Myler Bits
Combination Bit
The adjustments and versatility of this bit from starting colts to performance to trail riding.
We cannot emphasize enough the proper adjustment AND introduction to this bit to get the maximum out of it.
Click on images to enlarge
Putting the bit on the horse:
Lengthen headstall out so you can easily get it over the ears. Lengthen curb strap or unhook it when putting it on the first time.
With curb strap loose or unhooked, adjust headstall first
We suggest pulling the mouthpiece up to one wrinkle; that will put the mouthpiece all the way to the bottom of the bit ring. These bits have a higher purchase, so some headstalls will not adjust this high so you NEED to have one that will. Once you get this done, adjust your curband noseband so you can just barely get your little finger under the noseband or, in #2, one finger under the curb strap. #1 shows where the noseband should be.
Because the noseband is made of parachute cord and rawhide for flexibility it can drop too low, so we suggest tying a string or cord from the noseband to the browband or headstall crown. Tie the noseband so it cannot drop down on the soft spot of the nose and cut off the horse’s air. You want it just above the soft spot, but not too high. With this adjustment you will be working off mostly off nose pressure, letting your horse get used to carrying a bit without too much pressure in the mouth.
Taking a combination off:
Because of the adjustment of this bit it is VERY important to lower the headstall three or four holes on one side when taking it off or putting it on. This will allow you to get over the ears more easily. After putting it on, you can re-adjust the headstall.
This combination gives three rein placement options to give three different degrees of leverage:
#6: Rein position one – pulling straight back with both reins with light contact. The arrow points to a “stop” on the big ring which allows the mouthpiece to slide only so far. With the reins in this position the mouthpiece slides about a half inch before noseband pressure is felt your horse gets a chance to carry the bit with very little pressure in the mouth, working mainly off the nose.
#7: This picture is the second placement option showing the rein position with light contact.
Lower the mouthpiece, down from the one wrinkle we had, so that it’s just touching the corners of the mouth. Lowering the bit will also automatically loosen the curb. This is shown in picture #9. With this adjustment – pulling back with light contact – the mouthpiece will slide to the “stop” on the ring but since we lowered the headstall, we’ll still get only about one wrinkle and no real gag action. This will allow us to go more to the bit before the pressure on the nose.
This is a different cheek piece which also hs three rein positions. In this picture the reins are in the second postitions. In this picture the reins are in the second position. The arrows indicate positions one and three.
Introducing the combination bit, or any new bit, from the ground:
Demonstrates getting the horse soft vertically and understanding how to release pressure when he softens.
Demonstrates working to soften the horse laterally, allowing the horse to feel how this is working and learn to release the pressure. This exercise should be done from both sides.
Demonstrates how we also work these same exercises from the saddle before riding.
Demonstrates the combination with a tie-down and how it is added to the system.
Our combination is made with a rawhide noseband and leather curb.
Other options are: softening the noseband with several things, including vet wrap (pictured above in #3). The combination can be ordered with a one inch wide leather noseband (pictured above in #9). Curb straps change the authority of the bit. Leather is softest (pictured above in #2) followed by flat chain (pictured above in #9) and twisted chain (not shown).
Our handmade combination line offers a number of cheekpieces:
Illustrations:
Click on images to enlarge
