The most common signs of a wrong bite

Horses are always honest and will tell us if they are uncomfortable with something; this also applies to the bit, we just need to know the signs they show us. We've compiled the four most common signs of bit resistance to help you learn more - maybe your horse wants a different bit?

The horse goes "over the bit"

The horse raises its head and may shake its head to relieve the tongue or entire mouth. This results in the bit sliding backwards in the mouth, relieving pressure on the tongue in particular. The horse can either walk in this position all the time or alternate between walking over the bit and walking in the correct position.

The horse walks "behind the bit"

The horse presses its nose backwards to remove the pressure the bit puts on the tongue. As a result, the bit puts pressure on the lips and pasterns. Just as when the horse goes "over the bit", it can go "behind the bit" for longer or shorter periods of time.

The horse presses the head down

There are different degrees of head down. Some horses press their head so hard against the ground that the rider is almost pulled out of the saddle, while others "just" get heavy on the bit. When the horse presses its head down, the pressure from the bit will settle on the lips and bars, relieving the tongue. This kind of resistance on the bit can also be a reminder not to put too much pressure on the reins.

The horse has an overactive mouth

This is wide-ranging and is typically the first sign that the horse is uncomfortable with something. The horse may either put their tongue over, back or out of their mouth, or chew and munch. There can also be many degrees of overactive mouth, and it's important to question if you see this behavior instead of "fixing" the problem by putting a tight noseband on the horse.

Choose the right bit for your horse

Common to the signs of bit discomfort is that the horse is trying to relieve its mouth and especially its tongue, so by choosing a tongue-free bit, you can alleviate many of the discomforts the horse experiences with the bit. There are several reasons why it's a good idea to choose a tongue-free bit - you can read more about tongue-free bits in this post.

If you are unsure whether your horse needs a different bit, you should ask a professional for advice - either a veterinarian specializing in teeth, an authorized Myler dealer or other person with the right professional background. Of course, you are always welcome to contact Riding Equipment's customer service, we are happy to help you either find a new bit or someone in your area who has the skills and knowledge to help. Remember that not all trainers are educated in horse anatomy, bits and other equipment etc. even if they are skilled at riding and teaching, so you should always ask someone who is educated in the area you want to know more about.