THE TRUTH ABOUT BITS - PART 1 : HORSE BEHAVIOUR - A PLEA FOR UNDERSTANDING...

'...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right [and if ever challenged] raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom'

The bit is an antiquated piece of equipment which is designed to control the behaviour of a horse by the use of pain. Equestrians the world over seem to have little understanding of the connection which exists between the action of pulling the reins which are attached to the bit, and the torment and devastating effects this causes the horse. Perhaps they do - but instead the lure of popularity and common belief wins over simple care and consideration of an animal that is naturally obliging, peaceful and unfortunately captive. Clinical research outweighs the use of this outdated custom, and proves beyond any doubt whatsoever that use of a bit causes a horse fear, pain, disease and injury. That it extensively interferes with the physiological processes within the oral and nasal cavities, the throat, the upper airway and the lungs. And that it causes such deep psychological agony - one can only imagine the despair the stoic natured horse is forced to endure. But despite this hard evidence, traditionalists tenaciously cling to their beliefs which are unsubstantiated by any reasonable, humane - let alone scientific evidence. The legacy these individuals impart to the world perpetuates teaching methodology which is false and which places handlers and riders in potentially dangerous situations as well as creating a life time of physical and emotional torment for the horse.

The meaning of cruelty is defined as 'the infliction of unnecessary suffering'. Bits are unnecessary. They cause suffering. These are the facts. There are far more humane, effective and safer ways to interact with a horse than by using cruelty to control it. It is time for a global change which is long overdue.

If any relationship is to succeed between a human and a horse, it must be built on a solid foundation of trust which is developed from consistently kind actions and empathetic consideration of the horse as a herd and prey creature as well as an individual. It must also be based on respect from establishment of dominance which must be initiated by duplicating the horse's own natural non verbal method of communication. It is ludicrous to believe that an effective partnership can be sustained between a human and a horse when fear and pain is a component of that relationship. It is also inappropriate to expect a horse to interpret and understand human ways of communication and interaction. And that it will be willing to trust, willing to learn, and willing to oblige. When we try and communicate with horses as we would a fellow human, they become confused and stressed. They exhibit their distress in various ways according to their individual temperament just like us humans, but it is expressed in their own language which is always non vocal.

Because a horse doesn't cry out in pain or whine, doesn't mean that they feel safe, comfortable, happy or at peace. As humans we are used to communicating by using vocal and facial expressions and body movement combined with an 'energy' of intent. But as horse handlers we must learn a new language. A horse shows it's discomfort or distress in very common behaviours which owners are unaware of, ignore, overlook, misinterpret or try and control. A horse is a prey animal who is very responsive and reactive to it's environment. It may have been domesticated for a small amount of time, or for many years but it still retains it's prey reflexes and inherent nature, to a lesser or greater degree and depending on it's personality and the experiences it has had in it's life. When a horse anticipates pain [fear] or feels actual pain it is designed to react instantly by fleeing or fighting and also in domestic situations, it can learn to disconnect as a way of coping. These behaviours can be small and subtle or violent and dangerous, but are all clear signals from the horse that it is in distress. And the cause of this distress results from a bit being placed in the mouth and|or incorrect or abusive methods of communication.

Certainly there are horses who seem to accept the bit. However this misconception is usually vocalised by equestrians who have little understanding of a horse's anatomy or physiology or indeed any logical comprehension of the instinctual behaviour and responses a horse exhibits. And even less understanding on how a horse manifests this stress by flight, fight and disconnection. Education in observation and correct interpretation of a horse's often subtle but very clear non vocal signals of distress is severely lacking, and because the majority of horse handlers are unaware of how peaceful a relationship can actually be with a horse - they remain unconvinced the horse is suffering. The world over equestrians mistakenly assume that aids are okay if they are used correctly. Or that a bit is fine if one has light hands. Something often claimed, but rarely applied. And despite these claims, the mere fact that the bit lies in the extremely sensitive oral cavity causes deep and widespread dysfunction and torment.

What is equally concerning, is that even if these almost undetectable signs or more violent behaviour is actually recognised, the taught human response is to punish, control or to engage in a battle of wills with the horse. This leads to escalating anxiety and stress beyond a horse's individual ability to cope, and results in extremely dangerous situations developing for both the horse and the handler. Horse behaviour is categorised by humans according to human values which is incorrect and inappropriate. Horses do not love competing. They don't desire someone riding them. They do not get excited about human values. They are not naturally grumpy, bad tempered, fizzy, fresh, nappy, or cold backed. These behaviours are interpreted as 'naughty', but rather are a horse's only way of expressing how they feel. And these expressions result from a source of fear or pain which is causing them extreme distress and from which they cannot escape.

There are far more humane, effective and safer ways of communicating with a horse than resorting to using a bit to control it. Horses are naturally peaceful, obliging, playful, respectful, inquisitive and majestic creatures who are completely in harmony with nature. If one truly cares for their welfare, the evidence which supports how cruel a device the bit is, must be acknowledged. Therefore the use of a bit cannot ever be condoned.

Some common behaviours by which horses demonstrate their distress are :

• Disconnection [common] : Horses can become emotionally detached and unresponsive to interaction. They seemingly accept anything, but rather than being connected, at peace and able to express their individual personalities, they have barricaded themselves in an emotional place where nothing can harm them. They can show signs of being distant in their herd, and unresponsive and unwilling to connect with humans. This can be caused by a single traumatic event such as abusive techniques for float loading, or from enduring repeated events such as bitted riding. Emotionally painful memories of trauma are long lasting, and whether or not the situation is repeated, a horse will react according to the everlasting memory of the trauma. Horses will often try and escape the emotional pain by manifesting behaviour which comforts them such as wind sucking, crib biting, weaving, rocking, head tossing or other coping mechanisms. Often the horse is unwilling to leave the safety of it's herd, or does not want to be caught. It anticipates and associates a period of discomfort with the arrival of the handler and endeavours to avoid the experience.
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• Flight and fight [common] : Horses show signs of flight or fight sometimes for seemingly no apparent reason. However because of the anticipation of pain, and never knowing when or where it might be coming from, the horse becomes over sensitive, wary, anxious, jumpy, unpredictable, 'hot', nervous, fearful, shy, spooky, panicky, tense, stressed, sweaty or 'highly strung'. They have large reactions to small things and depending on the situation at the time will react by fleeing or by fighting to a small and subtle degree or by demonstrating more violent or aggressive behaviour.
  
  Continual fussing or becoming obstinate is a fight response, but just to a smaller degree. For instance a horse may become slightly stubborn at certain locations - for instance leaving the paddock or tacking up area, or when entering arenas or jumping courses. They may constantly turn towards an area of comfort such as where their herd is grazing. They fail to move forward, and become resistant. Fussing is similar, and identified as horses who are agitated, move around constantly, walk off, will not stand still, side step, chew, chomp, fiddle with the bit and place their tongue over the bit, clench the bit, grind the teeth, flick head and lips, retract the lips to show the teeth, open the mouth, over bend the neck, or try and lift their head to the sky. If these subtle signals are ignored, behaviour will escalate to more violent expressions of distress.
  
  Horses who demonstrate more aggressive responses of flight and|or flight can become difficult to slow or stop, bolt, have an uncontrollable pace, walk backwards, avoid bridling or the bit, rush or run out at jumps. Their behaviour is aggressive, argumentative, confrontational, bossy, grumpy, surly, resentful, adversarial, and angry which often results in bucking, striking, kicking, biting, rearing and generally fleeing from and|or fighting the bit as often and as much as they can.

EXAMPLES OF FLIGHT AND FIGHT RESPONSE

Unfortunately millions of handlers and riders place themselves in positions of extreme danger and both they and their horse sustain injuries - sometimes fatal, simply by not understanding the deep and devastating effect a bit has on a horse. Being forced to endure such pain and anguish - the horse responds the only way it knows how - by demonstrating responses of fleeing, fighting or disconnecting. By the simple action of discarding the bit, one removes one major source of pain and suffering and by so doing, one also removes the negative, misinterpreted and dangerous behaviours the horse demonstrates in it's plea for understanding.

Particular heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation go to Dr Robert Cook [www.bitlessbridle.com] who continues to inspire millions around the world with his research and publications, as well as his deep commitment and persistence in showing the world that there is a better way. Bob, you are truly the voice of those that cannot speak and the world is a better place because of your efforts! Thank you for everything.