š“šš¦ Why Would a Bit Affect Breathing?
- Natural Horse NZ
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Horses never evolved to carry people on their backs, and they definitely were not designed to have a metal or even a rubber bar sitting in their mouths while they exercised.
Their mouths evolved for the things horses naturally do every day, such as eating, drinking, swallowing and communicating with other horses.
So, when we place something into the horse's mouth, it's only natural that it can change how those normal body functions work.
That doesn't mean the horse can't eat, swallow or breathe when a bit is present. Of course they can. But it does mean those functions may no longer work exactly as nature intended, and that's regardless of whether anyone is attached to that bit by a rein or not.
That also means this isn't simply a question of having "good hands." The moment a bit is placed in the horse's mouth, changes begin to occur whether the reins are picked up, hanging completely loose, or not attached to the bit at all.
In other words, before the rider has done anything, the horse's body has already started responding to the presence of the bit.
For example, even though horses are what are known as obligate nasal breathers, meaning they breathe through their noses rather than their mouths, what happens inside the mouth can still affect breathing.
This is because the mouth, tongue, throat and nose are all connected and work together as part of the same upper airway system.
When something is placed in the mouth, the body doesn't simply ignore it. Instead, it begins responding as though something has entered the mouth that may need to be swallowed. That's a perfectly normal reflex because, throughout evolution, the only reason something would normally be inside the mouth was to be eaten or drunk.
To protect the lungs while swallowing takes place, the body has a remarkable safety mechanism. A small flap of tissue called the epiglottisĀ folds over the entrance to the windpipe, helping stop food or fluid from entering the lungs. At the same time, the body temporarily gives swallowing priority over breathing because inhaling food into the lungs would obviously be far more dangerous.
So, if placing a bit into the mouth is capable of triggering these normal swallowing-related responses, even before a rein is ever picked up, isn't it reasonable to ask whether that could also influence the horse's breathing while they are exercising?
Whether you're riding for pleasure, competing at the highest level, or simply wanting to give your horse every possible advantage, it's worth asking one final question.
If a horse breathes best with nothing in their mouth, surely it's best to keep it that way rather than invade the delicate oral cavity with a bit. This is why we don't agree that there is any such thing as a "soft" or "kind" bit. Regardless of its material, thickness, shape or styling, it is still occupying the horse's mouth, and the horse's body is still responding to its presence.
This is a physiological response, not a training technique or a question of having better hands.
That's one of the reasons we support bitless riding.
š“šš¦ 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.
Explore the series:
š“šš¦ Ever Thought About Going Bitless?
š“šš¦ Houston Mounted Police Go Bitless
š“šš¦ Have You Ever Considered Riding in a Bosal?
š“šš¦ Do Horses Try to Escape Bit Pressure?
š“šš¦ Why We Support Bitless
š“šš¦ The Horse That Changed Everything
š“šš¦ Do Bits Really Control Horses?
š“šš¦ How Horses Learn Without a Bit
š“šš¦ Choosing the Right Bitless Bridle
š“šš¦ Teaching Your Horse to Go Bitless
š“šš¦ Common Bitless Myths
š Explore the complete Bitless Horse Series:
š“šš¦ Discover Our Natural Rider Bitless Bridles
More than 20 years ago, one horse changed the way we thought about riding. Since then, we've helped thousands of horses and riders explore bitless riding through practical education and carefully designed equipment.
Our Natural Rider Bitless BridlesĀ are designed to promote clear communication and comfort while removing the bit from the horse's mouth. Every purchase also helps support the rescued horses at the Natural Horse NZ Sanctuary, allowing us to continue educating owners while giving horses a second chance.
š Explore our range of Natural Rider Bitless Bridles:
