Advice and Articles on Bits and Bitting
Some of these articles have been reproduced with kind permission of Neue Schule and were written by Heather Hyde.
How To Guides
How to Measure Your BitThe diameter is measured at the widest part near the bit ring. As a general guide it is considered the wider the mouthpiece the milder the bit as this gives more weight bearing surface across the bars, etc...
How to Assess the Feel of a BitIf you wrap a bit around your bare upper arm and take up a contact or a pull similar to those aids you would give down the rein, you will have some idea of how the bit feels in the mouth and which pressure...
How to Fit a BitA general guide would be to look for 1 - 1½ lip wrinkles at the corner of the mouth, but obviously this hinges on how short the horse's mouth is from the corner of the lip to the muzzle and also how fat the lips are...
How to Address Common EvasionsEvasions usually stem initially from irritation or discomfort but they can very quickly become an ingrained habit (which is accentuated when the horse is tense) - the horse then learns lots of useful...
Mouth/Bit Guides
Showing Horse BitsInformation about the various types of bits that can be used for showing...
The Bits and their Action: Cheeks, Mouthpieces, DoublesCheeks: The action of the Loose Ring, the action of the Eggbutt, the action of the Baucher, the Australian Cheeker the action of the Full Cheek, the action of the Half Cheek...
Bit SeatingThis is a procedure that is carried out by an Equine Dentist in order to make more room for the bit or help with better positioning. This is now quite common practice and is a painless procedure...
Introducing the BitBefore you even consider mouthing it is essential to have the teeth checked by an Equine Dentist and if necessary Wolf Teeth removed. It is no longer common practice to use the breaking bit...
Mouth Conformation and How to Assess itMouth conformation is assessed when the horse is relaxed and with his mouth shut. Gently part the lips at the side and observe if the tongue is bulging through the teeth. If it is, this indicates...
Some Common Mouth ConditionsIt never ceases to amaze me how much time and money is spent and expert advice sought regarding the saddle and how little, by comparison, is given to the bit which is equally as important when we are trying to make our horses as comfortable as possible...
Abbey Bit Guides
Abbey Bit InformationThe components for Abbey bits are manufactured from castings using the "lost wax" technique that produces a much finer detail and finish than the traditional sand cast steel...
Abbey Bits - Bit FamiliesBits are for controlling the speed of the horse, containing the impulsion created by the rider's seat and leg, for turning and stopping. Some bits are good at one and not as good at others...
Myler Bit Guides
Myler Dressage Bitting LeafletMyler bits and the Dressage Bitting Rule Changes - a huge step forward in bitting. The FEI and British Dressage recently added a number of Myler Ported Snaffles; Myler Bradoons; and the Myler Weymouth to their list of permitted bits...
Myler BitsInformation about the Myler bit system, and the Myler Bits...
Myler Sweet Iron BitsMany Myler Bit mouthpieces are made from Sweet Iron instead of Stainless Steel. Sweet Iron has been a favourite of Western riders for years and is now becoming popular with English riders...
Starting a Horse in a Myler BitThe height of the purchase is different in every bit, so before you try a new bit on your horse, attach it to the bridle and hold it up to the side of his face, so you can estimate the correct adjustment of the cheek pieces as closely as possible...
The Myler Team UKThe Myler Team UK is a group of well-respected horsemen from across all disciplines, both amateur and professional, including both top and up-and-coming junior competitors...
Myler Levels of Training and BitsRather than just using one bit throughout your horse's working life, the Myler system is progressive and different bits may be required as your horse moves through his training. The bits are rated according to the horse's level of training...
Myler Dressage Legal BitsDressage Legal Myler Bits are listed here...
Myler Curb ChainsMany Myler Bit designs allow a rider to utilise curb pressure with the use of a curb strap or curb chain. Curb pressure is traditionally used with shanked bits offering leverage, such as many Western bits and also Pelhams and Kimblewicks...
Myler Combination BitUnique in design, and one of the kindest bits available, the Myler's Combination Bit is a hybrid of a ring bit, shank bit and Hackamore...
Hooks on Myler Bit CheeksMost Myler Bit Cheeks are available with hooks, (like slots), to fix the position of the bridle and the reins on the cheek ring of the bit and to allow Independent Side Movement...
Myler CheekpiecesEvery bit is a combination of a mouthpiece and a cheekpiece. Myler Bits offer numerous cheeks to complement their mouthpieces. When choosing a bit for your horse, first consider the mouthpiece and then match it with the cheek that will suit both your needs and those of the horse...
Myler MouthpiecesMyler Bits will only be really effective as a training aid if the rider is as responsive to the horse as he wants the horse to be to him, - firstly in selecting the most appropriate bit for his horse and secondly in the way he rides it...
Neue Bit Guides
Neue Schule - How New Bit Designs EvolveNew designs are born out of necessity or need. Heather Hyde the founder of Neue Schule Bits has been involved in assessing the needs of horses and their riders for many years...
Neue Schule - Bit Research and DevelopmentAll of our bits are the product of in-depth research and development from strength testing and chemical analysis to product trials and evaluation...
The Merits of Neue Schule Salox GoldMuch time (both human and equine), money and expertise has been invested into researching and comparing the materials traditionally used for mouthpieces. This has resulted in the development of...
Sprenger Bit Guides
Who Uses SprengerCharlotte Dujardin CBE, British elite dressage rider, is the most successful British dressage rider in dressage history and the winner of all major titles and world records in the sport. Charlotte has the following to say about Sprenger...
Why Choose Sprenger?Sprenger was founded in 1872 and is known across the world for research, design, and manufacture of quality horse bits...
Sprenger: Find the Right Bit in Four Easy StepsThe bit operates like a communication channel between rider and horse. As the mouth is one of the most sensitive parts of the horse's body it is important to treat it very carefully. A bit should be sized and fitted to the individual anatomic shape of the mouth as well as to its characteristic needs. The basic requirement for the correct bit choice is a healthy and properly trained horse...
Other Guides
BD Approved Tack for British Dressage CompetitionsThis handy pictorial guide has been devised to be used alongside the British Dressage Members’ Handbook for clarification on permitted tack and equipment.
Bombers British Dressage ApprovedA list of dressage approved Bombers Bits...
The Turtle Snaffle FamilyInformation about the Neue Schule Turtle Snaffle family including Turtle Top and Turtle Tactio. Learn what is so different about this revolutionary method of lorinery design...