Recognising a horse’s preferred bit pressures

Finding the right bit is about listening to the horse. The goal is to discover the type and amount of pressure an individual horse finds understandable and comfortable, starting with the most forgiving options and making small, thoughtful adjustments based on clear responses.


Core concepts of bit pressure

  • Pressure types: Bits primarily apply pressure to the tongue, bars, lips/cheeks and via the poll through leverage. Different mouthpieces and cheekpieces combine to distribute these forces.

  • Relief vs. clarity: Many horses thrive on minimal, even pressure; and others prefer clearer, well-defined signals. 

  • Fit and mouth conformation: Tongue thickness, palate height, bar shape and sensitivity, lip and cheek thickness all shape what a horse can comfortably tolerate. Poor fit will mask any fair evaluation.

  • Hands matter: Even the kindest bit feels harsh in inconsistent hands, be honest with yourself when appraising this element


Step‑by‑step method: Start soft, evaluate, adjust

1) Prepare for a fair test

Before you start: Teeth up to date, saddle checked and mouth checked for injuries or unusual conformation, all by relevant professionals.


2) Begin with maximum relief

  • Choose a simple bit:

    • Mouthpiece

      • Smooth happy tongue, moderate thickness, no edges.

    • Cheekpiece

      • Eggbutt to reduce contact inconsistency a little.

    • Noseband

      • Adjust loosely enough to allow normal jaw movement; do not mask feedback.

3) Collect initial data (10–15 minutes)

  • Basic transitions:

    • Contact

      • Does the horse seek the hand or back away? Is the feel elastic or brittle?

    • Steering

      • Are turns smooth without lip pinching or head tilt?

    • Longitudinal flexion

      • Can you ask for a soft, brief inside flexion without resistance?

  • Release test:

    • : Recovery

      • After each cue, does the horse quickly return to neutral without fussing?

4) Adjust one variable at a time

  • If the horse is tense or evasive:

    • More relief

      • Try a softer mouthpiece, or non metal

      • More stability, from bridle and cheekpieces. Ensure bit is at the correct position on the bars.

      • Eggbutt or D‑ring to reduce ring movement if lips are irritated.

  • If the horse is dull or “behind the hand”:

    • More definition

      • A single‑joint (bar emphasis) or a double‑joint with a smaller lozenge can clarify signals.

    • Poll relief

      • A Baucher cheekpiece (poll relief without curb) can improve consistency, but re‑check poll sensitivity.

  • If steering is imprecise but horse is relaxed:

    • Lateral clarity

      • Consider a ball and socket jointed bit rather than links, and also consider a D‑ring or full cheek for clearer lateral cues; keep mouthpiece gentle.

5) Re‑test the same exercises

  • Consistent protocol: Change only one element (mouthpiece or cheek) per session and re‑run the same sequence.

  • Thresholds: Stop if you see escalating tension; revert to the last comfortable setup.

6) Confirm over varied work

  • Gaits and figures: Test at walk, trot, canter; add serpentines and transitions.

  • Pressure checks: Ensure cues are understood at light rein; heavier contact should not be required.


Reading the horse’s responses

Positive indicators

  • Seeking hand: Quietly reaches into the contact without diving or curling.

  • Even foam: Light saliva at lips, no drool strings or dryness extremes.

  • Symmetry: Straight, level poll; bends without tilting.

  • Breath and back: Regular breathing, swinging back, stepping through.

Negative indicators (pressure mismatch)

  • Head/tongue evasions: Gaping, crossing jaw, tongue protruding, excessive chewing, grabbing the bit.

  • Poll and neck tension: Fixed poll, rigid underside of neck, quick shortening of stride.

  • Inconsistent contact: Snatching, dropping the bit, or leaning heavily.

  • Uneven bend: Persistent head tilt, shoulder drifting, or bracing on one rein.


Putting it together: decision flow

  1. Start gentle: Smooth minimum pressure bit, eggbutt cheekpiece, stable but not tight noseband.

  2. If tongue retracts or contact is brittle:

    • Label: Reduce tongue pressure

      • Stay with tongue relief mouthpieces; stabilise cheekpiece.

  3. If horse is dull or leans:

    • Increase clarity

      • Try small lozenges or even single‑joint; avoid poll action yet.

  4. If lips pinch or horse tilts:

    • Change cheeks

      • Eggbutt/D‑ring or full cheek for lateral guidance without leverage.

  5. If asymmetry persists:

    • Rule out body causes

      • Check saddle fit, straightness, and dental issues before further bit changes.


Practical tips for clean evaluations

  • Session length: Keep tests short; end on the first good response.

  • One change at a time: Mouthpiece or cheekpiece—never both.

  • Record responses:

    • Note

      • Bit model/size, noseband fit, exercises used, specific signs (+/−).

  • Fit checks:

    • Width and height

      • 5mm clearance at lips, maybe a little more for loose ring, the wrinkles at the corner of the mouth based on where the corner of the mouth is in relation to the bars, centered in the mouth.

  • Consistency: Ride with the same contact quality across tests; variability hides true preferences.


When to pause and reassess

  • Persistent tongue retraction despite relief changes.

  • Escalating poll or back tension with minimal rein pressure.

  • Asymmetry that doesn’t change with equipment adjustments.

These suggest a physical or training root cause; involve an equine dentist, vet, saddle fitter, and a coach to address whole‑horse comfort and education.




Special mention:Tongue retraction: recognition and tension patterns

  • What it is: The horse pulls the tongue back away from the bit, often tensing the hyoid and floor of mouth, which can cascade into poll, cervical, thoracic, and topline tension.

  • How to recognise it:

    • Visual signs

      • Momentary disappearance of the tongue edge at the lips, then reappearance; intermittent gaping without protrusion; a “swallowing” look under the jaw.

    • Feel in hand

      • Sudden drop in contact or a tight, brittle feel despite light rein.

    • Sound/breath

      • Irregular breathing, throat noise when the tongue retracts; increased swallowing.

    • Work pattern

      • Loss of lateral flexion, difficulty maintaining rhythm, abrupt transitions.

  • Why it happens:

    • Tongue pressure hotspots

      • Mouthpieces with tongue pressure; loose rings pinching lips; tight nosebands prevent normal tongue accommodation.

    • Conflicting signals

      • Mixed rein aids or unstable contact can encourage defensive tongue withdrawal.

  • What to try:

    • Free the tongue

      • Stay with tongue relief bits, there is a large enough range available to accommodate different riding styles and disciplines.

    • Stabilise

      • Choose eggbutt/D‑ring to limit ring slide; ensure smooth transitions in contact.

      • Ensure the noseband is free enough to allow tongue repositioning but snug enough to offer some stability; avoid flash or drop nosebands that pin the bit down.

    • Contact

      • Offer clear, brief aids followed by prompt release; keep hands level and elastic.

This Your Horse article may also help you to recognise when a horse is unhappy in their bit: