Bombers Pressure Points
BOMBERS PHILOSOPHY
"PRESSURE = RESISTANCE"
"RESISTANCE = LACK OF CONTROL"
-Bomber Nell-
A horse is an animal of flight – it will never yield to pressure or pain, it will either move away from it or run away. To obtain control we need to remove the resistance. To remove the resistance, one must remove the pressure or distribute the pressure over a larger surface area.
The horse’s balance point is its head, unlike cats, dogs where the balance point is in the tail. By watching the frame and composure of a horse, and in particular its head, resistance can be identified and though incremental bitting changes, the Bombers Methodology can help make a good horse great.
BOMBERS BITS - PRESSURE POINTS
We have made some very important changes to our handcrafted bits which is why they are so well received by the horses. The sweet iron is warmer than stainless steel, it encourages salivation, the curved mouth pieces reduce tongue pressure, the links are small and offset thus relieving a pressure point on the tongue.
With our thorough understanding of the mechanics of the various cheek pieces and mouth pieces we can correct negative action of the horse’s head and we can also position the head correctly. This, together with our understanding of the requirements of the disciplines, conformation of the various breeds, as well as the individuality of the Rider has resulted in our extensive range of bits.
Our sizes start at 90mm widths up to 160mm width and size of all our bits are stamped on the left hand side of the mouth piece which also indicates which way the bit should be fitted to the bridle thus avoiding incorrect usage.
Our extensive range of the bits includes training and corrective bits that can eradicate a problem allowing the horse to continue on to a conventional bit suited to the discipline.
Riders at the top level may require a small tweak here or there in order to achieve a win and this is what we can offer with our philosophy.
GREY, Utilises no pressure, the optimum case however this is not realistic in every situation.
GREEN, Registers a light pressure, applied over a large surface area to achieve a better positioning of the head.
ORANGE, Indicates that medium pressure is being applied to correct a problem or to achieve necessary control.
RED, Is the maximum pressure, the rider should be cautious and question this use.
BOMBERS - MOUTH PRESSURE POINTS
BAR pressure is applied by most mouth pieces and is generally accepted by the horse, bringing the head down.
PINCH or nutcracker action of a single break mouth piece such as a conventional snaffle will put heavy pressure on the side of the bars causing the head to lift. A curved or 3 piece mouth piece relieves this nutcracker action slightly, making it more accepted. A solid mouth piece will remove this action.
TONGUE pressure is accepted by most horses and will bring the head down.
BOMBERS - HEAD PRESSURE POINTS
CHEEK pressure is useful for schooling, encouraging flexion and directing the horse.
CURB pressure may be necessary to improve control, as well as to encourage the chin to tuck in. Curb chain pressure is severe due to the sensitive area of application but can be softened by distributing the pressure to other areas such as mouth and poll. Nylon or leather back straps are a softer option to a curb chain.
POLL pressure is applied through the bridle and will increase proportionally to the length of the bits upper shank/purchase. When applied to a horse that accepts this form of pressure it will bring the head down. Poll pressure is usually used in conjunction with other pressure points, making it more accepted.
BOMBERS BITS - TYPES OF MOUTHPIECE
SOLID BIT, The mouthpiece is fixed between cheekpieces, optionally offering tongue relief in the form of a port.
SEMI-BROKEN BIT, The joint is hindered from making its full movement, thereby limiting the horse bit’s action and lessening the squeeze.
1 BREAK SNAFFLE BIT, When applied the single break snaffle bit squeezes the bars and tongue raising the head.
2 BREAK BIT, Double break bits have a middle component that sits on the tongue. Some extent of squeeze will occur.
FLEXIBLE BIT, Flexible mouthpieces wrap around the horse’s tongue and bars spreading the pressure.
CABLE BIT, Removes the centre links, creating a smooth more comfortable mouthpiece with rigidity, limiting the nutcracker effect. The spring back offers a quick release from pressure. The cable allows for lateral independence between reins.
BOMBERS BITS - TYPES OF CHEEKPIECE
LOOSE, A loose cheek piece moves vertically through the mouthpiece of the bit. The mouthpiece slips on the cheekpiece loose ring resulting in poll pressure while allowing the horse to react before the mouthpiece catches on the cheekpiece and is leveraged. With the release of the reins and tension the mouthpiece quickly returns to neutral.
FIXED, The mouthpiece is fixed to the cheekpiece, as the cheekpiece rotates under rein pressure the mouthpiece is leveraged in the horses mouth. With the release of the reins and tension the cheekpiece is slow to return to neutral. A fixed cheek piece is designed to sit closely to the horses.
FIXED & LOOSE, A unique group of cheek pieces are fixed against the cheek and exhibit the positive features of a loose ring. A fixed cheek piece is designed to sit closely to the horses lips, and encourages flexion. The loose ring will slip through mouthpiece resulting in some poll pressure but allowing for the horse to react before the mouthpiece starts to be leveraged.
THE GOAL OF BITTING
The horse takes and is receptive to contact, its head is settled and comfortable, with a relaxed mouth and increased salivation.
CONFORMATIONC
Before the bitting process starts, the horse conformation must be noted, for any factors which may contribute to the bit pressures and the horse’s preferences.
Take a wholistic view before bitting… it is important to remember the entire horse is an interlinked machine, with many factors needing to be perfectly balanced to find harmony. One factor of which is the bit and its immediate relationship with the horse’s tongue.
When bit fitting, seekout negative resistance to the bit, clear signs from the horse due to the bit alone… and not from an external factor.
Internal factors: Palate, Tongue, Canine, premolars & smile, Wolf Teeth, Lips, Jowls & Cheeks, The Lower Jaw
External factors: TMJ, Neck, Back, Teeth, Lameness, General condition, Composure
Bitting problems have several ways of manifesting themselves.
They can be directly related to the bit and its mechanics. Resulting in the horses head not settling and resisting bit contact… described as shaking, pulling or avoiding contact.
Alternatively, problems can originate from physiological discomforts… which can be seen from a holistic view in the movement of the horse. While having the neck, back and teeth checked can solve much of this… problems can persist as a result of peculiar mouth conformations.
EARLY SIGNS OF TONGUE SENSITIVITY
- Coming behind the bit
- Leaning
SEVERE TONGUE SENSITIVE
- Head shaking, left to right
- Sticking tongue out
- Sticking the tongue over
- Tongue sucked back
