| There are two ways to write about the horse-human | | | | and pull! Harder! Now you have the idea. |
| relationship; from the person's perspective, or from the | | | | Shanked bits have a proper place and are required |
| horse's. Most of my writing is from the horse's | | | | equipment for many types of competition. All show |
| point-of-view. Hey, someone has to speak up for | | | | horses over five years of age are usually required to |
| them. Let's look at bits, not straight from the horse's | | | | be shown in a shanked bit. Why? It demonstrates the |
| mouth, but as close as we can get. | | | | high level of accomplishment the horse and rider team |
| Most of you know that there are two basic types of | | | | has attained. Shanked bits are only properly used by |
| bits, snaffle and shanked. Shank bits are also referred | | | | expert reinsman. If you don't qualify, please don't come |
| to as curb bits, referring to the curb strap or chain that | | | | at your horse with that thing! Remember, your horse |
| goes under the horse's chin. It is a common | | | | trusts you. |
| occurrence for successful trainers to refer to bits | | | | The last reason in the world to pull out a shanked bit is |
| inaccurately. Is it a big deal? Maybe not, but why not | | | | because your horse isn't responding as you want. Just |
| have the facts? If you want to learn a lot about bits | | | | last Saturday at a mounted shooting event a horse |
| themselves, visit Wikipedia, there is a great entry on | | | | crossed the finish line at a dead run, guns having been |
| bits. | | | | fired, and didn't pull up to a quick, tidy stop. It was |
| One important fact to know if you are serious about | | | | obvious the horse was insecure and could not process |
| being the horse owner you want to be, is the | | | | all that was happening as fast as the rider wanted. |
| difference between how a snaffle bit and a shanked | | | | Yet, the cry went out, "Get a bigger bit!" No! If possible, |
| bit work. The difference is based on a principle of | | | | the horse would have begged for understanding and |
| physics. You may remember from high school physics | | | | mercy. The horse would say, "Help me to understand." |
| that the longer the lever, the greater the pressure. This | | | | A snaffle bit provides the best opportunity to |
| same principle explains why you can shove a 2x4 | | | | communicate with your horse. If you and your horse |
| under a big heavy rock and move it when you couldn't | | | | have not yet achieved the level of performance you |
| lift it unassisted. | | | | desire, I can assure you that 99.9% of the time the |
| The longer the shank, the greater the pressure - the | | | | fault is yours. Give your horse a break. Hang the big bit |
| pain - you inflict on your horse's tongue, bars, lips and | | | | up until you have the necessary skills to teach your |
| chin. Why would anyone who loves his or her horse | | | | horse. Always give your horse the benefit of your |
| pick a shanked bit over a snaffle? At least with a | | | | doubt. |
| snaffle you can accurately gauge how much pressure | | | | Pain teaches your horse to escape, it does not build a |
| you are applying; each pound of force on the rein is | | | | foundation for respect, affection and relationship. Love |
| one pound of force on your horse's tender mouth. Go | | | | your horse, stick with a snaffle bit until YOU are ready |
| ahead, grab the corner of your mouth with a finger | | | | to move up. |