HORSE SENSE: A vet's advice on when and how to use a chifney bit 02 February 2018 Premium

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02 February 2018

Irish Field Contributor on 02 Feb 2018

HORSE SENSE: A vet's advice on when and how to use a chifney bit

A chifney bit is a useful addition to your tack room but it’s not something you will need to use every day or on every horse, cautions veterinary surgeon Karen Dunne

Irish Field Contributor

2 February 2018

A chifney bit with an inverted port that sits over the tongue. This type of chifney has the potential to apply more tongue pressure than a chifney with a straight mouth piece

Straight bar chifney bit with rubber mouth piece

Here the chifney bit has been fitted over a head collar with a single headstrap, however the lead rope is only attached to the loose ring of the mouthpiece and not also to the centre ring on the head collar which will cause the bit to pivot excessively if the horse rears up or pulls away leading to severe pressure on the tongue, a painful experience for the horse and a potential soft tissue injury (Photo: Caroline Norris)

Here the chifney bit is attached to the rings on a head collar with bit clips. The lead rope is correctly attached to both the loose ring on the back of the chifney and the centre ring on the head collar, thereby stabilising the bit within the mouth (Photo: Alison Murphy)

The Dexter half spoon bit, pictured above on Hurricane Fly, is another version of a ring bit. It gives the jockey extra control and also reduces the likelihood of the bit getting pulled through the horse’s mouth (Photo: Caroline Norris)

A chifney bit, sometimes also called an anti-rearing or ring bit, is designed primarily for horses that are strong or difficult to lead in-hand

A chifney bit, sometimes also called an anti-rearing or ring bit, is designed primarily for horses that are strong or difficult to lead in-hand. It’s a useful piece of equipment and is used as a valuable means of additional restraint where necessary.

The majority of horses will not need this level of control but it can be very helpful in facilitating the safe and effective handling of very fresh or unruly animals. It is intended to be used when leading the horse, never during travel or when a horse is tied up.