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Thorough study of the horse’s anatomy has led to a change in the way some bits are being made.
Traditional thinking said that the thicker the bit, the milder its action and a single joined snaffle was one of the most comfortable bits for the horse.
Studies using fluoroscopy, moving X-ray technology, has shown the action of the jointed snaffle to be anything but mild.
For a horse to be able to swallow saliva it’s tongue needs to be able to make contact with the roof of the mouth.
As grazers horses make large amounts of saliva to aid in the digestion of their continual intake of grass. When something enters the mouth saliva is produced. A bit in the horses mouth has this effect and it is due to this action that purest riders say that a bitless bridle is far better for the horse as there is no bit to initiate the digestive process, causing the horse to salivate even though there is no food entering the stomach with the saliva.
For a variety of reasons most riders use a bit.
Making the horse as comfortable as possible with the bit has a huge effect on the way the horse moves.
Freeing up the tongue so that the horse can move it to swallow is paramount to the horse’s comfort. One of the actions of the ordinary jointed snaffle is to press down on the tongue, which of course will inhibit its movement.
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