6/ FEBRUARY 2011 THE RIDER


Natural Horsemanship & Body Control Foundation Reining Training Tongue Pressure Vs. Tongue Relief


are the broken bits, the single-joint- ed, and three- piece


In the Myler’s latest book, The Level Best For Your Horse (http://www.toklat.com), I quote them: "Our belief that tongue relief is the key to achieving a relaxed horse has not changed. If anything, we believe in it more strongly today that we did 10 years ago." (Preface) "The Myler's also say, a bit can only do two things: create evasion or relaxation." (p.2)


bits." (p.5)


mentioned in my January’s article on Bitting Levels, the ‘kindly


Like I


regarded’ simple snaffle is one of the harshest bits because the joint is driven down into the tongue caus- ing so much tongue pressure. And yet it's the most widely over used & misunderstood bit in the equine world! “Sadly, some riders and horses have never known anything but evasion and resistance in their communication through the bit and fail to realize there are any other options.” (p.3)


Why does Tongue Pressure Cause So Much Resistance or Evasion?


With regards to tongue pres- sure, the Myler's after 25 years of experience have found: "...applying pressure to the tongue creates more evasion than all others combined. Their conclusion: excessive tongue pressure is the source of most bit resistance and the bits that caused the most tongue pressure


The tongue pressure of broken, single-jointed or three-piece bits inhibit the horse from swallowing. A horse would rather draw their tongue up into the back of it’s throat, cutting off their air, then not be able to swallow. And, according to the Mylers: “The tongue is the most over used and abused pressure point on the horse’s head.” (p.15). Also, "The tongue is a muscle, attached to muscles in the horse's


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And the Myler's answer to elim- inating bit resistance or evasion: "go softer - offer the horse some tongue relief so he can work on the bit without interference and listen to your communication." (p.11)


Pinch & Restrict Bits


Actually, the simple snaffle with it's single-jointed mouthpiece was designed to restrict the tongue on purpose to create pressure. This pressure was and is still used today to teach a colt how to give to bit pressure - easily. And consequent- ly, to the trainer’s hands.


neck and consequently in his back. Inhibiting its ability to swallow impedes the performance of that entire group of muscles... Anything that interferes with your ability to swallow also interferes with your ability to move forward." (p.5) They reiterate again by saying: "First and most importantly, exces- sive tongue pressure significantly interferes with the horse's ability to collect and balance himself under the rider." (p.9)


ue to use the broken snaffles LONG after their intended use.


There is a Better Way?


I do believe, however, that using a snaffle bit WITHOUT the single- jointed or three-piece mouthpiece is better to use for teaching colts to give to bit pressure. I agree with the Myler's that using a mouthpiece


tongue relief does make a big dif- ference as the horse becomes a fin- ished horse.


In reining, a typical mouth- piece is the correctional. Because of the port, it does offer tongue relief. It is still a great bit to use.


with a barrel in the centre and a slight (to large) port (MB04) would be kinder than the broken bits. There is still tongue pressure but there is room for the horse’s tongue to elevate to swallow. And there is also the ability to work each side of the horse’s face independently. I was so impressed by what I read. It just made so much sense to me.


We, as trainers, want to teach the horse the basic lesson of giving to bit pressure and learning the rudiments of steering. The key is to release the rider’s hands as a reward once the horse has given to bit pressure so there is not a contin- uous restriction on the horse’s tongue (and their ability to swal- low).


So, it was used and is still used today as a basic training tool. So, it still has it's useful purpose. The only problem is that people contin-


I also watched Dale Myler's youtube videos which talked about the same thing. They are uploaded by juliegoodnight.


I have incorporated this philos- ophy about tongue pressure and tongue relief in my training. I have bought a few of their bits and I con- tinue to do so. Ellen @ The Horse Habit, (a local tack shop) will start to carry the Myler bits shortly for my customers. Though the Myler's will tell you that riders and trainers train horses, I have found that a bit with an ever increasing amount of


“Please drop by my booth 2100-7 at Can-Am and let's talk bits!"


‘Putting my spin on tongue pressure and tongue relief.’


Reinersue @Copyright KISS Reiners


About the Author: Susan Dahl is a cer- tified professional horse trainer, NCCP coaching theory certified, writer, com- petitor, clinician and owner/operator of Foundation Reining Training Centre, where she specializes in natural horse- manship & body control foundation reining training/Western Dressage for horse & rider. She has trained & won numerous ORHA, NRHA, & Reining Canada Top 10 awards. For more infor- mation on her very innovative & fun approach to training, clinics, lessons, or coaching, please visit her website www.reinersuehorsemanship.com.


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The Board wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the time and efforts of the Task Force members. While none of the Task Force’s recommenda- tions were specifically adopted, the Board did agree to create three working groups to further study, revise and build upon some of the recommendations.


All conflicts of interest on the Board, real or perceived, were acknowledged and dealt with professionally and appropriately. It is anticipated that the working groups will report back to the Board no later than the next Jump Canada Board meeting in May.


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id=562&lang=en About Jump Canada


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