In this Horse Hero video British dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer discusses bitting with Sprenger MD Heinz Baumann. Topics include new research on the horse's mouth, fitting a snaffle bit, and fitting the double bridle. Horse Hero is a paid subscription but it's a LOT cheaper and more diverse than some of the dressage training subscriptions out there. The Brits offer a really different and valuable perspective...
What I learned from this video? That horses have less room in their mouths than previously thought, and that the tongue is the main contact with the rider's hands. A thick bit is not necessarily the most soft bit.
Ever wonder why Aurigan is the preferred metal alloy? Aurigan is 85% copper -- it's properties are hardness and oxidation. Copper oxides rapidly which gives a pleasing taste; oxidation causes salivation.
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I have some Sprenger bits. I haven't noticed my horse going better in them than other options, but I do like the double link bit the best.
ReplyDeleteGood video. Thanks for posting.
Thank you Stacey - I found this very informative and I will probably be making some changes. I really appreciate you posting this. Becky
ReplyDeleteI really like Horse Hero, and when we get in a better financial state, I want to subscribe. It is better than a magazine, I think.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder about the horse ingesting a lot of copper from the Aurigan bits. What kind of bit do you use on Riley?
Happy belated birthday, Riley, from one of your cyber aunties. ;-)
i can't get the video link to work and i would really like to see t
ReplyDeleteMake sure you have flash loaded on your pc or mac? It's working for me...
ReplyDeleteWonderful info, as usual. ;) Apparently I have been very behind the bit in my knowledge of proper bits. I prefer my Sprenger KK Ultra, because I can feel the difference.
ReplyDeleteEmbarrassing, but I too believed what I'd learned many years ago, the fatter the bit, the more gentle it is in the mouth. Thank you for the education!