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Tune Your Competition Horse with the Right Bit.
The overwhelming variety of different types of horse bit is confusing. What has caused this variety to come about? This variety has arisen over time in response to the needs of different riders and their specific activity. Also what might be surprising to the non horse person is the great variety of different horse activities. This variety also leads to the desire for differently performing horse bits and especially in competition where this can be difference in winning and loosing.
Probably the three most popular or well known horse activities are horse racing, equestrian events such as show jumping, and sports such as polo and driving. The different horsemanship requirements in these very different areas require different horse bits to maximise the chance of success.
In horse racing the Dee-ring snaffle bit, also known as the racing snaffle is one of the most widely used designs. The Dee-ring snaffle has two rings either side of the mouthpiece with the distinctive D shape. The straight bars of the Dee-ring is pulled against the side of the mouth opposite to the rein pulled, pushing the sides of the Dee against the horse's mouth provide the ability to guide the horse and turn as required in a race.
Eventing requires a variety of different riding skills in dressage, cross-country and show jumping which tests the ability and adaptability of the horse and the rider to the limit. It is this wide variety of needs that looks like defying choosing perfect multipurpose horse bits. One needs fine control during dressage, somewhat more free rein allowing the horse freedom to be rapid between fences and finally in the case of cross country allowing the horse to efficiently apply power, and not be fighting unnecessary control by the rider.
In show jumping in general a bit that gives good control is popular especially with a heavier horse that might lean on the bit or take hold. Gag bits are fairly common and when rein pressure is applied the bit slides upward rotating slightly in the mouth so giving a firm signal to the horse. Show jumpers find the Cheltenham a popular type of gag bit. The Cheltenham gag is a specific gag bit often used by show jumpers. It has "eggbutt" rings, which remedies the problem of pinching found with the common loose ring snaffl.
Curb style bits are used where leverage is required which the snaffle cannot achieve. In show jumping the swales 3 in 1 which is a modified old fashioned swales bit has become popular with show jumpers who like it because it works well on strong horses. Also as the Swales doesn't generate any poll pressure it works nicely with horses who tend to go overbent.
A commonly reported problem in show jumping is the horse tending to rush after clearing a fence and can therefore make control and judgement of next obstacle more difficult. It might be tempting to go for a curb style bit that will pull up the horse but as is often the case fix the issue by training the horse correctly rather than "fixing" the problem when it happens. Be aware that a horse that rushes his fences may be reacting to a bit they are finding uncomfortable .
When we look at the dressage part of the eventing sequence horses are constrained to only go in snaffles. And only certain type of snaffles as well. For cross country the rules on horse tack are significantly more flexible and allows the use of gag bits, hackamores and a simple noseband.
The types of issues that the every day horse rider has to address in their choice of horse bit are not far removed from the issues of the experienced professional riders in horse racing, show jumping and the like. However what you often find is that the success of the rider and horse is typically achieved through the intelligent hands of the rider and not using a specific bit to fix a particular problem
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