The bit is the primary communication tool between horse and rider in most disciplines, yet poorly fitted bits cause pain and behaviour problems in millions of horses. Evidence-based bitting is a welfare priority.
Horse behaviour problems attributed to disobedience or poor training are frequently caused by oral pain from ill-fitting bits. Research using pressure sensing technology has revealed that many traditional bits create extreme pressure on the tongue, bars, and palate. Horses cannot verbally communicate pain but express it through behaviour — head tossing, reluctance to work, bit evasions, and rearing. The welfare-conscious approach involves working with an equine dental technician and trained bitting specialist to find a correctly fitted bit for each individual horses mouth conformation.