Our goal with this study is to create awareness about what you cannot see in your horses mouth while they are performing with the bit or bits of your choice. The bits we used in this study can be found in most every ropers tack room. Additionally the horses used are 3 and 5 years old. The 3 yr. old was pictured with bits more commonly used on a younger developing horse. The 5 yr. old was pictured with bits more commonly used with a more developed broke horse. Points of interest are, tongue pressure and soft palate pressure. Feel free to draw your own conclusions from our visual clinical study. Let’s Rope.com is committed to continuously creating awareness on important topics relating to equine sports.
Shanked Snaffle Bit
Standard Snaffle Mouthpiece is 5 1/4" wide
Here you can see a shanked snaffle bit with loose reins (no pressure applied).
Shanked snaffle bit with bit engaged.
**Notice when pressure is applied the horse begins to open it's jaw.**
Short Shank Chain Bit
Standard Chain Mouthpiece is 5 1/2" wide
Shanked chain bit with bit engaged.
**Notice when pressure is applied the horse begins to open it's jaw.**
Short Shank Dog Bone w/Copper Rollers
Standard Dogbone with Roller Mouthpiece is 5 1/4" wide.
Here you can see a dogbone bit with copper rollers with loose reins (no pressure applied).
Dog bone bit with copper rollers with bit engaged.
**The horse seems comfortable with this mouthpiece in, as a result, the jaw remains closed.**
Standard Ported Chain Mouthpiece
Standard Ported Chain Mouthpiece is 5 1/2" wide.
This line in the x-ray indicates the soft palate, in this case this mouthpiece with no pressure is resting on the soft palate.
**The horse seems comfortable with this mouthpiece in, and as a result, the jaw remains closed.
Standard Correction Mouthpiece
Standard Correction Mouthpiece is 5 1/4" wide.
Here you can see a standard correction mouthpiece with loose reins (no pressure applied).
Here you can see a standard correction mouthpiece with pressure applied.
**Notice when pressure is applied horse begins to open it's jaw slightly.**
Standard Medium Port Mouthpiece
Standard Medium Port Mouthpiece is 5 1/2" wide.
Here you can see a standard medium port mouthpiece with loose reins (no pressure applied).
Here you can see a standard medium port mouthpiece with pressure applied.
**The horse seems comfortable with this mouthpiece in, and as a result, the jaw remains closed.
Seventeen years ago, my husband and I were sitting in the living room with our family discussing a possible South Texas Tack. Little did we know that it would become reality. Ever since that day Steve and I have worked together to help bring you the best that the western lifestyle can offer in products, service and knowledge. The knowledge we share is from our experience and observations. “A Bit of Knowledge” is one of many articles that was written to share with you.
Come See Us. I would love to hear from you.
For the love of Horses,
Nancy
