When it comes to bits, I could go on forever. Some people collect shoes, I collect bits. I think it's fascinating the way different bits will work in different ways on different horses. The Rocky Mountain Horse can be very particular about it's mouth. You find a bit that works well on one, and the next horse you put it on absolutely hates it. When training for gait, the choice of bit is often determined by what we are trying to correct (head carriage, collection, etc.), and of course we’re usually working with youngsters with a lot of changes going on their mouth that can make them all the more fussy. For these reasons, I need good selection of tools to choose from in the tack room... and so, among other things, I collect bits.

All of the horses we start under saddle here begin with a full-cheek snaffle. We use this to teach them turning, stopping, and the rest of the basics. When we begin to work on perfecting the gait, increasing stride and collection, we generally change to a curb bit. Depending on the horse and what’s required, we might use anything from a Kimberwick to a big, vulcanized rubber Pelham.

Every so often, though, we get a horse that just needs something a little different. While researching, looking for different ideas and concepts (...okay, shopping for more bits), I came across the Myler Bit System.

Myler bits (distributed by Toklat) are the invention of brothers Dale, Ron and Bob Myler. They feature a curved mouthpiece that enables the horse to have bar and tongue relief. This is said to make it easier for the horse to swallow and it creates an even pressure across the mouth. The bits are well-engineered to give pressure where it is needed and avoid it where it’s not. Many feature shanks which can lift and swivel independently on each side, allowing the rider to more easily engage a single direct rein or isolate a shoulder, acting on one side of the mouth only.

The bits are available in several ready made configurations of direct action and shanked bits, or the purchaser can order the mouthpiece and side pieces separately to create a custom bit. They also offer different designs of hackamores and combination bits, which are a hybrid between a shanked bit and a hackamore. Their selection of ready made and custom bits can be seen on the Toklat website at www.toklat.com/myler.

Myler categorizes their bits according to the horse’s level of training: from Level 1 bits for early training to Level 3 for finished horses, moving to a progressively “softer” action as the horse progresses. The Myler brothers have also published book (“A Whole Bit Better”, published by Tolkat Originals Inc.) which does a very good job explaining how bits work in relation to the horse’s mouth (and other parts) and the differences between the action of their bit design and others. It discusses the factors involved in selecting a bit and some of the signs of resistance that an improperly bitted horse may show. The book also contains the whole catalogue of Myler bit designs with a description of the action and uses of each one. The copy we bought was less than $15 and is well worth it for anyone wishing to gain a better insight into the workings of a bit in a horse’s mouth.

Last summer I had a two year old gelding that was quite tall and lanky. His gait was smooth and long-strided, but I was having to work very hard to keep his head up and his back end engaged with just a snaffle bit. I didn't think his owners, who are new to horses of any kind, would be able to effectively get him to gait in a snaffle. I tried him in a Kimberwick, an Argentine and a Wonder Bit, with limited success, but not the ease I was looking for. I then worked him in a triple-roller mullen-mouth bit from Myler. The improvement was immediate. He suddenly seemed happy with the bit in his mouth, his front end lightened up and he swung into an easy, natural gait with a nice head carriage. For this horse’s mouth, at his stage of development, I believe the curved mouthpiece offered relief to the tongue and bars in a way that allowed him to carry his head higher without having to be “pulled” up and resisting the bit. Another horse might have responded to a different bit, but I was glad to have this one in the toolbox at the time.

I like the concept of the Myler Bits, but they can be two or three times more expensive than most others. The ready made bits generally range in price from $50 to $150 US ($70 to $200 CDN ...custom ones can be more). If you only need one bit for a single horse, the Myler price isn’t too big a drawback.. But for our purposes, replacing all the 20-odd bits we currently keep in the arsenal would cost two or three thousand dollars. While I really like the design, that’s a little cost prohibitive. As time goes on though, there is no doubt that I’ll be adding more Mylers to my collection.

I'm also great fan of the 'try before you buy' concept. I often beg and borrow different bits from other riders to try them out before deciding whether purchase one. To this end, the Toklat website offers a “rent-a-bit” program from select dealers. For a nominal price you can take the bit home and try it on your horse to see how it works. If you’re considering buying a Myler, inquire whether you can rent it first, to be sure that it’s going to work for your horse.

The bottom line for us: for most purposes we can find a $40.00 bit that does just fine. But if you think your horse needs something different, or are simply willing to spend the extra money for a better-engineered, well-built bit, then take a look at the Mylers.

As a final note, if you’re having bitting problems, don’t blame the bit until you’ve had your horse’s mouth checked out by your vet or equine dentist. If you skimp on the dental maintenance, you'll frequently wind up with horse that tosses it's head, evades the bit, and will never gait consistently.