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Your Questions Answered! QUESTION: I have read Amy's article on bits and was wondering (much contention in the household) about the correct fitting of a curb shank bit in the horse's mouth. How tight or loose should it sit. Are there different rules for different types of mounts i.e. soft, heavy, pushy. If you can advise it would be very much appreciated. I am in Australia so email would be your best way of communication. I would also really like to put the answer in Reining Australia's Slider newsletter so if you would like to write an article of any length that would be awesome. Cheers Sonya" ANSWER: "Dear Sonya, A general rule of thumb when correctly fitting a bit to a horse's mouth snaffle or curb would be to look for one wrinkle in corner of the mouth/lips. Occasionally, a horse that has a very soft mouth may need no wrinkle meaning you loose the bit to one hole or both but it still sits firmly in the corners. The same philosophy maybe used for se cathedral bits or bits with high ports because ideally these bits should be used on a very well broke horse that needs little...

Equine Behavioral Problems And Suggested Remedies Equine behavior is an evolving science. There’s been an increased interest from researchers, especially from Europe and Australia, in how we train and manage equine in relation to their behavior. Many behavioral problems such as cribbing (wind sucking), stall weaving, or flank biting are vices, or the more current term, stereotypies that man has created based on observation. A stereotypy is an abnormal behavior that serves no function or purpose to an animal.  Equine are designed to graze for long periods of time, such as 16-17 hours per day.  Due to the increase in urban growth, specific restraints, and jobs we expect horses to perform, we have begun to limit the amount of time a horse spends outside including the amount of time they spend “grazing” or consuming forage. Most horses are on a strict feeding schedule that revolves around help, management, and people’s jobs therefore the animal that is use to grazing for a long period of time is now restricted to consuming one, or possibly two, large meals twice a day at very specific times.  Feeding horses on a strict routine often increases anxiety and unwanted behaviors like pawing or walking continuously...

Back to Basics ~ The Function Of A Bit History has shown that horses were first controlled by rope or rawhide being placed over the bridge of their nose and pressure was exerted on the nose to gain control. Later, the idea of placing antler or bone inside the horse’s mouth became a new mechanism of controlling this large animal.  Over time as civilization developed and people had access to other materials the idea of the bit, resembling bits that we know today, was born.  The Romans were the first to develop something similar to a snaffle bit, rings on the side with various mouth pieces, some broken and others not.  Some bits also included rings that either went over the nose of the horse, similar to a combination bit today that exerts pressure on both the nose, the bars, corner of the mouth and the chin. Other “ring” bits, commonly used by the Spanish later on, had a ring that went under the chin.  As horsemanship started gaining in popularity during the Renaissance period, methods of controlling and equipping horses with tack began to take on a new and more humane approach.  Also, during this time period the idea...

Equine Dental Care for Performance Horses Have you had your horse’s teeth floated lately? Most veterinarians will recommend having your horse’s teeth floated at least once a year.  Some horses may require their teeth be floated more often especially if your horse works for a living.  Floating refers to filing the sharp points off the molars and some times the incisor teeth.  The incisors are the teeth located in the front often used to tell the age of the horse and the molars are found in the back along the top and bottom jaw.  When a horse chews grass or hay, the jaws (mandibles) move side to side and during this movement sharp points can develop along the arcade of teeth in both the incisors and molars.  Generally, most horses’ top jaw will tend to be slightly longer than the under jaw but a severe difference may create additional problems especially in regards to the horse chewing or masticating it’s food and even issues with where the bit may sit when riding a horse with such genetic deformities as being parrot or monkey mouth.1  Monkey mouth is where the under jaw is longer than the top.  The every day wear...