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Behind Myler Bits

"Designed with the equine in mind"

Myler Bits was established in 1987 - and it is more than just a bit. Myler the system is a completely new way of understanding how the bit works in the horse's mouth. Ron, Dale and Bob Myler are the third generation of horsemen who developed the theory of tongue freedom and pressure on the tongue through training their own horses. Their unique mouthpieces and innovative bit rings give the rider good communication with the horse and allow the horse to relax on the bit.

Myler The system was developed with the idea that a horse doesn't use the same bit throughout its training - in the beginning it needs more support and guidance, whereas as it nears completion, it benefits from more freedom, finer cues and a calmer mouth. The bites from Myler are therefore divided into Levels 1, 2, 2-3 and 3. Each Level is suitable for one type of horse and one level of training.

See the Myler Bits product catalog:

Level 1 - Level 2 - Level 2-3 - Level 3 - Accessories for Myler

...go back to the Brand group

- find your nearest Myler bid dealer on dealer list

- read more about Myler the Bits system and learn about the different levels below.

- you can also visit the Bid group if you are looking for a specific side piece or want to read more about the possibility of bit customization and bit testing.

- - - - - -

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Level 1	The horse at Level 1: The horse is to be broken in or has just started breaking in. The horse is about to or is learning the basics of gaits, transitions and obedience. The horse has been ridden a bit, but is still learning basic signals. The horse has a challenging temperament.	Level 1 bit: The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow. The bit has no gate, so there is a low degree of tongue freedom. Due to the lack of tongue freedom, the bit puts pressure on both tongue and loader; Myler the bit distributes the pressure more evenly over the tongue than the traditional two- or three-part bit.
Level 2	The horse at Level 2: The horse has the basic training and masters the basic signals (start, stop, turn). The horse is beginning to master more complicated exercises - for example, leg yielding. The horse has only been ridden a little, but has a good temperament. The horse shows resistance and reluctance to Myler the Level 1 bites.	The bit in Level 2: The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow. The bit is available with a low port for tongue freedom. Or the bit is available with three joints for more mobility. The bit has little tongue clearance and therefore puts less pressure on the tongue and more pressure on the loins.
Level 2-3	The horse at Level 2-3: The horse has training equivalent to Level 2, but has a good temperament and can therefore benefit from a bit with more freedom of tongue. The horse has training equivalent to Level 3, but requires more support and control as it is not ready for the freedom of the Level 3 bit. The horse shows resistance and reluctance to Myler the Level 2 bites.	The Level 2-3 bit: The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow. The bit has a low-port mouthpiece that provides a degree of tongue freedom. The mouthpiece is fitted with a cylinder in the middle of the port that secures the bit in place for maximum peace of mind in the horse's mouth. The tongue-free bit allows the horse to swallow while the pressure from the bit settles on the loads.
Level 3	The horse at Level 3: The horse is far along in its training or fully trained - it is cooperative and obedient. The horse is relaxed on the bit and understands signals from the bit. The horse masters difficult exercises. The horse reacts well and understands the signals from the seat, legs and rein.	The Level 3 bit: The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow. The bit has a high-port mouthpiece for maximum tongue freedom. The mouthpiece is fitted with a cylinder in the middle of the port that secures the bit in place for maximum peace of mind in the horse's mouth. The tongue-free bit allows the horse to swallow while the pressure of the bit settles on the loads.

Level
1

The horse at Level 1:

The horse is to be broken in or has just started breaking in.
The horse is about to or is learning the basics of gaits, transitions and obedience.
The horse has been ridden a bit, but is still learning basic signals.
The horse has a challenging temperament.

Level 1 bit:

The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow.
The bit has no gate, so there is a low degree of tongue freedom.
Due to the lack of tongue freedom, the bit puts pressure on both tongue and loader; Myler the bit distributes the pressure more evenly over the tongue than the traditional two- or three-part bit.

Level
2

The horse at Level 2:

The horse has the basic training and masters the basic signals (start, stop, turn).
The horse is beginning to master more complicated exercises - for example, leg yielding.
The horse has only been ridden a little, but has a good temperament.
The horse shows resistance and reluctance to Myler the Level 1 bites.

The bit in Level 2:

The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow.
The bit is available with a low port for tongue freedom.
Or the bit is available with three joints for more mobility.
The bit has little tongue clearance and therefore puts less pressure on the tongue and more pressure on the loins.

Level
2-3

The horse at Level 2-3:

The horse has training equivalent to Level 2, but has a good temperament and can therefore benefit from a bit with more freedom of tongue.
The horse has training equivalent to Level 3, but requires more support and control as it is not ready for the freedom of the Level 3 bit.
The horse shows resistance and reluctance to Myler the Level 2 bites.

The Level 2-3 bit:

The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow.
The bit has a low-port mouthpiece that provides a degree of tongue freedom.
The mouthpiece is fitted with a cylinder in the middle of the port that secures the bit in place for maximum peace of mind in the horse's mouth.
The tongue-free bit allows the horse to swallow while the pressure from the bit settles on the loads.

Level
3

The horse at Level 3:

The horse is far along in its training or fully trained - it is cooperative and obedient.
The horse is relaxed on the bit and understands signals from the bit.
The horse masters difficult exercises.
The horse reacts well and understands the signals from the seat, legs and rein.

The Level 3 bit:

The bit has an anatomically shaped mouthpiece with a slight arch that allows the horse to swallow.
The bit has a high-port mouthpiece for maximum tongue freedom.
The mouthpiece is fitted with a cylinder in the middle of the port that secures the bit in place for maximum peace of mind in the horse's mouth.
The tongue-free bit allows the horse to swallow while the pressure of the bit settles on the loads.

Independent Side Movement

Some of the Myler bits are equipped with so-called "Independent Side Movement". As the name suggests, this allows the rider to move each side of the bit independently of each other. This means that when the rider pulls on one rein, the horse gets a very clear signal as only one side moves. This provides effective shoulder control and bending of the horse.

Recognizing resistance and reluctance to the bit

If the horse is uncomfortable with the bit it's wearing, it can't perform optimally. Typically, the resistance we see from the horse is because it is tongue free. When the horse has a bit in its mouth, it sits on top of its tongue, and if the mouthpiece isn't shaped to allow the horse tongue freedom, it won't be able to swallow its saliva. The hyoid bone is connected to the muscles of the lower neck, which are connected to the muscles of the horse's entire lower line. If the horse can't move its tongue and swallow its saliva, it will be locked throughout its underside and inhibited in its movements.

The horse gives different signals that show it is uncomfortable on the bit it is walking with:

1: Walking behind the bit.

2: Walking over the bit.

3: Overactive mouth: opening the mouth.

4: Overactive mouth: sticking the tongue out of the mouth or pulling the tongue backwards.

5: Overactive mouth: tongue over the bite.

6: Lying down or leaning on the bite.