Leverage on a Bit: Think about it

[@sbhemi17]

A- Bits are a funny rabbit hole, maybe worse than politics. B- Great video; made me think!

[@HorsemanshipAsAnArt]

might be worse than politics. Thank you

[@jth1195]

I always appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge. I am an old western fan. All those horses were ridden in a $5 hardware store grazing bit, same ones we all rode with, and the horses rode great. Some gaping and head tossing, but they were ridden by actors. I think bits are more to satisfy us than the horse. Brings me to another subject, the actors sat a trot and looked great doing it. Never seen one post.

[@HorsemanshipAsAnArt]

To some extent I reckon you are right about bits being more for us than the horse. I had a few horses that came off the set of Deadwood, that series in the early 2000's they were pretty sorry.

[@MarkMahnken]

All ya'll are wrong. If you have rein chains there is a pre signal to the bit. Also the lifting of the reins is a pre signal. If no rein chains it depends on how tight your chin strap is. The length of the longer shank adds power to your leverage not speed to contact assuming the short shank has the same design as the long shank. Just my ignant opinion.

[@HorsemanshipAsAnArt]

I can never tell if you are joking or not

[@joelhamilton6720]

Its worth THINKING on

[@HorsemanshipAsAnArt]

Not something humans are very good at

[@brucepeek3923]

A- you're wrong.. Hold the bridle with long shanks out at arms length in one hand pull on the rein- see how the bit moves.. As soon as the bit moves it is working.. the truth is when the bit moves whether fast or slow it is working.. best Bruce Peek

[@HorsemanshipAsAnArt]

Well no I am not wrong Bruce. Yes as soon as the bit is engaged the mouth piece rotates regardless of the length of the shank or the amount of leverage. However the longer the shank is and the greater the leverage the longer it takes for the curb to engage thus utilizing the leverage. Watch the video again and you will notice I am talking about leverage and not the length of the shank. The length of the shank is only half the equation, the length of the purchase must also be considered. The ratio between the two make the leverage. In mathematical theory I could have a bit with a six inch shank and a bit with a two inch shank and have the same leverage. I have bits with negative leverage so you actually loose some of the pull. Anyway unless you are dealing with a signal bit (anything with a port taller than the purchase) the communication from the bit comes from the curb being engaged and that signal comes slower if the leverage is higher. I hope that makes sense to you, if not let me know and I will try again.

[@HorsemanshipAsAnArt]

Sorry I just re read your comment. "The truth is when the bit moves whether fast or slow it is working" The first part of your comment said they are the same speed. I think you have yourself confused.

[@danemoore2302]

​@@HorsemanshipAsAnArt 99.9% of the people talking about bits in a comment section have themselves confused. Myself included part of the time

[@HorsemanshipAsAnArt]

@@danemoore2302 Its not that hard to do lol. I watched a little clip from Les Vought today, he is someone I learned a lot of this from, and I wondered why when he says it everyone loves it but when I say the same thing im an ass. Could be he has won more times than I have entered.

[@danemoore2302]

@@HorsemanshipAsAnArt could be lol. I've seen people say the same stuff in his comments too though. Mostly on Facebook though lol