7 Pressure Points Applied by a Bit

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Humans determined many eons ago that by placing a bit in a horse's mouth, you can exert pressure in several places in the mouth and head to give effective communication (or pain) to a horse. (I will address pain in another article since a student asked me about that not long ago.)
(photo on left of a cathedral spoon mouth bit that I use on my show horses to flex at the poll easily as I have such tiny, light hands. And I want to keep it that way!)

There are 4 pressure points in the horse's mouth and 3 pressure points on the head that can be affected by the bit and bridle:

1. Bars of the mouth. Or the spaces or gums on the lower jaw of the horse, between the incisors and molars. Most bits will exert some pressure here on the gums at some point.
2. Tongue. All bits place some pressure on the tongue at some point, pushing it down into the mouth.
3. Corners of the mouth. The lips at the corners of the mouth where the bit rests against will have pressure applied. There is always pressure on the corners of the mouth when using a bit.
4. Chin Groove. When a chin strap/chain is used with a curb bit, the chin strap will apply pressure to the chin groove when the reins are pulled. This is the fulcrum point for leverage in a curb bit.
5. Palate.The palate or roof of the mouth on a horse has pressure from high ported bits that are at least 2 1/2" high. Such as vaquero bits and other high ported bits for advanced hands.
6. Poll. The poll of the horse (at the top of the head) will have pressure applied to it by the main part of the bridle. Pressure on the poll release endorphins.
7. Nasal Bone. The nasal bone area is extremely sensitive for horses and certain types of speciality bits or training equipment that use some type of noseband will apply pressure to the nasal bone.

How to Describe a Bit
So bits are often described by stating details about the mouthpiece, the details about the material used in the mouthpiece, the details about the shanks, and the details about the checkpieces.
The bit shown above on left would be called an 8" engraved aluminum shanked bit with a cathedral spoon mouthpiece and curved back shanks. The 8" is referring to the length of the shanks.
Can you guess what the bit is called in the photo on the right? It is made by Bill Freeman. It has short shanks. It has a correctional mouthpiece. The shanks are aluminum. And the mouthpiece has 'balls and ears' attached to the port. It's called a Bill Freeman- Short Shank Aluminum Correction Mouthpiece with Balls & Ears.
Mouthpiece - An Important Part of the Bit
Since 4 pressure points can be affected by the mouthpiece of the bit, the mouthpiece is a very important part of the bit. So mouthpieces are important to talk about when it comes to the bit you want to use on your horse.
Some bits are better depending on the type of horse. Some bits are better for certain riders. You have to match the bit to the horse's skills and the rider's skills.
That's what I will talk about next article. I'll also address the pain issue and that depends largely on the rider.
Does anyone have an interesting bit that they would like to share? Or a question about a certain type of bit? The internet has a ton of different bits to look at. It's great!

Until next time...

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