Bitting Your Horse Blueprint

The Bitting Your Horse Blueprint:
The Step-by-Step process to Bitting Your Horse correctly…
Hi,
Congrats and thanks for downloading the Bitting Your Horse Blueprint.
It is people like you, who take the time to learn more about their horse and how to train them, that gets
me passionate about what I do. So, thank you for caring!
This Blueprint is the EXACT thought process and journey that I travel down each time I assess a horse. It
is the overview of everything you need to consider and learn to bit your horse effectively, so that it is
comfortable, happy and responsive in the bit.
From the exact process you should take, to the extra “must-knows” that will help you avoid unwanted
issues.
It’s the holistic process that has enabled me to get so many horses comfortable and happy in a matter of
days…
For example, the horse White Spot, who was severely uncomfortable in the bit and the setup she was in,
and was performing terribly because of it…
Through this process and in only 3 days of 3, 1-hour assessment and training sessions, I was able to find
a bit that she was completely comfortable in and now responsive to.
(The Full video lesson with White Spot can be found inside the Bitting “Quick Start” Series.)
So, I hope you enjoy this EXACT step-by-step process and that it helps you as much as it helps me every
day.
Best,
Gav
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©2019 GavSays (pty) lmt | GavSays.com
How to Use This Blueprint:
This Blueprint has been divided into 3 sections:
1. The Introduction
This you have already read and which gives you the starting point to the Blueprint.
Some important points to note from that introduction…
✓ Bitting is a Holistic Process that does not only involve finding the right bit. There is a lot more to
consider, and it fits into a much bigger picture of correct training and care, if you want a happy
horse that performs at its best.
✓ Saying that though, your horse will never perform optimally if it is not happy with the bit in its
mouth. No matter how good your training is, you will always be fighting against pain and
discomfort.
✓ By following the right process, you CAN find the right bit for your horse, even if you have tried
all the bit types YOU can think of already.
2. Mindmap
This section gives you a big-picture overview of the thinking behind the blueprint, including central ideas
and related branches of information you need to learn.
Start here by giving yourself a visual understanding of everything you need to consider and learn, to
enable yourself to find the right bit for your horse.
3. Mindmap Written Description

A brief written explanation of the key ideas outlined in the Mindmap to get you started.
This expands on the ideas in the Mindmap and will give you a deeper look at all the things I would take
into consideration, when I go about bitting a horse.
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MindMap
Use this mindmap as a visual overview of what you need to learn and understand, to be able to equip
yourself to get your horse comfortable and happy in the right bit.
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Mindmap Written Description
Here is a brief explanation of the KEY ideas in the Mindmap you need to understand in order to better
bit your horse.
This is the preparation part of the process, and includes some important philosophies and ideas you
need to know and apply when bitting your horse.
Pressure = Resistance. And Resistance = Lack of Control

This is Bomber Nel’s philosophy, and the reason why he looks to distribute pressure as evenly as
possible with all his bit designs.
A horse is naturally an in to pressure animal, so unless you have taught it to “give to the pressure” or
“move away from pressure” you will not be able to train it properly.
Line of Command
You need to learn to ride with strong legs because this is the first line of communication with your horse
– not your hand.
The Process
There is a very definite process to follow when Bitting Your Horse.
1. Training & ensuring the horse is Medically Sound (your checks to do before bitting).
2. Assessing Your Horse: Checking the Body and Head Posture when rein pressure is applied.
3. Learning the Action of the different bits and bitless bridles, to know what bit type to try.
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Physiology
The Physiology of your horse’s mouth plays a huge role in the kind of bit it will be comfortable in. Make
sure you are aware of that physiology and how the bits will affect it.
Bit Must Fit: Both Width & Thickness

The size of the Bit is of great importance so you need to pay attention to measuring the width of your
horse’s mouth – and also ensuring that the bit is not too think or too thin inside the mouth.
Extras to Think About

There are other contributing factors when searching for the right bit.
• All the different material used in bits have a different feel in the mouth because of a difference
in temperature of the material. Be aware of this when assessing your horse.
• Some horses dislike Metal in the mouth and you will either need to go bitless or use alternate
Bitting Material, like the Bomber Blue material which we recommend.
• Your horse’s mouth always needs to be wet when the bridle is on, and so it needs to be
salivating well. This means you need to choose bits that promote salivation (like sweet-iron bits),
and not ones that inhibit it (eg. rubber).
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If you do not do the following checks, you may end up finding the perfect bit for your horse, but not
realize it, as you will still have an issue with your horse’s performance.
Teeth
Have you had your horse’s teeth checked and floated by an equine dentist in the last 6 months? This is
the most important step to have done before you start trying to solve a Bitting Problem.
Be sure to watch the Dental Care & Awareness 101 series for insight into this important step.
Neck & Back

Often horses can be reacting badly because they have pain in either the neck or back. Consulting a
trained physiotherapist can save you a lot of time and effort, because you are then sure you are dealing
with a Bitting issue, and not a negative pain related response.
Saddle
Is your saddle fitted correctly & are you placing it correctly? A badly fitted saddle will often cause the
horse to react undesirably.
For example: if the saddle is too far forward it will inhibit the movement of the horse’s shoulders, which
will often cause the horse to lift its head high to allow the shoulders to shift forward and be able to
move freely. This is often then incorrectly thought to be a Bitting issue.
Feet
Sore feet can also be a cause for the horse to be reacting in adverse ways. Do consult a trained
professional in this regard as well.
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It’s now time to assess your horse to understand what its Jaw Physiology is, and what bit pressures it
prefers and dislikes.
Identify & Understand What the Bit Does That You are
Currently Using
You need to understand the action of that bit, so you know what to expect your horse’s reaction to be.
So, make sure you complete the training in the full Series to understand what all the bits do.
Understand & Assess Your Horse's Jaw Physiology

This gives you great insight into what bit types will be suitable for your horse. Inside the Bitting Your
Horse Quick Start Guide (& Full series) you will find a Horse Assessment Checklist that you should
definitely use.
(An important aspect of this step is to measure your horse’s mouth to know the right bit size for your
horse.)
Observe & Feel Your Horse's Reactions to the Bit

This is an important step. To actually take the time to feel AND watch what your horse is doing when
rein pressure is applied.
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So often we associate a “Bitting Problem” with an issue that is actually related to something else
completely. And most often, it’s simply a Training issue.
Below we discuss some points that will help you distinguish if you first need to address a training
problem before you start looking at the bit.
If you are faced with any of the following go to training first

before looking for the correct bit...
• Is the horse nappy and wanting to go home all the time?
• Is the horse very fresh? And needing a lot of work to get it calm before you start working with
it?
• Does the Horse know how to rate?
• Is the horse reacting in frustration? (Eg. Shaking head, not to rein pressure but in frustration.)
• Is the horse unable to give to pressure on the reins?
• Is it heavy and unresponsive to your leg aids when you ask it to move?
If your answer to the following questions is "YES" then you

face a bitting issue...
• Is your horse calm and receptive to the aids you are giving it?
• Is it responsive to leg aids?
• Does your horse know how to give to bit pressure?
• And does it only react in an adverse way when you apply pressure to the reins?
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The secret to how I am able to get a horse comfortable in the right bit so quickly, is I know all the
mechanics and actions of the bits -- and can therefore quickly match up the right action depending on
my assessment and observations of that horse.
So, learning (or having a quick reference) of all the different actions is of utmost importance.
Action of the Mouth Pieces

In looking for the appropriate bit it is important to know what action the different mouth pieces exert
on your horse and what your horse’s reaction to this pressure will be.
You will always start your search for the right bit by considering what is actually inside the horse’s
mouth, and then you will go to the cheek piece…
Action of the Cheek Pieces

The same goes for each different type of cheek piece.
Combinations
Thirdly, it is important to know what the action of the combination of the different mouth and cheek
pieces will be.
Bits for Addressing Specific Problems

It is important to make yourself aware of why a horse is reacting in undesirable ways so that you have a
starting point to work from. These sensitivities will include the horse’s aversion to one or more of the
following pressures: Tongue, Bar, Poll or Curb.
In extreme cases of sensitivity, you will need to use bits that address these specific problems.
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Bitless Bridles
A bitless bridle is a great option to Bitting Your Horse, if you know how to train your horse with it, and
ride in one.
It is just as important to understand the mechanics though, as some bitless bridles can be severe, and
need to be ridden with the right hands.
Also, unfortunately due to discipline and sporting restrictions, a bitless bridle is not always an option as
you are not allowed to use them in certain sports.
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Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Once you know what bits do what…
And you’re able to assess your horse and understand the signs that it is giving you…
You will be able to quickly decide on what bit type to try and where to go from there.
Always keeping in mind that Bitting and Training a horse is a holistic process, and that you need to
ensure you have ticked all the boxes if you want to have a happy and responsive horse.
Your Next Steps…

If you have not already, I would highly recommend you sign up for my Bitting “Quick Start” Series
training to get you started with understanding Bitting better.
And finding that RIGHT BIT that will make your horse comfortable, happy and responsive.
Best regards,
Gav
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Bitting Your Horse Blueprint

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The Bitting Your Horse Blueprint:

The Step-by-Step process to Bitting Your Horse correctly…

Some important points to note from that introduction…

3. Mindmap Written Description

Pressure = Resistance. And Resistance = Lack of Control

Bit Must Fit: Both Width & Thickness

Extras to Think About

Neck & Back

Understand & Assess Your Horse's Jaw Physiology

Observe & Feel Your Horse's Reactions to the Bit

If you are faced with any of the following go to training first

If your answer to the following questions is "YES" then you

Action of the Mouth Pieces

Action of the Cheek Pieces

Bits for Addressing Specific Problems

Your Next Steps…

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