5 simple tips for choosing iron for your horse

Photo: FEI Jumping Facebook page

Translated article by Ema Klugman

Source: eventingconnect.today

Regardless of your level and the level of the horse, the bit must be properly selected. It is a fact. Iron is the foundation of all foundations. The quality of work, manageability, control, and, in the end, your safety will depend on your choice. We’ve put together some helpful tips to help you make the right choice.

Here are some tips to help you choose your hardware:

1) Decide for yourself what exactly you want from the horse. It makes no sense for an obedient hobbit who trots under children to put on a mouthpiece. When choosing iron, it is worth considering specific tasks and problems, for example, lack of control during a jump.

2) All horses are different. Just because a bit is perfect for one horse does not make it perfect for all other horses. There are also general rules: if the horse constantly goes behind the reins in an attempt to reduce pressure, it is a big mistake to use a more severe bit with leverage. Moreover, if the horse pulls you apart when passing the triathlon route, then it makes sense to try, for example, Olympic iron instead of the usual snaffle.

3) Try! See how your horse reacts to different types of iron. Is it easier to find contact on this? Does this make perfect half halts? Is it easy to turn with this? Test the iron in combat conditions – if you are picking up iron for competition because you lack control in the passages, then trying it while walking in a riding suit is not informative.

4) Your horse can change. Hardware that has been good for months or years may one day need to be replaced. The reasons may be different. For example, you have worked with a horse a lot, it has become softer, more obedient, has begun to trust you, and your riding skills have improved markedly – it may make sense to consider a less strict bit. And vice versa, you decided to go to a new level, and in connection with this, new tasks appeared. They may require more control, more control, more subtle interaction.

5) Iron cannot “cure” everything. One good workout is just one good workout, but good stable riding is another thing entirely. When using a strict iron, the appearance of a good ride can be created. But a strong iron does not make you a better rider. Iron is just one piece of a larger puzzle called equestrianism.