Guest Author - Susan Hopf
All current equestrians know or should know that a revolution is underway with regard to proper fit and placement of equine bits. Many new types of bits are slowly replacing the old ideas. Bits that are better formed to the anatomy of the equine mouth, the use of more pliable metals, better fitting guides and even bit-less bridles are the new “norm” in biting. I, for one, and my horses and students, all, like the idea of this kinder gentler world of bits but a happy mouth was not always a consideration for our equine friends.
Bits have gone through many evolutions during the course of our relationship with horses. The two most common styles of bits are the snaffle and the curb. A snaffle, whether single, double or triple jointed or with no joint at all, works with direct pressure and no leverage. Curb bits all have shanks and apply leveraged pressure. Both bits apply pressure to various parts of the mouth. Bit-less bridles work with pressure to the bridge of the nose. All are used to either stop or slow the forward progression of the horse.
Bits in some form have been discovered in burial sites throughout time – dating back to 3000BC. These were made from stone, rope, antlers and hard woods. Illustrations dating back to 1400 BC have been found with depictions of equine headgear that resembles today’s bit-less bridle.
Horses were first used as beasts of burden. The equids of simple peoples were primarily used to transport property. More than any other single factor horses enabled the spread of Homo sapiens, as a species, across the globe. Carrying our burdens first and then transporting individuals allowed for greater distances to be traveled than ever before. A simple bit was all that was needed to allow us to guide our beastly friends far and nigh.
As the population expanded, both in number and territory, wars were begun. Controlling horses in battle called for a greater degree of control and thusly some very torturous looking bits were created. Sharp edged iron, wire, thin and smooth and yes even barbed, was placed inside the mouths of warrior mounts. Shanks grew longer and the ports of curb bits grew longer and shaper which pressed harder and harder into the palate of those horses. Animals that did not acquiesce had their mouths tied shut and their tongues cut out in order to make them submit. Quick stops and turns were a matter of life and death to both horse and rider and the tack quickly became as barbaric as the wars themselves.
As the endless warfare, of our barbaric ancestors, waned horses were once again thought of as more than vehicles to carry a soldier but some of the tack remained quite brutal. The egos of kings and trainers to the kings kept horses enslaved to the rigors of showmanship and one-up-man-ship. Having highly spirited, high stepping horses became a status symbol and horses such as these were created with less than tactful approaches.
In the 1700s a revolution of sorts took place and horses were rescued, in part, from this sort of training. The bits were eased in their severity and more respectful schooling started taking the place of the rushed and brutal methods. Shoulder-in was introduced, the single-jointed snaffle, made from smooth rounded steel, became the bit of choice and what can be construed as modern day dressage was born.
The bit and our riding did not change much from the 1700s to present day. In the last 10 years, through science and medical imaging techniques we have become privy to true knowledge with regard to the functioning equine. We now have methods that either prove or disprove the effectiveness of aids that we have held near and dear for these last few centuries. We can actually see what does and does not work; what does our horses good or what does them harm and how to repair some of the damage that has been done along the way.
I continue to wait for a real scientific study with regard to the bit and its actual action on the horse. Until that time my idea of the bit is to use the mildest possible application and a design that fits comfortably in each individual horse. Make sure the hands are used last and least and without question give to the horse his head so that he may adjust his balance to best comply with whatever request has been asked.
