Why do leverage bits get such a bad rap?

Question

Is it because you see ppl using leverage bits that don't know what they are doing or their horses weren't properly trained for it? *I agree, have seen that myself*

I see alot of questions or answers involving, keeping them in a snaffle.

While I have no problems with that, my guys are shown and have to be in a bridle bit by the time they are 6. But my guys are trained to them by that time and I have no problems with leverage bits. Of course they aren't in spades etc, but I do think its awesome to see a well trained horse in a spade.

So why do some think leverage bits are bad?

What are your thoughts on leverage bits on 2-4 yr olds?

I don't go to leverage until they are ready but they usually have a good year or 2 in the snaffle.

Answer 1

How many horses have I seen who never experienced a bitting up process, brought along from snaffle, through bosal, to straight up bit. It takes a great deal of knowledge, patience, and a great set of hands to get it accomplished.

And it is the vaquero way.

The horse doesn't have to progress to a spade bit...just a straight up bit will do.

No doubt some people may think a leverage bit is bad. They may not have the confidence or skills to get their own horse out of a snaffle and on with the process. Or they've not spent any time with an individual trainer whose has the knowlege and is willing to share. It's real freedom to get beyond the snaffle.

I've seen a lot of damage done by unskilled hands in a snaffle, let alone a straight up bit....

Have seen many horses in a straight up bit(spade) at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, Reno, in the Maturity Classes. (5 and 6 year olds)

Have listened to a top five NRCHA trainer tell of his experiences with a young stallion(2 1/2 years old) who was through a snaffle bit and they had to go onto a straight up bit to continue training. Interesting story. It worked out well for the trainer and the stallion.

Leverage bits are wonderful if the rider has help along the way and the horse is comfortable it a straight up bit. In the horse world one should try to never stop learning....

Answer 2

I think it's more of the hands that use them than the bits themselves. I do however encourage people to get their horse soft and supple in a basic snaffle before moving up to a twisted wire snaffle or a short shank. I prefer keeping my 2 year olds in the snaffle for a good year after I start them in the a breaking halter of course. I like the snaffle because it's so basic to train and get back to the basics in.

I think the problem that most people are having with a leverage bit is that when their or they hear of a horse that doesn't respond right away to the snaffle they feel they must go for a much feelier(I know not a word!) bit to get the results they want faster. I frown upon that, because the secret to a soft, obediant, and supple horse is not the bit...but rather the hands that hold them.

But any bit in the wrong hands, the snaffle included, can be a weapon of mass destruction.

Answer 3

Frankly, I don't think half the people I've seen ask questions on this site and many others should be allowed to use ANYTHING in a horses' mouth, especially not a leverage bit.

IMP, Tom Thumbs are one of the worse-not because they're harsh, but because of how they're used.

Then you'll have people who's horses don't listen in a snaffle, so they move up to a curb, move up to a harsher curb, etc.

A lot of horses and a lot of people simply are not trained to use them, and when you get a horse who doesn't neck rein or has never been in a leverage bit and combine it with a newbie or heavy-handed person, well, there you go.

I don't like seeing leverage bits on 2 year olds. I see them as a step up in training, and IMO 2 year olds just shouldn't be started. If you've got a 2 year old you're not only riding but you've worked enough that you can put him in a leverage bit? I really worry about that horses' future mental and physical soundness.

3 and up I think should depend on the horse. Some may be ready, some may not. I personally dislike that shows and breed associations have rules that older horses can't go in snaffles-if they're working well in the bit, why not?

Answer 4

I think one thing people don't realize is that anything with a curb strap works at least partially through leverage, so even their "gentle" tom thumbs and similar bits are curb bits. Not so much here in answers as in real life I see many people thinking that a tom thumb is a snaffle.
I don't think they're bad, any bit can be misused as is often mentioned, I've always considered it a natural progression that many horses switch after a certain point usually for shows but also just because it's condsidered the norm. A good western horse or mule who responds to and invisible cue across a nice free rein is a great thing to watch (nothing to do with lame looking peanut pushers) I figure they get a easier to read cue through a leverage or curb bit.
All of my horses will go in whatever you do or don't put in their mouth. They're ready and willing and force isn't required with any bit.
I guess people encourage a snaffle because they have no way of judging if someone has the hands to train in a curb just by chatting over the internet.

Answer 5

People assume that they are only used as crutches and they create false frames. There is a backward assumption that if you are truly a horseman you can have your horse piaffe in a snaffle.

While that is something I would love to aspire to, It is not practical for everyday. I was almost in an accident with my horse because my bit was too gentle, and I wasn't even mounted, he just decided to stop in the middle of the road.

If you look at some of the ancient bits used by greeks, romans and celts, some of them are downright nasty, at the same time they functioned as emergency brakes for charging stallions, most of the riding was done from seat and leg cues.

I would much rather have a severe bit I never needed to use while out on the trails, than an easily ignored bit.

I started my horse in a snaffle and am only now considering leverage bits, he is 6.

Not sure about the 2-4 yo but I predominantly ride English and I know Western work is more off the bit.

That's another annoying thing, English riders assume that Western riders are putting constant leverage and pressue/contact on those bits, but they're not.

Answer 6

Any bit is a bad bit in the wrong hands, just like any bit (other than a grazing bit which is a piece of crap) is a good bit in the right hands.

Most people that ride do just that they 'ride' the horse and have no concept of what handling a horse is.

I do introduce leverage bits (jr cowhorse, long shank sliding gag) to young horses, it is not a bit I use on a daily basis but do want them used to it. I love a jr cowhorse bit and use it on almost all of my horses at one time or the other.

Just use your judgement or get that of a professional (not billy bob at the tack shop or bobby joe at the feed store) as to when your horse is ready to take a leverage bit or if they need to stay in the snaffle a bit longer. Ours don't get a leverage bit until they are light and responsive in a snaffle.

Answer 7

well, i believe that it depends on the style. If you see some little kid who doesn't know what he/she is doing riding English with a huge pelham or gag i would be terribly angry.

with English [as you know] there should be constant rein connection (except pleasure) in western you use more leg/seat/rein pressure then BIT pressure, therefor a leverage bit in a western horse would be less severe then a leverage bit on a dressage horse. of course there is ALWAYS exceptions for the incompetent riders who think they know everything.

I almost always ride my horse in a D ring happy mouth snaffle.. but there are the exceptions when going cross country/jumping course that i use a 2 ring happy mouth elevator. Personally, i HATE this bit because there is no "middle ground" its either leverage or no connection. I am starting to work with a tom thumb pelham because i feel its better. You can ride with just the snaffle or use leverage. Mind you my horse is 18(15) and has had all of these things used on him before.

Basically, i would say it is just the fact that there are incompetent riders ruining horses with leverage bits they are ready for.

ALSO: i personally HATE to see young horses in leverage. You can easily ride a horse its entire life in a snaffle.. there is no need for extreme measures on young horses that still can be "molded" to ride correctly in snaffles.

Answer 8

alot of people that use leverage bits do not use them properly. they are not supposed to be used as "life savers" but to aid in training. when a horse is first started a snaffle (normal or rubber) should be used. wait until they understand things that you are asking of them and see how they respond, this way you dont over bit them at too early of an age. for some horses they need leverage bits but the longer you wait the better chance of having a horse with a good, soft mouth.

Answer 9

I judge dressage. I know very little about western except that a well-trained western horse takes most of its cues from the reins and the rider's legs and body weight - not the bit.

The problem is not the well trained horse and the athletic, sensitive and well-balanced rider - the problem is all those horses that are not well trained and/or who are ridden by people who are not athletic, not balanced, insensitive and/or still learning. In the hands of people like that, any bit can be painful but a curb can be jaw-achingly and energy-sappingly cruel.

In the debate about bits, pro-bitters always argue that it's not the bit that's harsh, but the hands that use it. This ignores the fact that not all people who ride are capable of being good riders and, however 'naturally' talented people are, they all have to learn. We all learn using bits - and we all damage horses in the process. Even the greatest riders sometimes get unbalanced, left behind the movement etc and inadvertently pull on the reins.

I know from decades of riding and judging that very few people actually have a fully independent hand and seat - and I include myself in that number. I'm a good rider - but I know far more than I can do - which is why I judge!

Many people either don't know how damaging a bit can be to a horse or, sadly, don't care.

Bits affect the mouth, jaw, teeth, throat, windpipe, lungs, neck back and legs - and the generation of energy. To what degree and with what consequences for horse (and rider) varies according to circumstance - but far more harm is done than is not done.

All bits allow riders to exert enormous pressure on one of the most sensitive parts of the horse's anatomy. Curb bits (like gags) add poll pressure to both bar and tongue pressure. Wrongly used they cause pain in the jaw and tongue, affect the respiratory system and, by creating muscle tension from the jaw and neck right through to the quarters, they can affect energy generation and cause muscular-skeletal damage.

"Snaffles can cause unsoundness and curbs can cripple."

The belief that a snaffle is a kind bit is misplaced; it's not - the least pressure is exerted by a straight bar. All bits apply pressure - and for an idea of the actual pounds per square inch of pressure check out the work of Dr Hilary Clayton (Michigan University) or Dr Robert Cook. (And please no silly posts suggesting that these eminent academics are motivated by commercial interests or in the pay of PETA)

Answer 10

I ride my pleasure horse in a snaffle most of the time, except right before a show and at a show... Since he is 11 years old he is required to have a leverage bit. I don't see anything wrong with them if the horse is introduced to them correctly, but my horse rides fine in a hackamore/halter, and any leverage bit is harsh for him.

As for leverage bits on a 2-4 year old, I strongly disagree in most cases. My friend bought a 3 yr old QH that was broke with a leverage bit, and he was really unresponsive and hard mouthed.