🐴💕🦄 Do Horses Try to Escape Bit Pressure?

Natural Horse NZ
2 days ago
3 min read

The study above found that horses altered the way they moved their heads and mouths in response to rein tension, with many of these oral behaviours occurring as the rein pressure reduced. The researchers concluded that these behaviours were likely helping to relieve pressure from the bit on the sensitive structures inside the horse's mouth.

To me, that's fascinating.

It suggests that some of the movements we often dismiss as "fussing", "playing with the bit" or simply normal behaviour may actually be attempts to find relief from the pressure being applied inside the mouth.

I know I might be criticised for saying this, but I genuinely don't understand why more people don't at least consider trying a bitless bridle.

Over the last 20 years, I've worked with thousands of horses, helping many owners make the transition to bitless riding. Time and time again, I've seen horses become more relaxed, more willing and more comfortable once the bit has been removed.

At the end of the day, even the kindest bit is still a foreign object sitting inside one of the most sensitive parts of the horse's body. The moment rein pressure is applied, that pressure has to be transferred somewhere within the mouth.

If you'd like a simple way to appreciate this, try holding a pencil gently between your teeth for five minutes. Nobody needs to pull on the ends. Simply having an object sitting in your mouth soon becomes surprisingly distracting and uncomfortable.

Now imagine trying to exercise, carry yourself correctly and respond to rein pressure while that object remains in place.

Another thing worth thinking about is saliva. Healthy horses don't normally drool when they're relaxed and grazing in the paddock. Yet excessive salivation is often considered perfectly normal when a horse is wearing a bit. Whether that's simply part of accepting the bit or a sign that the horse is responding to something uncomfortable is a question every rider should ask themselves.

Of course, every horse is an individual, and every rider should make informed decisions based on their own horse's needs. But if you've never experienced riding bitless, perhaps it's something worth exploring.

You may be surprised by just how much your horse appreciates the change.

🌿 The next time you pick up your reins, take a moment to think about what your horse may be feeling inside their mouth.

❤️ Horses communicate with us in many different ways, but sometimes the signs are so subtle that they're easy to overlook.

🐴 As we continue to learn more about how horses respond to rein pressure and bits, we have an opportunity to make choices that prioritise their comfort as well as our communication.

🦄 Sometimes the biggest improvement doesn't come from changing our horse… it comes from changing the equipment we ask them to wear.

🐴💕🦄 Part of The Bitless Horse Series

Every horse is an individual, and bitless riding is about far more than simply removing the bit. Throughout The Bitless Horse Series, we'll explore the science, behaviour, training and practical knowledge behind riding without a bit, helping you better understand how horses learn, communicate and respond to pressure, so you can make informed decisions for your own horse.