05/06/2026
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What do you see? 👇 This is what we see. Perhaps you see differently?
1. Mouth and Lip Seal
Top horse
* The lips parted, mouth open
* The tongue maybe blue from compression
* Excessive saliva dripped onto the chest
* The horse’s lip seal broken for correct breathing
* Nostrils tight, nose wrinkled
Bottom horse
* Lips and mouth closed
* No disruption of the mouth
* No saliva
* Natural appearance of muzzle
2. Head and Neck Posture
Top horse
* The neck has visible “break” or acute angle in the upper-to-mid cervical region
* Head behind the vertical
* Neck posture highly compressed
* The throat lash area compressed
Bottom horse
* Head in front of the vertical
* Poll is highest point
* Neck less compressed.
* Open angle through throat-latch
3. Rein Contact
Top horse
* Reins visibly taut
* Visible tension on the bits - the shank bit especially compressing the tongue and causing the mouth to open
Bottom horse
* No reins
* No bit
* Self-carriage
* No compression on the sensitive oral cavity so mouth closed
4. Forelimb Loading
Top horse
* One forelimb elevated dramatically, does not match hind leg elevation
* Supporting forelimb loading significant proportion of body mass, fetlock is severely distended
Bottom horse
* Forelimb and hind limb elevation match
* Loading on supporting forelimb is not severe
5. Facial Expression
Top horse
* Eye is tense.
* Muzzle is tight
* Mouth movement is visible
Bottom horse
* Eye is soft
* Muzzle is relaxed
* No mouth movement
Given the growing body of evidence that bits cause pain and that hyper flexion is a recognised welfare concern, why do governing bodies continue to require bitted competition while excluding modern ethical bit-free bridle alternatives? Is it because the top horse could not be ridden without force and pain due to inadequate and inappropriate training?
