Advantages of the Innovative Equestrian Pee Wee Horse Bit
Information below courtesy of the manufacturer, Innovative Equestrian
The only horse bit in the world that does not contact the sensitive sides of the horse's mouth.
- Exceptional floating mouthpiece that allows the horse to completely relax
- Painless communication with greater control
- The Pee Wee eliminates head tossing and laying on the bit
- Encourages flexion and prevents the horse getting its tongue over the bit
- A one-of-a-kind technology, creating harmony between horse and rider so you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
Further information:
The mouth bar
Surveys have shown that 80% of horses have low palates and large
fleshy tongues. This means that the majority of bits on the market are
too thick in the mouth bar and so don't leave enough room in the mouth
for the tongue. As a result the tongue lifts the mouth bar up until it
contacts the roof of the mouth (mouth palate)and usually results in
severe bruising to the palate which generally goes unnoticed by the
horse owner . This is a major irritation which causes the horse to toss
its head up and forwards to try and shake the bit to the front of the
mouth to create some room and stop the contact to the palate. A horse
will also continually open its mouth to avoid this discomfort but
unfortunately a lot of riders then resort to using a drop nose band to
keep the horses mouth shut totally unaware of the discomfort they are
inflicting on their horse or why the horse is opening its mouth. We have
eliminated this problem by introducing a thinner mouth bar which leaves
plenty of room for the tongue and eliminates contact to the roof of the
mouth as well as being lightweight and beautifully shaped to fit over
the tongue. Also being a fixed mullen mouth bar there is no "nutcracker"
effect which is very disconcerting to horses and results in severe
bruising as mentioned previously.
Position of the mouth bar over the tongue
The mouth bar of the Pee Wee bit sits further forward
over the tongue and bars than conventional bits. This position of
contact on the tongue along with even pressure down onto the bars,
encourages the horse to flex down at the pole, which means the horse is
down over the bit in a better position to work rather than getting
behind the bit and getting it's head in the air and wanting to take off.
This better head and neck carriage position acts like a natural brake
that makes it far easier to pull up a horse.The mouth bar also provides
tongue relief and stays permanently quiet in the mouth until a command
is given. This unique benefit is achieved due to the floating mouth bar.
The mouth bar actually floats up and down and backwards on the large
rings so at no time is there pressure on the tongue.Horses move their
tongue readily when they swallow and while drinking water and with
traditional bits a mouth bar is an obstruction but the mouth bar of the
Pee Wee does not interfere with tongue movement, which provides comfort
at all times for the horse.
Position of large rings and side bars
A large percentage of biting issues are the result of the large rings
or bars of the bit contacting the sensitive side of the face. This
results in the lips being forced against the teeth, which causes pain to
the horse. Proof of this is when the horse starts tossing their head to
the side to try and get away from the bit to relieve the discomfort, or
if the pain becomes extreme, they will actually start laying on the bit
to fight the pain, which results in the all too familiar problems of
the bit sliding through the mouth and the rider losing contact and the
neck becoming stiff with only bend from the poll rather than the wither
as well. The Pee Wee bit eliminates these problems due to
the fact the large rings of the Pee Wee do not contact the sensitive
sides of the face. The rings actually fold back over the outside of the
small side bars which are positioned under the lower jaw which keeps
them off the face, eliminating pinching and hence head tossing.The side
bars are strategically placed just outside of the lower jaw and only
contact the jaw when rein contact is given. Due to the specific
placement of these side bars, it is too uncomfortable for a horse to lay
against the side bars, so you no longer lose contact. It also makes it
very easy to turn a horse.
Sizing is different to some bits due to the side bars but as a general guide, Mini is perfect for tiny mouths, Shetlands etc at approx 4"; Small is approx 4 1/2", Medium 5" and Large 5 1/2". Please note the sizing difference needed between this fixed cheek bit and a loose ring. If you are unsure of sizing please contact Gail either on the Advice Line 07789 587 302 or email gail@horsebithire.com