BIT-OLOGY Part 2: Step-up Bits

Continue Bob’s bitting progression as we move from the colt bits in Part 1 to these four bits, which can serve as a stepping stone to the finished-horse bits you’ll see in Part 3.

Before, I shared my insights on bits for young or inexperienced horses. These included the ultimate “colt bit,” which is the foundation of my program: the smooth-mouth training snaffle. We then progressed to the shanked snaffle, for later stages of training. Now, I’ll share four intermediate bits from my tack room that serve as stepping stones from the “baby bits” to those for a finished horse, which you’ll see next month. They range from a jointed correctional bit to a solid-mouthpiece medium port. For each, I’ll tell you what stage of training (and rider) it’s good for, why it works, describe the bit’s mechanics, discuss problems it can solve, and share any extra “tidbits” I might have about it or bits in general. I’ll start with the mildest in this group and work up to the most advanced. And I’ll also share with you some overall bitting basics.

BIT #1: TRAINING CORRECTIONAL
Training stage: This is a great step-up bit when your horse is ready to graduate from a snaffle mouthpiece, such as those bits we featured in Part 1. I use it on 3- and 4-year-olds, but it’s a bit you can ride older, more broke horses in. Rider check: This bit is mild enough that it should work for any rider experienced with leverage bits. (But even the mildest bit can be harsh in rough hands.)
Why it works: It’s lightweight so is comfortable to a young horse. Plus, it’s broken at both shanks and on the port, which gives the bit lots of movement, like a training snaffle has. That takes some of the “pull” out of it before it engages in your horse’s mouth. It also means you can use subtle rein pressure to engage the bit, making for a light feel. Plus, the design enables you to engage either side separately, just as you can with a training snaffle, so it’ll feel familiar to your young horse.
Mouthpiece: The term “correctional” refers to the loose-jointed, U-shaped swivel mouthpiece rather than its use; this is not a severe bit. The low-port correctional supplies tongue relief; the short shank length (below), adds to this bit’s mild nature. Copper bars encourage salivation; a wet mouth is a more relaxed mouth. The rounded joints at all the moving parts prevent pinching.
Shanks: The short, swept-back shanks make the leverage milder in this bit than longer, straighter shanks would be. The fact that they’re jointed makes them milder than a solid shank; the resulting movement provides more “give” when you pick up your rein than a solid bit does. The added rings behind the mouthpiece give you the option of riding with a double set of reins if you were to transition from a ring snaffle to this bit.
Problems it can solve: I don’t think of this as a problem-solving bit. Instead, I see it as a stepping stone, say, for a horse going from a shank snaffle (see Part 1, last month) to a solid bit. This would provide a transitional step from the jointed snaffle mouthpiece to a solid one. It’s also a good bit for a horse that doesn’t work well in a milder bit, but is intimidated by one with more leverage.
Tidbits: This is a bit lots of horses like, which means I like it. I’d rather have a tack room full of these than of exotic-looking bits that only the odd horse might work well in.

BIT #2: SWIVEL PORT
Training stage: See Bit #1. Some horses just like this bit better than that one. I don’t know why. It’s a matter of preference (the horse’s, that is). Rider check: See Bit #1.
Why it works: The top of the mouthpiece swivels on both sides. That means you can pick up your right rein and pull it toward your right knee, and only the right side of the mouthpiece will swivel. And that means this bit’s action is very similar to the direct pull your young horse had in the training snaffle.
Mouthpiece: The bit’s low, squared-off port offers plenty of tongue relief; the ball joints at the shank prevent pinching. Its swivel movement provides a great transition between the snaffle and a solid port bit. The sweet-iron mouthpiece material has copper inlays, to encourage salivation.
Shanks: The short, tipped-back, jointed shanks provide mild leverage. There’s a nice weight to the shanks, so the bit hangs well in your horse’s mouth.
Problems it can solve: It can help an older horse that’s bracing against a solid mouthpiece, because he can’t get any leverage against a moving mouthpiece like this one.
Tidbits: You can tie a leather strap between the two lower bit rings to minimize the bit’s movement (see Bit #4), giving it a more solid feel for use on an older, broker horse, or to use it as a transitional bit when moving up to a solid one.

BIT #3: SIGNATURE SHANK CORRECTIONAL
Training stage: A well-broke 3- or 4-year-old. Rider check: This bit provides more leverage than the shorter-shanked bits we just talked about, so requires a more educated hand.
Why it works: See Bit #1. Plus, for some reason, horses love this bit.
Mouthpiece: The sweet-iron, correctional (U-shaped) mouthpiece has moveable copper barrels on either side of the medium port. When you pick up your hand, the barrels turn. That means pressure is applied more gradually to the bars of your horse’s mouth than with a solid mouthpiece. Its loose attachment to the shanks provides additional give when you apply rein pressure.
Shanks: While the S-shaped shanks are longer than Bit #1’s, their tipped-back configuration makes the leverage less severe than it would be with a straight-shanked bit; the hinged mouthpiece attachment also is less severe than a solid mouthpiece would be.
Problems it can solve: As with Bit #1, I don’t look at this as a problem-solving bit, but rather a preference bit, because horses like it.
Tidbits: If I could have just a couple of bits at my barn, this would be one of them.

BIT #4: SILVER-SHANK
MEDIUM PORT WITH ROLLER
Training stage: This is not a colt bit, but rather is for a broker, more experienced horse than the previous three bits; I use it on horses aged 4 to 5, and up. Rider check: Just as this bit is for more experienced horses than the previous three, I’d recommend it for more experienced riders.
Why it works: It’s a light bit that provides a lot of tongue relief. And, since the mouthpiece is solid except for its connection to the shanks, it’s a great transitional step to the solid bits you’ll see in Part 3, next month.
Mouthpiece: The solid, sweet-iron mouthpiece with copper inlays applies more pressure to your horse’s bars and tongue than a jointed mouthpiece, giving it a firmer feel. The medium port provides tongue relief, but isn’t high enough to contact the roof of the average horse’s mouth (which would make it more severe). The thick bars won’t bruise your horse’s mouth like thinner ones could; the mouthpiece also tips slightly back, so balances well in the mouth.
The port’s copper roller (the mouthpiece’s only moving part) can help some horses relax in the mouth and jaw when they roll it with their tongues; it and the “slobber strap” (the leather strap between the shanks’ bottom rings) make this bit legal for NRCHA competition. (Rollers were common on the bits of Spanish vaqueros, from whom the sport of reined cow horses descended.)
Shanks: See Bit #2.
Problems it can solve: The loose shank can help loosen up a horse that’s stiff in his neck.
Tidbits: I showed Brother White in this bit while competing in the 2007 Western States Horse Expo’s Magnificent 7 competition—and won.

3 GLOBAL BIT TIPS
Tip #1: Use more brain, less bit. Reaching for a bigger bit is rarely (if ever) the answer to a problem—it may temporarily mask it, but it won’t solve it. Instead, when you run into trouble (such as a horse bracing or pulling), reach for a smooth-mouth snaffle. Then use your brain to figure out why he’s doing it. Is he crooked? Stiff? On his forehand, rather than rocking his weight onto his hind end? Fix the cause before you go back to your training and bit progression. (If you still have trouble in the snaffle, consult a reputable trainer and/or your vet—your horse may have a dental or other physical problem.)
Tip #2: Don’t rush to conclusions… When you make a bit change, such as from a ring snaffle to a step-up bit, your horse might fuss because it feels different. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t like it. Give him several days to adjust before trying something else.
Tip #3: …but know when to make a change. If your horse feels less broke in a new bit than he did with his old one, even after an adjustment period, go back to the smooth-mouth snaffle and review your basics (getting help, if necessary), before introducing another step-up bit.

TEAM Horse&Rider

Bob Avila’s contributions to the Quarter Horse industry were recognized in 1996, when he was named the AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year. He rode Shine By The Bay, owned by Rhodes River Ranch, to AQHA world championship titles in junior working cow horse in 2003 and senior working cow horse in 2004. He also earned the 2005 AQHA reserve world championship in junior reining aboard Chics Magic Potion. In June 2006, Bob took both All-Around Stock Horse Champion and reserve champion honors at the Magnificent 7 competition at the Western States Horse Expo. Bob has three wins at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, and took home the World’s Greatest Horseman title in 2000. He repeated that win in February 2007. His Avila Training Stables, Inc., is located in Temecula, California. To learn more, go to www.bobavila.net.