Bits and Their Functions
Responsiveness is important in show horses and working horses alike. The choice in which bit used is fundamental to a horse’s performance. Desired results of bit performance are quicker, more precise movements and enhanced responsiveness to the rider’s cues. Examples of this increased control include: quicker stops, sharper turns, controlled stride length, jumping height, and sudden direction changes. Tom Balding offers a large variety of bit combinations.  A snaffle bit is an unobtrusive beginning in training younger horse’s responsiveness to cues. Tom offers a full range of snaffle bits to accommodate any horse and rider. The various three piece snaffle combinations provide softer cues for a responsive horse, while the twisted Wire™ and twisted Witch™ mouthpieces, available in a variety of sizes provide quicker cues to the bars of this mouth. Once general cues are followed with ease, a transition bit like the popular Double Cross™ can provide a bridge between the snaffle and a ported or solid mouthpiece. Tom Balding offers a variety of bits designed for the finished horse which aid in promoting head and body collection. Each mouthpiece design is carefully contemplated and executed; from the angle it’s welded on the shank to the materials used. The most popular is the Pro Roller Correction™ which features copper rollers to enhance comfort and provide a gentle delay before making contact. The comfort of the mouthpiece is essential in developing a finished horse that readily accepts the bit and responds to its cues. The SR² Correction™ is similar in styling but has a taller three inch height and an angled tilt in the port to allow slower and softer engagement. Both corrections are hinged at the port to allow individual contact to the bars of the mouth. The Ace of Spades™ is one of the more popular styles that utilize the copper rollers and a three inch curved port on a solid mouthpiece. The curvature of the thin port is designed to match the shape of the palette, resulting in increased comfort, and allows subtle cues from a soft hand. Also available is the Equalizer™ mouthpiece which has a shorter more forgiving two and quarter inch port. A copper center roller can be added to the port of either of these mouthpieces. Three Cathedral mouthpieces are Tom’s newest addition to the bit line. Used properly these solid mouthpieces can be an indispensable tool in promoting collection on a finished horse. All feature copper inlays in the bars and a tapered curved port to promote gentle engagement They also encourage increased response to cues, and are accepted by a wide variety of horses, even those whose temperament can prove complex.
