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Bits for a sensitive bars
Should I choose tongue relief or bar relief?
The horse's tongue contains a dozen muscles and can be very pressure-sensitive. The tongue is also placed higher than the bars, which causes it to take more pressure than the bars. The bars are the space on both sides of the tongue, between the incisor teeth and molars. The shape of the bars is different from horse to horse; some horses have higher and sharper bars than others.
The tongue is a muscle, while the bars are a bone with a layer of skin, the tongue can withstand more pressure than the bars. But some horses are more sensitive to tongue pressure, and it's common for horses to like a bit with tongue relief.
How do I know if my horse has a sensitive tongue or sensitive bars?
Common signs of sensitive bars:
Your horse can throw its head up when you take the reins
Your horse can chew hard on the bit
Your horse put its tongue out on the side of the mouth
Your horse can overreact when you take the reins
Common signs of a sensitive tongue:
Your horse can pull the reins down/forward
Your horse can open its mouth
Your horse plays with the tongue, and/or puts the tongue over/behind the bit
Your horse can be on and off in the contact
Even if your horse is more sensitive to tongue pressure, it's still essential to have a bit with bar relief to vary between to ensure the bars don't get too much pressure. It's also important to make sure that the port of the bit is suitable for the shape of your horse's mouth, as horses with a bigger tongue can have a bigger port than horses with a smaller tongue.
Different types of bits with bar relief
We have different types of bits with bar relief, as all horses have different mouth shapes, and the rider may want different feelings from the bits. Here are some of our favorite bits for horses with sensitive bars. The most important thing to consider when protecting the bars is choosing the right size. A bit that is too wide will slide from side to side, risking the joints to damage the bars.
Bits with a straight shape
All the bits with a straight design (no port/tongue relief) and smooth joints or laying joints are good for horses with sensitive bars. We recommend smooth joints or laying joints because if the bit slides to one side, the joints won't hurt the bars as easily.
Bits without a tongue relief/port will automatically protect the bars, as the tongue is placed higher than the bars and will take the most pressure.
For a horse with a narrow mouth that is short between the bars, a single-jointed option can be better to ensure that the joints on the bit don't pinch the skin on the bars when it moves from side to side. For horses with a normal-sized mouth, a double-jointed bit in the correct size usually works well. Combine these mouthpieces with the baucher sidepieces to make the bit even more gentle to the bars!
Bits with bar relief
If your horse has issues with injuries, bumps or scars on the bars, you may have to choose a bit with maximum bar relief. We have one model that can be turned upside down to generate bar relief, without giving a too sharp pressure on the tongue.
Gustav Sweet iron / Greta Titanium
These bits are constructed with a 100% super smooth surface, even around the joints. Thanks to the smooth joints and small bend, these bits can be turned upside down. The bend points downwards, against the tongue, lifting the bit up from the bars. This is a good solution for maximum bar relief.
Bits with Fager's special lockup function
These bits have a special lockup function. The mouthpiece of Michael and Mia creates bar relief and locks upwards, which makes it a great bit for horses with a low palate and sensitive bars.
The joints are rotated away from the bars. This can be good for horses that can overreact when you take the reins and need to protect the bars.
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