Some of these mouthpieces collapse (like the 41PB, 27PB) a ported bit that collapses is called a correctional. Some of the mouthpieces are solid (like the 06, 36, 43LP)-these are considered curb bits, which means they don’t use the tongue as a primary pressure but use the bar, lip, poll and chin (if there’s a curb chain or strap). The port gives the tongue room to move, offering increased tongue relief. When you look at the examples of the Level 2-3 mouthpiece, you will notice that all of these mouthpieces have ports. If you are considering a Level 1 mouthpiece, we would strongly recommend moving up to a Level 2, specifically the MB 04. Tongue pressure is useful when introducing a horse to the concept of yielding to pressure, but once he has learned this, the Level 1 mouthpiece doesn’t offer much benefit compared to the other Levels. To view all dressage legal bits (of all levels) click HERE.īecause the Level 1 mouthpieces apply the maximum amount of tongue pressure out of all the Levels and offer the least amount of tongue relief, we rarely recommend them. These mouthpieces are also made for disciplines with rules regulating the type of mouthpiece you can use – often found in dressage. The bit collapses in a “U” shape, allowing the tongue more room to sit comfortably and reducing the amount of tongue pressure applied compared to a single jointed snaffle. These bits have a middle barrel that prevents the bit from collapsing in a “V” shape, eliminating the nutcracker effect. Level 1 bits were traditionally recommended for horses being started under saddle, are very green, or challenging. Below we will start to break down the different levels and the types of horses that usually fit these Level profiles. The Leveling System was created in an effort to produce the most effective and positive communication, no matter what experience level your horse is. A bit can only do two things, create interference or promote relaxation. Bits will not always fix a horse that is determined to be difficult, but they will give you the best chance in communicating with him in a positive manner. Some take more time, some require a soft hand, and some can be downright difficult. Basic training principles may apply, but you can’t work every horse the same from start to finish. No two horses are mentally or physically identical. We begin to feel like our horse is working against us or is starting to have an attitude under saddle. Some horses seem to “start” off with this mentality. When your obedient, responsive horse becomes unresponsive, irritable, and resists your cues after an extended period of time, remember the analogy above. Now picture that same instructor riding with you on your daily commute. The instructor gave you frequent commands and corrections, which was extremely helpful and taught you how to safely travel the roads. Think back to your first Driver’s Ed class. What we often fail to realize is that the more educated our horse is, the less contact, pressure, and guidance they need (and want). As the horse’s understanding of giving to pressure grows, we start to ask for more advanced maneuvers, building off of the initial foundation of giving to pressure. The first bit we use will apply pressure to the tongue and we look for a positive reaction called “giving to the bit” or flexing at the poll and softening the mouth. When we start any horse, the first thing we work on is teaching them to give to pressure. When you start working with a horse, whether it’s newly started, green broke, or a seasoned competitor – this approach applies to each one equally. ![]() ![]() Our goal is to give him as much tongue relief as he can mentally handle and respect under saddle. In Understanding Bit Resistance, we explained that the primary source of bit resistance is excessive tongue pressure – most commonly from a single jointed or double jointed mouthpiece (ex. ![]() In this blog, we will discuss the Myler Bit Levels, what their intended use is for, and how this relates to your horse. ![]() We started the series off with Understanding Bit Resistance. Welcome to Part II of the Myler Bit series dedicated to helping you make a better bit choice for your horse.
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