Bitting Method – Mouthpieces
Racing Industry and Snaffles
The usual bits that are used at racing yards are usually snaffles or a double jointed bit. This mouthpiece created a pressure in the center on the tongue which encourages the head down. The mouthpiece also creates squeeze on the tongue and lower jaw as it can fold back, this squeeze usually results in the head coming up. This can be conflicting signals and can result in the head jerking up and down which can shorten the horse stride and cause them to become unbalanced.
Knowing the dependence the racing world has for the standard snaffle, we developed the snaffle link to be comparable in look and function but massively reduce the nutcracker / squeeze on the tongue and lower jaw.
Snaffle Link
The Snaffle Link was designed to reduce the squeeze on the tongue and lower jaw. The larger link reduces the extent to which the snaffle can fold back, this reduces the pressure on the tongue and lower jaw.
Link Lock Up and McHardy
The link concept was extended to the Lock Up and McHardy mouthpieces.
Due to the nature and business of the sport, arena work is not an option to complete the bitting process in one session. Each animal is required to be run over a few days with the jockey and trainer continuing the bitting process by observing for resistances.
The success can be measured in the first 50m of a run. We want the horse to settle, allowing them to relax into position and extend their stride. The bit should not be a hinderance to the horse’s ability to increase their speed and should be comfortable for the horse to stretch into the contact.
To assist the jockeys and trainers we came up with a simplified 1 – 5 bitting decision tree.
Bombers Mouthpiece Bitting Tree
Step-by-step evaluation
Starting from a Snaffle
As previously mentioned, most bits used in racing yards are snaffles or similar. When a horse is okay in a snaffle, but their reactions show that their stride is being hindered – a good option to use is the Snaffle Link.
Step 1
Snaffle Link
The Snaffle Link was designed to reduce the squeeze on the tongue and lower jaw. The larger link reduces the extent to which the snaffle can fold back, this reduces the pressure on the tongue and lower jaw. The reduced squeeze will result in increased contact.
If the horse is showing signs of discomfort such as lifting their head high or pulling, the next option would be the Link Lock Up.
Link Lock Up
The Link Lock Up eliminates the squeeze on the tongue and lower jaw as the bit is restricted from folding backwards. This results in the mouthpiece retaining it’s shape in the horses mouth and spreading tongue pressure evenly. This mouthpiece encourages the head to come in.
After testing both snaffle designs and the horse has still not fully settled, the following step would be to relieve tongue pressure. If the horse is having reactions such as shaking their head, high head carriage or sticking their tongue out, the Happy Tongue and Bomber Blue are good bits to start with. Through years of bitting, Bombers has noticed an interesting trait in modern day horses, recently most horses have been found to be relatively tongue sensitive and required tongue relief to perform to their full potential.
Step 2
Happy Tongue
The Happy Tongue mouthpiece is ported to allow the tongue to comfortably sit in the port without creating a pressure point on the tongue or interfering with the horses palate. This mouthpiece is also curved to spread pressure over a larger surface area, thus decreasing the overall pressure in the mouth. These features make this bit comfortable on the horses lower jaw and bars of the mouth. This mouthpiece encourages solid contact due to the tongue relief, allowing the horse to work into the contact.
If the horse does not fully settle in a Happy Tongue, it is advised to try the horse in a Happy Tongue Swivel to relieve the maximum tongue pressure.
Happy Tongue Swivel
The Happy Tongue Swivel is a straight mouthpiece, not curved like the Happy Tongue, this will result in more pressure placed on the bars. The Swivel effect does allow the horse to set the port where they find it most comfortable, allowing optimal tongue relief. This mouthpiece works exceptionally well with horses that are extremely sensitive.
An alternative non-metal tongue relief bit to the Happy Tongue is the Bomber Blue.
Bomber Blue
The Bomber Blue is made of a nylon composite material. This mouthpiece, like the Happy Tongue, is ported to allow for tongue relief. The Bomber Blue is not curved which results in more pressure placed on the bars of the horse. Due to the non-metal nature of this mouthpiece, some horse, including youngsters may prefer the texture of this mouthpiece as it is less foreign to their mouths than a metal mouthpiece. The Bomber Blue can also come with the Swivel effect to allow the horse to set the port where they would find it most comfortable. This mouthpiece is often used with horses that are sensitive to tongue pressure and are fussy with metal mouthpieces.
If the horse does not settle fully in any of these tongue relief options, it would be advised to try a Ported Pivot.
Ported Pivot
This is the mouthpiece that is recommended for yearlings. It is a mouthpiece that allows for sufficient tongue relief, while not adding too much pressure on the bars of the mouth due to the nature of it’s curvature. This mouthpiece also has independent arms which allows for independent lateral aids. This encourages a softer and relaxed jaw as each side of the bit can work independently. Like the above mentioned mouthpieces, the Ported Pivot allows for a great amount of tongue relief. The curvature allows the bit to spread pressure over a larger surface area, making it light on the bars and lower jaw.
If the horse has reactions such as shaking their head, high head carriage or working behind the bit, you will have to look at a mouthpiece that distributes and balances pressure evenly between the tongue and the bars as these horses can be extremely sensitive to pressure. The Ultra Comfy Lock Up should be considered.
Step 3
Ultra Comfy Lock Up
The Ultra Comfy Lock Up was designed to relieve both tongue and bar pressure. Pressure is spread evenly across the tongue and bars. The squeeze on bars is eliminated as the double lock prevents the bit from creating a nutcracker action. Tongue pressure is softened due as the mouth piece is slightly angled up, allowing the mouthpiece to create space for the tongue. This evenly distributed pressure improves the contact.
A non-metal mouthpiece that has similar effects as the Ultra Comfy Lock Up is the Moulded Mullen.
Moulded Mullen
This mouthpiece is important to take note of as this mouthpiece is ideal when bitting a horse with a present or past internal mouth injury. This mouthpiece, like the Ultra Comfy Lock Up spreads pressure between the tongue and bars. The center is flattened and set at a 45 degree angle. When the mouthpiece is engaged, it flexes, allowing for more room for the tongue. Due to it’s synthetic material it is flexible and softer on the bars and tongue than a metal mouthpiece. Additionally, some horse, including youngsters may prefer the texture of this mouthpiece as it is less foreign to their mouths than a metal mouthpiece.
If the horse has a low head carriage or poor contact, the McHardy Link is the mouthpiece to try.
Step 4
McHardy Link
The McHardy Link allows some space for the tongue due to the port. This mouthpiece encourages the horse to bring their head up as it squeezes the lower jaw and tongue.
If the horse continues to have a high head carriage, tongue pressure could encourage the head to come down. A Control Plate is advised.
Step 5
Control Plate
The Control Plate is a double joint with a plate in the center. The Control Plate is set at a 45 degree angle, resulting in it sitting flat on the horses tongue and spreading pressure out over a greater surface area resulting in better acceptance of pressure. Pressure on bars is softened due to curved shape. The plate in the center of the mouthpiece applies tongue pressure which encourages the horse to lower it’s head.
