MYLER BITS

I have been getting a lot of questions about Myler Bits and which one suits which Horse.

It seems obvious to me that no one should buy a Bit for a Horse unless they first try it and allow the Horse to tell them if it is received with acceptance. Something that has never happened in the Industry to date.

The problem with that is this: If the Mouth of the Horse is lacking integrity, it matters not which Bit you put in it because it there will be resistance shown regardless. Therefore, the only way to assess Bits, in the Mouth of a Horse is to first be dealing with a Starter/Breaker with the perfect Mouth to start with or have re-educated the Mouth, as I do with all anyhow.

Given the fact that every Horse is different and every Mouth would have subtle differences, buying Bits off shelves seems to me to be a lottery and you can Bank on the fact that Sales Staff know nothing about Bits. Man act like experts but can not be and are not.

WHAT BITS DO I USE?

As you know, I have been researching Bits for a long time now as I need to know about these things being a 'Problem Horse' Trainer.

For General Riding/training I use the Stainless Steel MB01 or MB02 Loose Ring Snaffle (WITH ONE OF MY CHIN STRAPS!!!!!!)

For Breaking in Horses I use initially  B,C,H,J, or I Full Cheek Snaffles.

I do not use Ported Bits.

BITS AROUND THE WORLD

You would be aware that there are tens of thousands of Bits hanging in the Saddle Shops and Tack Rooms of Horse Owners around the World. They were all designed to over come a TRAINING PROBLEM, they were never designed to over come a MOUTH CONFORMATION PROBLEM

The Jointed Snaffle eventually found it's way to the top and most people use them. (The best of a bad bunch) I have always done so too but hopefully the Horse World moves on and learns by it's mistakes and above all, thinks on behalf of Horses. Something that has never happened in the past.

THE GENERATIONS

Bit fashion changes with the Generations and even the District we live in. Everyone does what ever everyone else does in that District and these days, everyone changes Bits as the Internet Forum or Chat Room starts to recommend them. That doesn't make any of them right for I would submit that the studies have never been made and that it is all gossip

Here below, out of my Shed and purchased in a bag of things from an Auction, depicts the fashion of the day of the last generation. The 'Era of the Big Fat Bits" Big and Fat was beautiful and definitely in. The 'Flavor of the Month' Why?......because the fatter they were the more kind they were.   I have even read a left over sprinkling on Forums in the last 5 years, saying that 'Thicker was better" (I note this has now run out of steam) The problem is Folks that there wasn't enough room in their small mouth cavity for these massive 'Gob Stoppers' So there is your proof that Bit selection has always operated on the system of Gossip and hearsay.

Open your Mouth now and try this one for size Hey, it has a nice big roller ball so it has to be good.

These days, it is the era of the thinner Bits and I was one of those that led the charge on this. Finally, Horse Trainers were allowed to have a say due to the Internet. We get our information from Horses Folks, the only acknowledged expert on Bits on the Planet.

JOINTED SNAFFLE

Imho, the jointed snaffle has had it's day and HORSES DO NOT LIKE THEM. They do not like them but mostly put up with them because of the inherent forgiveness in the Horse. They have a Nut cracker effect whereby when you pull on the reins the centre jointed part rises upwards towards the roof of the Mouth and obviously can hurt them. They also squeeze to be more narrow and pinch the bottom bars of the Mouth. Both of these actions of course would depend upon Mouth design and because no Mouth will be the same, how can they be right? In fact, how can anything be right........ to date?

ICE CREAM

For many years, I have been hearing Dressage Coaches and Judges declaring loudly that the more foam around the Mouth of a Horse, the softer they are and the better they are working. Ok......where's the Scientific proof of that assertion been all these years?????? I have always thought the opposite.

Recently, Myler Bits took part in just some research in conjunction with the Dutch Federation, showing that the excessive presence of foam shows the Horse is in fact choking.

THE F.E.I.

Whilst I am on this article, I must comment on my observations regarding the Double Bridle or 'Bit and Bradoon' as required by the Rules for Dressage at various levels above Prix St. Georges and other grades even lower in Australia. I spend a lot of time at the Dressage, listening to their Horses and wishing the Owners were.

Read my Lips. Many of the Worlds Dressage Horses are choking in the Double Bridle. How do I know? Because I watch these things when at the Dressage whilst others are looking for engagement :) I also know for certain because selective F.E.I. Horses have told me so. They have been having clenched Teeth, not wanting to open their Mouths and  having sour faces when presented to the Double Bridle but when I experimented with them by putting the Myler Bit on, within two days they were opening their Mouths as if at the Dentist. In fact, I saw one here in Holland yesterday. What a shame people can't "Listen to their Horses"

Now I don't know and haven't got the time to research the answer but I suspect that the Double Bridle bitting system must have been invented in the 'Dark Ages' and probably by the Military as most things archaic these days are left over from the Military. Racing and Pony Club being two of them.

If that was so, I would submit that it is high time the World moved on and would like to take this opportunity o strongly question the logic of the system and Rules. There are a few obvious problems that I see regularly.

• In Australia, if the bottom rein of a Double Bridle is touched and the shank is seen to go towards parallel to the ground, Dressage Judges basically get out the 'Tar and Feathers' and start leaping for the deductions.
   
• As I write this article, I am in Holland and rubbing shoulders with some of the Worlds best Dressage Riders. I have been watching them very closely. I am seeing the joint and complete contact together of the bottom and snaffle reins. So immediately, on opposite sides of the World, there is total disagreement within the same Organization. (yes I know we take 10 years to catch on :)
   
• Anatomically, no two Mouths can be the same. That means there are thousands of computations of designs. True? There are narrow Mouths, low Palette Mouths, smaller tongue, fatter tongue and God knows what else. So therefore, it is mathematically impossible to fit the mouths of every Horse, based on the unarguable fact that for the sake of argument there are 100 different Mouth designs and sizes and 5 Bit options.

So you don't have to be Einstein to work out that it is simply impossible for 5 Bits to fit 100 different Mouths. So this is obviously why I am meeting F.E.I. Horses regularly, that hate their Bits, that are stressed by them and are choking on them. So let's forget the Horse for just one moment and think about the overall fairness of the Sport of Dressage. I also submit that regardless of Bit options or Mouth design, the Double Bridle Bits as dictated by the F.E.I. are too fat, bulky and unfair on Horses.

If the Lottery of Bits finds one Horse that is reasonably accepting of a Bit combination and another doesn't, one combination is going to be marked down and get beaten, no matter how good they are, purely because of Bit design and failed F.E.I. Rules. How fair is that Folks? Therefore, the Sport of Dressage is founded on an unfair system that gives some unfair advantage over the others. Yet the loser is spending as many Thousand of $$$ in the Saddle Shops as the winner.

In my opinion, the F.E.I. have got it dead wrong. They too have never listened to their Horses or even given them an opinion. No research and very limited options re size or thickness. Recently, thanks to Myler, some of their snaffles were approved and a Scientific based study carried out in Holland.

THE OLYMPIC LEVEL IN A SNAFFLE

As I told you, in Australia, they are already riding the Olympic level in a snaffle as you aren't allowed to touch the bottom rein So why not go the 'full monty' for Horses. Make it optional then. Let the cards fall where they may......for the potential good of Horses???? Who could argue against that?????

So why is it that we need two lumps of steel in the Mouth of a Horse to do simple Dressage movements? That is just an admission of incompetence imho for there is not a movement that can't be done without any Bit so why don't the F.E.I. ditch the double and allow the snaffle to be used right through the classes to Grand Prix. Who cares what happens. Let the Judges and the scores dictate it. Give me a valid reason?? Racing can't give me one that you need to flog a Horse to the line and the harder they try the more strongly the whip is used!

MYLER BIT ENGINEERING

There is no point listening to Humans about Bits because the Horse Industry has never been progressive thinking enough to actually conduct the Research. If the F.E.I. won't, who will? As I said, there is only one expert on Bits at this time and that is the Horse.

Why can't the Scientists get down from their podiums, go to the Laboratories and put some new age camera in the Mouth of some Horses and actually get some definitive information????? To start with, mini Cameras in the Mouth during Riding would be a good start!!!....and sound

Luckily for me, I have finally reached a stage in my career where Horses can actually talk to me and tell me what they prefer. I can only pass that onto you here. I have tested probably 100 Problem Horses of all types during the last year and they have told me the following:

• That none have objected any more than any other Bit.
• That the majority have told me that they prefer the Myler.
• That certain 'tense' Dressage Horses that were rushing and pulling, completely turned around and relaxed.
• That the Full Cheek Snaffles I have used were more effective than the FM Bit that I was using.
• That a Double Bridled Horse stopped clenching the teeth shut and took the look of distain off it's face.

So why would this be so? Well I think perhaps that the engineering that allows a Horse more options to position a Bit in their Mouth and to gain relief from the 'Nut Cracker Effect', can't be all bad and perhaps worth a go. That is why I did and that is only why I did. You see, I have a completely independent mind. I don't listen to Humans, only to Horses.

TEETH

It is pointless thinking about Bits if the Teeth of your Horse are not regularly attended to and PROPERLY attended to. People who do not check the Teeth of their Horse half yearly are certainly not good Horse Owners and maybe Cruel Owners. The minimum time lapse for Dental Care is 12 months.

Here is the first Horse we encountered in Holland. He has been doing this for 7 years and with countless Trainers and Coaches.

Attempting to communicate to Humans. The Dentist wouldn't do it, too involved. The Vet wouldn't without a General and good on him. Great Vet.

I checked his Teeth immediately. Here they are.

I can assure you that Teeth are not high on the agenda here in Holland. Go figure the Double Bridle Cruelty involved there then?

ACCREDITED BIT FITTERS

Who wants' a new career in Horses? There is room for an accredited Bit Fitter in every Region of the World. Instant standalone income. Bank on it.....but who is going to teach you? The F.E.I, the Equestrian Australia? Sorry Folks, they are not progressive enough. You go contact Myler Bits, the University establishments of this World and commence the courses. Then and only then will Horses have half a chance at a reasonably existence whilst 'bitted up' Millions of Horses around the Planet are screaming out for it right now and no one listens :(

FINALLY SOME THOUGHT

RANGE OF BITS

I have been getting many questions re size etc.

So I contacted Zilco International, the Australian Agents and here is what they say. Something that most wouldn't know of course. This is obviously the Policy World Wide.

Hi John,

Thanks for your email.

I thought you where aware of the Myler Rental Bit program...but obviously not! Anyway, it is a condition
of our stockist agreement that ALL Myler dealers offer a rental bit program for end users to try before they buy.
The rental is for a minimum of 3 days and usually a maximum of 10 to 14 days. How the stores deal with this is up
to them but most charge a daily fee that is deducted of the price of the bit if they end up purchasing that bit, others
charge the full price of the bit and will refund within a certain period if the bit isn't the right one. We have run a series
of ads in Horse Deals about the Rental program as well.

So here are the Australian Outlets.

Myler Bits available from Myler Stockists throughout Australia

AUSTRALIA - ACT

Saddleworld Canberra       Phillip           (02) 6282 3119      info@saddleworldcanberra.com.au

AUSTRALIA - NSW

Saddleworld  Albury                   Albury                   (02) 6021 2133           alburysaddleworld@bigpond.com.au

Saddleworld Brighton        Kensington    1800 662 758         tony@saddlery.com.au

Everything Equine             Tamworth     (02) 6762 3300      everythingequinetam@bigpond.com

Saddleworld Hiscock’s       Tamworth     (02) 6766 2187      tamworth@marshcarneysaddleworld.com

Horseland Dural                Dural            (02) 9651 4300      dural@horseland.net.au

Horseland Richmond         Richmond     (02 4578 2477        richmond@horseland.net.au

Horseland Terry Hills         Terry Hills     (02) 9986 1800      terreyhills@horseland.net.au

Saddleworld Marsh Carney Scone           (02) 6545 1599      scone@marshcarneysaddleworld.com

Saddleworld Dubbo           Dubbo                   (02) 6882 6441      dubbo@marshcarneysaddleworld.com

Saddleworld Nowra           Nowra           (02) 4421 3366      nowrasaddleworld@shoal.net.au

Saddleworld Village Court  Dural            (02)-9651 2337      vcsaddleworld@aol.com

Saddleworld Wyong          Tuggerah      (02) 4353 1922      wyong@trailrace.com.au

PZ Products                      Narrabri        0419 704 393         equinedentistry@bigpond.com

Saddleworld Wagga          Wagga          (02) 6921 4077      saddleworldwagga@bigpond.com

AUSTRALIA - TAS

Saddleworld Rowland Park Moonah        (03) 6228 6144      saddlery@ozemail.com.au      

AUSTRALIA - QLD

Aitken Saddlery                Loganholme  (07) 3209 7506      aitjan@bigpond.net.au

Saddleworld Edwards        Toowoomba (07) 4633 1111      edwards.saddleworld@icr.com.au

Horseman’s Trading Post   Rochedale     (07) 3341 5220      info@horsemanstradingpost.com.au

Saddleworld Nerang                   Nerang         (07) 5578 1822      saddlery@hotkey.net.au

Saddlery 1                       Warwick       (07)-4661 9444      sales@saddlery1.com.au

Horse & Rider                   Nambour      (07) 5441 4445      info@horseandridersaddlery.com.au

AUSTRALIA - VIC

Saddleworld Bruce Smith   Cranbourne   (03) 5996 7866      smithsaddler@bigpond.com

Saddleworld Lowdens        Kilmore        (03) 5782 1711      mail@lowdens.com.au

Melton Saddlery                Melton                   (03) 9747 0038      meltonsaddlery@hotkey.net.au

Saddleworld Saddle-Up     Chirnside      1800 247 737         horses@saddleup.com.au

Saddleworld Geelong        Geelong        03-5222 1232         saddleworldgeelong@eftel.net.au

AUSTRALIA - WA

Albany Horseworld           Albany                   (08) 9842 255        sales@horseworld.biz/jo@westnet.com.au

Europa Saddlery               Albany                   (08) 9841 7883      ebondale@tsn.cc

Saddleworld Europa          Midland        (08) 9274 6322      sales@europasaddlery.com

Saddles Plus                     Byford          (08) 9526 2292      saddlesplus@iinet.net.au

Saddleworld Maddington   Maddington   (08) 9493 1108      info@saddleworldmaddington.com.au

Stable Affairs                    Pinjarra        (08) 9531 1844      stableaffairs@aol.com

AUSTRALIA - SA

Saddleworld Bonnetts        Stepney        1800 621 843         bonnetts@bonnetts.com.au

Saddleworld Tack Room    Mt Gambier   (08) 8725 2535      thetackroom@bigpond.com

Horse and Rider in Nambour

 So there you go. You know who to ring and where to get your Bits from.

THE CHIN STRAP

The reason I use a chin strap with 'snaffle bits' is this:

During any lateral work and especially where a Horse is showing resistance to one or other of the turning reins, the snaffle Bits tend to slide sideways through the Mouth and often even, into the Mouth. This often causes rubbing of the outside f the corners of the Mouth as the ring of the snaffle turns sideways and pinches straight on the lips.

Also,

the simple sliding of the Bit, sideways and often into or through the Mouth, diminishes the quality of the 'Lateral Mouth' as it gives the Horse a real time snap shot of possible and successful evasion and any small amount of this will see them exploit the Bit. Obviously, safety in terms of stopping Horses from bucking etc is also a factor here. http://www.horseproblems.com.au/Saddlery%20Sales%20Page/chin_strap.htm

*Disclaimer: My wife is sponsored by Myler Bits to the tune of half a dozen free Bits a year :