Bothered by the bit
QHow can I tell if my horse finds his bit uncomfortable? Janice Middleton, Edinburgh
AAll horses need regular checks from the dentist, farrier, saddle fitter and physio. A comfy girth and correctly fitted bridle are also essential. As the frequent rider, you also factor here, because if you know what is normal for your horse, you will easily recognise when things are going wrong. A horse that is comfortable in the mouth should willingly stretch into the contact through equally balanced reins. He should be rhythmical and consistent in the contact and we now have a scientific tool where all four components can be measured and recorded. Bear in mind that if we don’t have forward movement and the horse isn’t stretching into the contact, we won’t have the foundation to further our training.
What to look for
If a horse isn’t comfortable in the contact, he will develop ways to evade it, such as: He may set his neck and block through the rein. He may overbend and work behind the vertical, or be unwilling to take any weight through the rein. He may invert, hollow the back and come above the bit, or he may become resistant (head toss) when you ask for a downward transition. He may develop a busy mouth, chomping and chewing and even grabbing the bit. He may cross his jaw and set totally against you. He may develop tongue evasion — pushing down on the bit, putting the tongue out to the side, over the top or even snatching down. Extreme discomfort could lead to rearing and bolting.
Solving the problem
Issues rooted elsewhere in the anatomy often present through the mouth. First and foremost, get your horse checked by a vet, dentist, physiotherapist, farrier and a saddle fitter and heed their advice. Next, try riding bitless to see if the problems still occur when the bit isn’t present. When doing this you need to ride in the same frame as when you have a bit, or it won’t be a true comparison. You could also ride without a saddle, which would help to eliminate any issues with the back, saddle and girth. The noseband can have a huge impact, so changing nosebands is worth trying. A narrow headpiece can cause discomfort to the poll, so more padded or shaped headpieces are another option to try. If you conclude the issue is within the mouth, thoroughly check all of the flesh. Rubs inside or outside the lips and cheeks are common. If there is any damage, don’t use a bit until it is fully healed and then a change of bit may be necessary. Check the tongue for damage and the bars of the mouth for bruising too. We recommend you check your horse’s mouth daily, much like you do the feet, so you’ll know if anything is different. If there is still nothing to be seen, it’s worth having the mouth X-rayed. Even the best dentist won’t be able to see shards or roots of tooth under the gum line without diagnostic procedures. If you want to evaluate the contact you have through the reins, you can find out more at avansce.com.