Choosing What Bit To Use On Your Horse 

I LOVE how he shows the bad ones and just tosses them. very educational and I learned a lot. keep making videos!

the part when he just chucks bits over his shoulder gets me every time

It's great that you just threw away the "No-No Bits". I agree with what you had to say, and enjoyed watching this.

I have a gaited horse and I used to ride her in a mikmar, (sorta clunky bit to the left of the table) and eventually I saw this video. My horse would constantly push against the mikmar and pull away, when I saw this video I put her in a loose ring snaffle. Since she has improved wonderfully and I thank you for this. :)

This is the best video I've seen on bits. I thank you for helping me understand them better so I can be more aware of what my horse is feeling.

Thank you for this video, it's great. It's quite enlightening and disappointing to see that some bits are so severe they damage the horse's mouth badly and are still manufactured!! There should have some more standards to avoid these to be sold. Thank you for sharing!

Hi guys. Here's a couple facts on bits: 1. Bits are used to apply pressure, not hurt the horse. 2. Hackamores/bitless bridles can hurt the horse worse than bits if not properly fitted. 3. Horses show signs of pain from bits by head-tossing, and opening their mouth very widely, etc.. 4. A horse who's mouth is closed and they are calm and relaxed while being ridden is not in pain. 5. You can not assume somebody is a horse abuser because they say they use a bit *cough* *cough* Julia Northcott *cough* *cough* 6. Many bits are painful, but that's why you choose a bit your horse is comfortable in. 7. If your horse prefers bitless riding, go for it! If they are better with a bit, also go for it! Do what is best for the horse. 8. Sometimes a horse who shows pain in the mouth isn't in pain from the bit, but from an improperly fit bridle. Why do us equestrians hate on each other so much? Can't go on a single riding video without people pointing out every mistake a rider makes. Anyway, have a nice day. Keep up the nice riding.

Everyone here commenting on how we should all ride in hackamores instead are misinformed. Hackamores also work with pressure, specifically leverage pressure. The shank puts pressure on the poll and nose, which many horses dislike. They could rear up and over to try to escape the pressure. How is that better than a simple snaffle?

13:24 "these things throw 'em away" *pass two minutes literally throwing away bits I appreciate the "throw away what I think it sucks" philosophy of this dude.

"THE SLOW WAY IS THE FAST WAY WITH HORSES! If you take the time that it takes, it will take less time" - Rick Gore from 'Think Like A Horse'

LOVE this video. Thanks Bernie for a fantastic overview of bits and your emphasis on using kinder bits whenever possible.

people if you are going to comment at least watch the video. He is not trying to sell anything. He is giving away his VERY EXPERT OPINION. All bits are not painful. Please tell me where did this FAD of rope halters as bridlescome from. I know the answer but really hate to be rude to them.

I love how you tossed those shit bits! Gotta love it!

I have been riding for a over a year with a bit less bridle and honestly my horses are much more responsive with it than with a bit.

This is the best instructional video on bits wow 😮 thank you sir!

Thank you for making this. I'm thinking about getting my first horse, and I had no clue what bit to use until I watched this video. Thank you!

I enjoy his opinion a lot but dang would it be expensive and time consuming to own as many bits as I would want to have so I could change my bits around like he's saying 😆 I really agree with a lot of this though

Fantastic video, even though I've always just used rubber or simple snaffles on my horses, I liked learning about different bits, and especially about the other lighter training snaffles than what I've been familiar with. Very educational. Thank you.

this video is GOLD. He teaches it so well I could hear him talk for hours. Great video. I’ve been very confused about bits, TYSM!!!!

Amazing! Extremely informative. Thank you so much for making this video. Every horse owner should watch this video so they understand what they are putting in their horses mouth. You explain these bits so it's easy to understand what they are used for and how they feel in the horses mouth. You've won me over and I will watch more of your videos!

I cringe when he said "these gadget bits are only for untrainable horses" how bout for just none

I really like video! I wish he would have went over more curb bits. I LOVE his bit collection. I thought it was the funniest thing when he threw those nasty bits over his shoulder.

I find it amusing those who believe all horses prefer bitless. My horse goes bridleless AND in a bit. He prefers the bit for dressage work and bridleless for jumping. He will literally pick the bit up in his mouth, it's adorable. So if he hated the bit I am pretty sure he wouldn't be so eager

I know nothing about horses but I found this video extremely interesting. I think I’m going to book a riding lesson 🤗

Thanks for advocating for softer bits and comfort. If I can't ride bitless, I use flavoured silicone snaffle. Horsemanship isn't about abusing horse into obeying you in this moment, it's beauty is about willing cooperation. I'd love to see more about fitting saddles and new saddle tree construction.

I've honestly had my best luck in the straight rubber bit, every horse that I've had who I've ridden it in has loved it

"Maybe he works with thinner D s, we also have thicker D s, and we have some very thick D s. It's all a matter of what he likes" I'm sorry, I'm so immature...but I had to

Thank you for your time. It's apparent you care most about being a partner with your horse. I appreciate hate the education. I'm sure you have saved many horses pain and many riders frustration. So we'll explained.

Love this video. Thank you for your insight. For myself, after I get a horse used to how a bit should work, I ride in a rope hackamore. I use it for everyday since I typically just trail ride and have no need for a bit. But on the occasion, I keep a standard snaffle, rubber snaffle and rubber mullen in my tack room, for days when I either want to do specialized training or train for a show. These bits are my go to and so far have never steared me wrong. I want to keep that sensitivity in the horses mouth. Their comfort is my #1 also.

Wish my tb boy wasn't in pain when he has hackamores, bitless bridles or halter bridles on him, he absolutely hates them. Bad experience with previous owners years ago has made him face sensitive and face shy, you can barely brush his face or pet it, let alone be yanking the sides with a hackamore. Dressage Eggbutt is our favorite to use, he's so soft in the mouth and you don't even need to pull half the time as he goes by leg and voice aids, but it's a brilliant and softer backup for steering and stopping when needed as we hack on the roads in this country. Not every horse enjoys bitless, maybe my next horse will be much happier in one, but until then I'm going to go by the method my horse tells me he is most comfortable in.

A bicycle chain bit!??? Never come across o e of those before and I don't want to either!! Thank you for making this vid- even though I don't own my own horse, I found this helpful to know for the future😀

I'm personally not a fan of single jointed due to the way it pinches the tongue and pokes the roof of the mouth. I (where possible) go for a full-cheek rubber double-jointed snaffle where possible or a loose ring double-jointed and play around with the particular horse in question. In my opinion, there are very few horses out there that if trained and ridden correctly need anything stronger.

Great presentation thank you. The only horses I ever put Twisted wire on were some hardcore run off horses on the track. I only used it to say can you hear me now and then speak very softly while you carry a big stick. Horses can be heavy but much of it is created by riders being heavy in the hands, I also use neck ropes in conjunction with a bit if a horse is real heavy to try to get them to lighten up without much pull on their mouth. As you so wisely stated earlier it is a training issue and taking the time. When horses get wound up in a show situation or under pressure there's only so much you can do to train that out of them. Sometimes the very hot difficult horses are terrific athletes but they are not for everyone to ride particularly not in competition. Thanks again for doing a great job.

Did people click on this video just to comment about how bits are torture and how they hurt horses? Thanks for the input but demonizing the people who are probably here for some useful information isn't helpful. Plus, not every horse always rides well in something like a hackamore. Would you rather have to tug slightly on his mouth until he learns a proper halt or borderline break his nose with more needed pressure?

I've watched a lot of You tube videos on a ton of topics from car repair, to welding art, to horse training and beyond. I think this is the best YT video I have ever seen. I'm having trouble with my 1st polo pony and getting the right bit. Not exactly what his focus, but extremely worthwhile and so well done. Rode a ton for about 15 years, then stopped for 30. Don't want to rely on what I "used to know". That was great.

My horse lives his bit now thanks to your advice!

Every horse is different. Every bit is different. Every horse's preference is different. My point is there is no right or wrong answer it is all up to the horse and trainer to say what to use. Your horse is different then mine. It's Fine if bit less works for your horse, fine if bits works for your horse. But I would personality never use two jointed bits when you pull one side the whole bit moves and it points up and stabs the roof of the mouth causing the horses head to go up. I like three jointed bits because they dont stab the horse's roof of their mouth and when pulling one side only that side moves. And VERY IMPORTANT: dont take the bridle straight off , take it off slowly so it doesn't scrap his teeth when taking it off . anything can hurt if used incorrectly even just a halter and reins. REMEMBER: just because it worked for your horse doesn't mean it will work for mine and at the end of the day all I care about is staying safe in the saddle and the horse's safety and comfort. MOST IMPORTANT: every one is entitled to there one option just dont be a jerk and bully someone for using something different. Do research from not bias sites before yelling at someone for being a cruel animal abuser from hell for using a bit. And those horrible horrific pics of bits just remember "One bad apple spoils the bunch" every is entitles to their own opinion have a good day hope you find this useful and helpful ☺💖

I use the JP Korsteel Dee Ring Snaffle with Copper Link. It is a great match for my gelding, and he is super comfortable with it. My rule for using bits is simple: if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, then you shouldn’t put it in your horses. I also go by USPC bit restrictions. That being said, I have friends and trainers who would put any bit in the horses mouth, but I figured that it would be more comfortable for the horse my way.

Thank you all for your comments. For those asking for bit advice did you know that EquestrianCoach members can submit questions to our panel of experts on anything from bits to lead changes, or advice on getting over fear after a fall. Learn more and submit your "Ask The Experts" questions at: equestriancoachblog.com/ask-the-experts/#question

This video was so helpful for me finding a bit for my stallion and learnt a lot about them too thank you

Thank you for this great info. The best in my opinion!

I love this video. My mare loves the D w/ copper rollers for showing in the hunters. This video is actually how I picked it out! She will seek it out like she would an apple haha

Very informative! I was thinking about going bigger but after watching this I will definitely go back to the basics and try the D ring snaffle.

Love all your bits videos I have leant so much thank you

most awsome video ever i have seen in a long time, its just awsome, no words to explain.

I use a jointed happy mouth like that for dressage... nice and legal to use as long as you make sure the plastic is in proper order. And lots of horses don’t like the single jointed snaffles bc they put a ton of pressure on the bars of the mouth. The link in the middle offers more tongue pressure.

Thank you, this was extremely helpful, there are so many bits that it can be overwhelming and it is tough to find info that is thorough. This was thorough!!

Both me and my friend are using hackamore on our horses and they love it. I have had a Hackamore for a very long time and he goes super good i It, my friend have only used it for half a year and she feels a very big different. I think that horses that throws much with their heads should trie a hackamore. I also think that it's kinder to the Horse whit hackamore.

Ryan - if you are using a jointed bit, try a straight bar. rubber is great. try a bit with a small link. try one with a tiny bit of poll pressure. don't keep fighting with whatever bit you using

Really enjoyed this video

Wonderful instruction

It is very knowledgeable video about bits, Thanks sir, I liked this video,👍👍

Great video. I still think these 'fancy' and thin bits should only be available to the most advanced riders. I know so many people who're using gaggs and pelhams wrong... It's really important to educate the rider to use soft bits, especially when the horse has a sensitive mouth. Soft bits are the best for most horses, and bitless is even better for some... (whether it be hackamore or sidepull or bitless bridle or anything else) I think as long as your horse likes the bit and you don't hurt it nor struggle / fight with the horse it's good. Bits are special and require soft hands. But any way of riding requires soft hands so work on that before you go to a harder bit. It really is essential. :)

i think the worst one on that table is the chain bit that was cruel

Thank you for the video....im extremely new to horses and have been school riding for a year, was confused about bits and its purpose other then to steer....your video has increased my knowlegde and most of the confusion has been replaced with "ahh I get it now"...thankyou 😊

thank you! listening from Santa Rosa Ca. 👍🏼❤️

I wish I could have you come out a fit a bit for my horse! My trainer wouldn't bother doing this and I don't know exactly what to look for on my own.

I would always start a horse in a rope halter (padding) If they were not good in that rope halter, I would go to one with no padding. If they still were not good, I would put some paracord (two pieces with loops on either end with some more wrapped around for padding) through the rings on either side. If not responsive enough still, I will get my paracord without padding. I will then add more knots. If no luck with the rope halters, I would move to a short shanked fleece hackamore. I will then move into longer shanks. Never with bits I do not believe in bits but it all depends on the riders hands.

there is a lot of misinformation in this, and a lot of non-information. the actual way in which the mouthpieces interact with the mouth is not really mentioned, and where there is a little, it is mostly off. single jointed snaffles have a lever in the mouthpiece, even if there is no shank, the shank length has a lever based on ratio, not on absolute length, the two he holds next to one another to compare are not that different in lever ratio, ( i am measuring from the video image, but we are looking at 1,8:1 vs 2,1:1 so that is a pretty negligable difference, but the shorter one is quicker... no mention of that.. the idea that you need to accomodate a sawing action in the bitting, is pretty disconserting... the foto of the dentistry with someone not looking what they're doing (feeling with the hand in stead) is very wrong... this will just rob a horse from being able to chew...their molars should not look completely rounded, only problematic corners should be removed to prevent overtention of the chewing muscles, then tensioning the TMG... etc etc bitting is surely a huge topic, but there is frankly misinformation here, the idea that a jointed mouthpiece is less severe than a straight one is simply wrong... and his anecdotes support this, as well.. he says 'he never used a leverage bit' when he jsut talked about a pelham that he was so fond of.... that is a contradiction in terms... frankly... a few of the discarded bits are fundamentally the same as the ones he will 'tune' in... and are just as dangerously severe.... frankly confusing rubbish

This video was extremely helpful. Thank you!

Lovely, informative video Bernie!

Loved how you chucked the bits :D Good on you!!

you should never have a bit that requires really soft hands, because when we get scared, when the horse panics, no one have soft hands. And if you then cause à lot of pain in the horses mouth, and its alredy panicing, that can result in a accident.

please use double jointed snaffles. single jointed like the majority of the 'normal' bits are like a nutcracker and apply lots of pressure on the tounge. if your horse likes to rear, pulling on this may make them do that

All the horses at my stables are ridden either in a lose ring snaffle or egg butt snaffle

Thank you for this learning video!

This was so helpful! Thank you!

For all of you who think bits hurt the horse..: the RIGHT BIT does NOT hurt the horse! It only puts pressure in it`s mouth. It`s the pressure they respond to. You`ll know very quick if you use the wrong bit. Check your horses mouth every day to see if they get any injuries

The barrel racing community really needs to watch this

That horse said stop playing with my mouth bro

i always try and use a snaffle when training and them move into something stronger if needed in the show ring but i almost always use a snaffle for training

Not every three piece snaffle is a french link. Dr Bristol is the flat, longer one. French link a dog bone, oval link is similar to a french link but wider. Ball link is even wider than an oval, like a Waterford

He lost me when he said, "These bits are for a difficult, untrainable horse." You cannot control any horse's emotions with a bit.

I'd also like to add that it's truly a shame that there's so many ignorant, gullible people out there who will be believe ANYTHING anyone tells me. You give some really good information here, and all these misinformed haters on here are really missing a good lesson. Bits hurt a horse's mouth no more than the person using it (with some exceptions, like you prove about the "no-no" bits). I'm a firm believer in using a bit, but keeping it as light as possible, and if you have a good foundation on your horse, you shouldn't ever NEED anything more than just the basics. Anyway, thanks for the video. Very informative. :) I just wish other people could understand this.

I keep moving my cursor down to like this and then realizing I already liked it lol!

Thank You so much for your video and advice.... I need more advice on which bits to use as I value your feedback...I will " Ask the experts" :)

I use a jointed rubber Pelham with my hot horse and it works wonders. She used to go in a kimberwick and I just really didn't like how she reacted to it

Obrigado! Explicações claras e objetivas.

what bit is best to try for a pony who has a flat roof mouth and sensitive mouth but very strong thanks

What a great video, thank you

lately i wonder which snaffle out of those is the softest and the best- eggbutt- D snaffle or loose ring? that most horses find comfortable and soft and react very good to

I have myler bits & all kinds of bits. Then I learned to ride my horse bit less, by using a rope halter, through Parelli. I'm happy & my horse is happy. Anyone want used bits, cheap??

Excellent presentation and information! Thank you!

Really good and helpful thank you xx

thankyou

Love the video. Thank you

I agree with a lot of his video, but snaffles are a nutcracker effect, I don't consider them to be mild, and I avoid them. A loose ring oval is kindest and I think communicates more effectively as it does not collapse and raise in mouth like a snaffle. I was a bit surprised that he prefers a broken snaffle.

The COOK BITLESS bridles are good for them ?

Why is the bit on 26:38 so sharp? I thought it was rather a softer one because it has a tongue bow which reduces the pressure on the tongue

My favourite bit is the air bit. It's a bit that you can't feel or see. To attach it, you get a hackamore and put it in your bridle. Man, I love the air bit.

My horse dentist said that my mare has an irritation on the middle of the tongue. I ride with passoa and normal bar (broken 1 time) What are other bits should i try? Broken 2 times maybe?

My 25 year old Arabian/QH mare is in a D-ring snaffle bit. She’s super hot and loves to run. Every time I ask for a simple walk by putting a bit of pressure one rein at a time, she throws her head up and just pushes right through the aid. Same with turning- when I ask to turn she hesitates and refuses unless I really reach down and FORCE her to turn. My trainer suggested a full bit with a correctional port.. would you agree? Please help.

I barrel race and my horse is so strong on the bite. He uses a a rhombus thumb bit.

I choose a bitless bridle. 😊

My horse will not stop well, he doesn’t mind his bit he does great at walk/trot great bends at the poll. He never tosses his head EVER. Does he need a harsher bit? He will just run trough it, I know he understands what I’m asking because he listens at walk/trot and will back up nicely.... Opinions?

I need help with bits. I currently have my 7 year old tb in a loose ring French link as she has used for years. I was told I should try her in something else as the loose ring has too much leeway. She was getting a bit too low and chomping on the bit. I tried a thicker size and was going well but now she grinds and doesn't get soft in the mouth as much keeping her head higher. Im going to re-try a full cheek French link on her and see how she goes as I didn't notice any difference. Looking at trying or buying a eggbut French link as well as that might have a little more connection but not harsh. I just don't know what I should be using as one she's dragging her head, another chomping and the others I cant tell a difference. She's soft in the mouth but when she spooks or gets hot I need to have some sort of connection to get her back...

I have a question. I have a rubber covered snaffle where the rubber was coming off and rough looking, so I cut the rubber off down to the metal. Its looks like an ordinary snaffle now except the bars are straight and not in a curved fashion. Would this make it harsher on the horses mouth? This would make the bars straight and flat against the horses tongue, but still jointed.

What type to use on fresian horse she’s used to bosal

Please answer: do you prefer (which is nicer for the horse) single or French link snaffles???

How do you feel about bits with rollers? Would like anyone’s opinions.