A recent post on Facebook
Rider looking to change their bit
The horse pulls on their hands
They’re sure training isn’t it
“I’m sure there is a magic mouthpiece
That will make the problem go away
Don’t give me your training advice
I’ve had enough today”
He rushes through his transitions
He needs a stronger bit
Maybe something with leverage
So our ride doesn’t go to 💩
“Don’t mention we need training
This horse once raced the track
It’s a bit change that is needed
Not training that we lack”
So they turn off comments
When they’ve heard enough
Surely the bits some mentioned
Will stop their horse being so rough!
I read through all the comments
The replies are 50/50
“Training is what’s needed”
“Try this bit, this one’s nifty”
“But you stupid Facebook people
Can’t understand my call
Clearly my horse needs a bit change
It’s not training related at all”
I am going to admit here and now
I used to be one of these peeps
Change a bit to fix a problem
I acted like a sheep
My first hunter was in a Dutch gag
The leverage severe
I couldn’t stop the bloody horse
I lived my life in fear
But as we built a relationship
And learnt to trust the other
The bit became irrelevant
So we began to try another
The next horse that I hunted
Went well in a French link snaffle
I learnt how to check him back
But some riders it would baffle
From time to time when he got strong
We would need to assess our training
But take him home for transitions
It didn’t matter if it was raining
Practicing transitions teach your horse
To lighten on the fore
It’s safer than changing the bit you use
To make them listen more
The more I learnt to bend my horse
To ride him around my leg
I didn’t matter what bit I used
He learnt to hold his head
It’s why they call it self carriage
It shouldn’t come from the bit
Like a fart if you have to push
Then clearly it is 💩
It doesn’t mean I never pull
But I have learnt to fix my timing
His response time is now fabulous
This horse leaves my face shining
And here I’ll say it can definitely be
A good chance to try bits out
But only once your training is sorted
Will you ride without a doubt
Sometimes horses fiddle
The bit doesn’t fit their face
And that is time to try another
More suitable bit in its place
But more often than not
Photos accompanying their post
Show the problem isn’t bit related
It’s training they need most
I write this here with kindness
I want you to enjoy your ride
It’s time to be open minded
And not bury your head and hide
So when you’re not too sure
What bit your horse does like
Take the time to try a few
He’ll tell you what is right
He’ll soften and he’ll stop chewing
His mouth can become quite still
Just make sure it isn’t your hands
That feel the need to pull!
Bitting a horse is never easy
It’s trial and error for sure
But you need to realise
It’s training they need more!!