“Pressure Creates Resistance, and Resistance creates a Lack of Control.” Bomber Nel

In all aspects of training and riding, a horse-first approach must be the foundation—one that actively minimizes the physical and psychological pressures placed on the horse. We must strive to understand the types of pressure individual horses respond to most comfortably, and select bits that apply these pressures appropriately. Pressure should always be applied at the lowest effective level, ensuring safety and control without compromising the horse’s comfort or willingness.

This approach fosters a responsive and engaged partnership, allowing schooling sessions to be both productive and educational. By prioritizing clear communication and low-pressure environments, we create the conditions for horses to learn and perform with confidence and trust.

Mouthpieces:

As the name suggests the mouthpiece is the part of the bit that sits inside the horse's mouth. The mouthpiece acts on the internal structures of the mouth, such as the bars and the tongue, and some external ones, such as pinch pressure on the lips.

Exactly which part of the mouth they act on will depend on their design and which types of pressure they exert. All mouthpieces will have some form of bar pressure, however mild.

The comfort of the mouthpiece for the individual horse is the cornerstone of our bitting philosophy. It is a rider's responsibility to understand how various mouthpieces operate, and try and understand what types of pressure their horse prefers.

Cheekpieces:

The cheekpiece is the part of the bit that lies outside of the horse's mouth and connects the bits to both the reins and the bridle. The cheekpiece design can exert several types of pressure, including poll pressure, curb and cheek pressure. 

The design of the cheekpiece will dictate what types of pressure it exerts. All cheekpieces will have some form of cheek pressure, however mild.

Similar to mouthpieces, cheekpieces must be carefully selected with regard to the pressures they exert and the preferences of the horse and needs of the rider.  

Bar Pressure:

Bar pressure in horses refers to the contact made by the bit on the bars of the mouth—soft tissue areas between the front incisors and back molars, also known as also known as the interdental space. All bits with a mouthpiece act on the bars to some extent, and excessive or uneven pressure can lead to discomfort, resistance, and long-term sensitivity or desensitisation. Choosing a design with an appropriate level of bar pressure for the individual horse will  maintain the horse’s comfort and reduce resistance to the aids.

Tongue Pressure:

Tongue pressure refers to the force applied by the bit directly onto the tongue—an obvious and sensitive structure that plays a key role in how a horse responds to contact. The level of pressure depends on the bit's design, mouthpiece shape, and how it sits in the horse’s mouth. Some bits, such as dressage ellipticals, distribute it more evenly and others such as control plates can apply it intentionally and specifically for control. Many horses find tongue pressure quite useful and for them it forms an important component of rein contact. Others dislike it and will benefit from tongue relief designs. Understanding where an individual horse sits on this spectrum is a fundamental element of bit assessment. Of course excessive tongue pressure can cause discomfort, resistance, or changes in behavior, making it important for owners to understand this pressure and how their individual horse reacts to it.

Tongue Relief:

There are several bit designs intended to offer relief from tongue pressure. They achieve this through various design features like ports (a gap or channel in the mouthpiece), curves, or specific angles that allow the tongue to move with less pinching or squeezing. Many horses appreciate tongue relief and frequently show improved comfort and responsiveness in a tongue relief bit, contributing to a more harmonious and productive schooling environment. By removing a common source of discomfort, tongue relief designs can help eliminate evasive behaviors, leading to more consistent, sustainable progress in training.
Bombers offer exceptional tongue relief, making the brand an excellent choice for any horse that likes tongue relief.

Pinch Pressure (Nutcracker:)

Pinch pressure, commonly referred to as the nutcracker action, occurs primarily (but not exclusively) in single-jointed bits. Rein pressure causes the mouthpiece to collapse inward, creating a pinching effect on the tongue and bars, and potentially jabbing the joint into the tongue and / or the roof of the mouth.The origins of this type of snaffle lie in the double bridle,  where nutcracker action was employed to raise the head, whilst the curb was used to lower it. In expert hands this balance of pressure can lead to exceptional results, but many simple snaffle designs can result in significant levels of pinch pressure.

Pinch Relief:

Many contemporary designs offer varying levels of pinch pressure relief. They do this by utilising various design features, such as locking joints, anatomical shaping, multiple (locking) joints and solid mouthpieces to reduce the nutcracker action, reduce pressure and promote a more comfortable, responsive connection. In a similar way to tongue pressure, each individual horse will have preferences for how much if any pinch pressure they find helpful, and understanding these preferences is the cornerstone to successful bitting.

Cheek Pressure:

Cheek pressure refers to the lateral guidance provided by certain bit designs—such as full-cheek snaffles, D-rings, or bits with fixed cheekpieces—that press against the opposite side of the horse’s face when rein tension is applied. This pressure helps reinforce turning aids by encouraging the horse to move away from the contact. In horses comfortable with cheek pressure, it can help improve steering and responsiveness, especially in younger horses or those lacking schooling. It offers clear directional cues without relying solely on bar or tongue pressure. Correct sizing is particularly important in relation to cheek pressure, as well as balanced rein use.

Nose Pressure (Hackamores:)

Nose pressure refers to the application of force on the horse’s nasal bridge to influence movement and control. Employed in hackamores—especially mechanical types— and bitless bridles, rein aids will cause the noseband to press down or tighten, (and hackamores also use leverage) without engaging the mouth. Combination bits also incorporate nose pressure with a conventional bit as part of a multi-point control system. Because the nasal bone is sensitive and unprotected by muscle, correct placement is essential and excessive pressure can easily be applied which will cause discomfort or even injury. As with all categories of bit the horse's preferences should be the priority, and a minimum pressure approach taken. Bitless is by no means mild and care should be taken when selecting nose pressure

Poll Pressure:

Poll pressure, employed by bits with shanks and hackamores, is the downward force applied to the poll, typically generated through leverage action. In curb bits, gag bits, and mechanical hackamores, rein tension causes the headpiece of the bridle to press into the poll as the shanks rotate, encouraging the horse to lower its head and yield at the poll. This pressure can promote collection, balance, and responsiveness when used correctly. However, because the poll is a sensitive area connected to key muscles and nerves, excessive or poorly distributed pressure will cause discomfort and resistance. This type of pressure can be severe, and is often used incorrectly to apply physical force to solve ridden issues. Some bridle designs can also relieve pressure at the poll. 

Poll Relief:

Poll relief designs involve minimising pressure on the horse’s poll—the sensitive area just behind the ears—through features such as neutral cheekpieces, shorter shanks, or ergonomically padded crownpieces. This design approach supports a neutral postion and can encourage a more relaxed, natural head carriage in horses that are sensitive or reactive to poll pressure. There are several cheekpiece designs intended to reduce poll pressure, including hanging cheeks, and the DC morgan and DC dressage. 

Curb Pressure:

Curb pressure is the force exerted on the horse’s chin groove through a curb chain or strap, activated by the rotation of the shanks in leverage bits or mechanical hackamores. This pressure works in conjunction with poll and mouth pressure to influence the horse’s head position, flexion, and overall responsiveness to rein aids. The degree of curb pressure is affected by the length and angle of the shanks and the tightness of the curb strap. Almost always used in conjunction with poll pressure, this type of pressure can similarly be severe, and is often used incorrectly to apply physical force to ridden issues.