Is bitless always better?

How using bits affects equine welfare

The use of bits in equine sports has been a long-standing topic of discussion within the equestrian community. In Finland, issues related to bits have been raised in disciplines such as harness racing (Tuomola, Mäki‐Kihniä, et al., 2021a) and eventing/cross country (Tuomola, Mäki-Kihniä, et al., 2021b). Internationally, this topic has also been a subject of concern. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has strict regulations regarding the types of bits and bridles allowed in various equestrian disciplines. Horses found to have blood in their mouths during bit inspections at competitions are automatically disqualified.

However, as revealed in Kati Tuomola’s research in 2019 (Tuomola et al., 2019), horses may have significant oral injuries even when blood is not visible externally. The discussion about the impact of bits on the well-being of horses is crucial, especially now, when the social license to operate in equine sports and the equine industry is being discussed beyond the equestrian community. In Finland this is partly due to a documentary produced by Yle in 2021.

In February 2023, an article written by Luke et al. was published, addressing the use of bits and its significance in terms of horse safety, rider satisfaction, and horse well-being in equestrian sports (Luke et al., 2023). The study involved an anonymous online survey sent to both amateur and professional individuals involved in the equine industry in Australia. The survey questions focused on bridle use, rider experiences, and horse behavior during handling and riding. A statistical analysis was conducted based on the survey questions and responses, examining the entire sample as well as individual cases.

According to the article, the use of bits has a long history as a means of communication and control when working with horses. However, concerns about the traumatic effects of improper bit usage have prompted discussions about equine welfare on a broader scale. While it is generally believed that horses perceive bits as uncomfortable rather than comfortable, bit usage is still mandatory in FEI dressage competitions.

Over the past decade, research has shown a clear connection between equine welfare and safety. Poor horse handling negatively impacts welfare, leading to increased aggression, fear, and reactivity. Furthermore, it is now understood that equine welfare also affects rider safety. However, efforts to enhance rider safety have primarily focused on protective gear such as helmets and body protectors, with little consideration given to equine welfare as a safety factor (Luke et al., 2023).

Due to the welfare and health issues associated with bits, Luke et al. (2023) hypothesized that horses ridden without bits might feel better, exhibiting less hyperactivity, and resulting in fewer accidents and injuries for riders using bitless bridles. It was also believed that riders would be more satisfied with the relationships with their horses. Equine welfare was assessed by evaluating several well-known welfare parameters, including back pain, aggressiveness, bucking, and behavioral problems, and comparing their prevalence with other survey parameters. Notably, this study did not consider the responses of riders using hackamores, as hackamores are not considered bitless due to their mechanical leverage action and is very different from a side-pull or a halter.

The results of the study indicated that horses ridden without bits had better welfare, exhibited less hyperactivity, and riders were more satisfied with their horses and their relationships with them. However, there was no observed difference in rider safety between different types of bridles (Luke et al., 2023). At first glance, it may appear that the results solely support the use of bitless bridles, but it is worth considering that horses ridden bitless may be better prepared and trained in a more systematic manner, taking into account the horses’ learning styles and abilities. The absence of differences in rider safety highlights the notion that bits do not control horses; rather, horses must learn to control themselves. It is also noteworthy that riders using bitless bridles had a better understanding of bit mechanics, which may extend to other aspects of care and training of horses.

This research underscores the importance of correct horse training. Understanding the nature of horses, their needs, and their learning processes is essential for ensuring their welfare. Equally important is the knowledge and familiarity with the equipment used on horses. It is crucial that riders understand how different bridles, bits, and other equipment can affect their horses. Ideally, discussions about bits should focus more on the need for education and knowledge, rather than simply condemning different types of equipment.

References

Luke, K. L., McAdie, T., Warren-Smith, A. K., & Smith, B. P. (2023). Bit use and its relevance for rider safety, rider satisfaction and horse welfare in equestrian sport. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 259, 105855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105855

Tuomola, K., Mäki-Kihniä, N., Kujala-Wirth, M., Mykkänen, A., & Valros, A. (2019). Oral Lesions in the Bit Area in Finnish Trotters After a Race: Lesion Evaluation, Scoring, and Occurrence. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fvets.2019.00206

Tuomola, K., Mäki-Kihniä, N., Valros, A., Mykkänen, A., & Kujala-Wirth, M. (2021). Bit-Related Lesions in Event Horses After a Cross-Country Test. Frontiers in veterinary science, 8, 651160–651160. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.651160

Tuomola, K., Mäki‐Kihniä, N., Valros, A., Mykkänen, A., & Kujala‐Wirth, M. (2021). Risk factors for bit‐related lesions in Finnish trotting horses. Equine veterinary journal, 53(6), 1132–1140. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13401