Getting the perfect bit for your sensitive horse.

If you’ve ever had to find the right bit for a sensitive horse, you’ll know it can feel a bit like solving a puzzle. Some horses are sensitive but strong, others lean on your hand or find ways to avoid the action of the bit. With so many designs of mouthpiece, material and cheekpieces and each horse having its own unique mouth confirmation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this month’s blog we’ll explore key factors to consider when selecting a bit for a sensitive horse, the different materials you can try and techniques for ensuring a comfortable and effective fit. But let’s kick off with the signs you’ve got a sensitive horse!

The signs of a sensitive-mouthed horse

If we asked you to list the signs of a horse with a sensitive mouth, what would you write down? Every horse is different, and it’s important to be able to recognise when they’re not comfortable, even if it’s via more subtle or lesser-known signs. Common indicators of sensitivity to bitting include:

● Tossing the head or snatching at the bit
● Tilting the head
● Excessive mouthing or chewing of the bit
● Resistance to the contact
● Tension in the jaw, poll or neck
● Leaning on your hands
● Avoiding the bit by going over or under bent
● Running through the contact
● Ignoring the rein aids completely….

If your horse is consistently exhibiting any of these behaviours, it’s worth trying out some new bits to see what they prefer. However, sensitivity can also stem from dental issues, tightness in the poll or poor bridle fit, so we recommend you book in a visit from a dentist, chiropractor and check your bridle fit before you play with bitting.

Getting the right bit thickness and shape

A good starting point is to learn about your horse’s mouth confirmation. Do they have a small mouth, low palate, big tongue? If you're on a livery yard, ask if you can look in the other horse’s mouths to get a better idea of where your horse sits. Then you can make sure your bit choice suits their mouth shape, for example getting a bit with a Mullen mouth or port to give space to a larger tongue or choosing a thinner bit for a horse with a small mouth.

If your horse is showing signs of sensitivity when you’re taking up a firmer contact, you could also explore if they are reacting badly to bar or tongue pressure. Straight mouth bits often apply even pressure across the tongue, single-jointed bits apply a nutcracker effect (and can hurt the roof of the mouth), whereas double jointed bits can press on the bars. You might find that your horse hates tongue pressure but doesn’t mind a bit that applies contact to the bars (or vice-versa).

Finding the right mouthpiece material

We’re lucky to live in a time when there are so many different bit materials to choose from, not just stainless steel. There are now materials that encourage salivation, are designed to be soft and flexible or very lightweight. Here are some of the options out there:

● Sweet iron and copper inlays are designed to encourage salivation and acceptance of the bit.
● Titanium is lightweight and temperature-neutral, making it a good choice for horses that dislike cold metal bits.
● Rubber or plastic-coated bits are often used for sensitive-mouthed horses, but they can be bulky and may not suit those with small mouths.
● Leather mouthpieces are increasingly popular for sensitive horses as they soften and warm up when they’re exposed to saliva and fit the contours of the horse’s mouth.

How bit rings and cheekpieces can affect stability

Some horses don’t like the feeling of the bit moving in their mouth, whereas others will lean on a fixed bit or become very wooden. It’s worth knowing more so that you can work around a sensitive poll or a horse that hates a mobile bit.

● Loose ring bits allow for more movement, which can encourage a lighter feel, but they may be too mobile for very sensitive horses.
● Eggbutt or D-ring snaffles can provide more stability, preventing excessive movement and stopping the bit sliding from side to side.
● Hanging cheek (Baucher) remove poll pressure. They sit the bit up higher in the mouth suspending it to relieve pressure off the bars and tongue a bit more whilst giving stability and a securer contact

It’s worth experimenting to see what your horse prefers, as stability can significantly affect comfort.

Fitting and adjusting the bit

Even the best bit won’t work effectively if it isn’t fitted correctly. Remember that the bit should sit centrally on the bars of the mouth and not knock the teeth when the contact is taken up with the reins. Don’t use the ‘wrinkle rule’ as this is influenced by the horse’s mouth and lip conformation!

Loose ring bits should be fitted slightly wider to avoid the lips getting caught, pelham and Weymouth bits can be fitted more snugly to prevent the bit slipping from side to side. If the horse has sensitive skin that is prone to rubbing, consider using gel or leather bit guards to reduce friction.

Ideas for sensitive yet strong horses

Some horses are not only sensitive but also strong, making bit selection even trickier. If your horse is sensitive but still needs extra control, consider:

● Choosing a bit that provides stability without excessive movement.
● Experimenting with different rein setups, such as using two reins on a Pelham or a softer curb bit.
● There are some clever bits, for example from Fager, that have a small roller positioned lower than the joints of the bit. That means a small amount of direct tongue press is applied
● Checking whether your horse prefers more tongue relief or more consistent pressure.

Don’t forget that here at The Horse Bit Bank, we offer a 30-day trial on lots of our bits (but not gel, plastic and leather mouthpiece designs) that allows you to test different options before committing. Our free bitting advice line means Jodie can help guide you through the process of selecting the right bit for your sensitive horse, ensuring you find the most comfortable and effective bit. Just call 01609 765 324 to start the process.