost in the myriad of options and opinions out there. I've been there myself, and I've learned that often the simplest solutions are the most effective. So, take the time to build a proper foundation with your horse. Focus on clear, direct communication. The bit you use is just one part of a much larger picture. I’ll sum it up by saying:
𝗕𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.
As a horseman, the best tools you have are your hands, your legs, and above all your brain!
🖋️ 𝐽𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝐿𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎ℎ𝑙
