Some Horse Equipment Should Not Be Used

by Caroline
Published May 21, 2025

Have you ever thought about horses and if they have any feelings? Yes, horses do have thoughts and feelings, especially about how they’re treated. For example, when you are feeding  them, do they whinny with joy or nuzzle you in delight?  They also have thoughts and feelings about the equipment we use. Here is why it is important to be aware that using bits  and tie-downs can hurt your horse. 

Bits are metal or metal and rubber equipment that stay inside the horses’ mouth and are used to help control horses and how they behave,  especially while they are being ridden. Bits let the rider be able to alert  the horse that it’s time to move by delivering pressure cues to the horse’s mouth through tension in the reins, which are held in the rider’s hands. 

Tie-downs are long, thin,  metal bars that are worn around the neck, 2 bars on each side with a circle-shaped bar that rests on the horse’s mouth. They are used to make sure that a horse does not throw its head up.

First of all,  bits are used around the mouth of the horse, and when its rider delivers pressure cues to it, it can cause a lot of pain to the horse  and may also affect its dental conditions. As for tie-downs, they can cause a handful of pain to the horse’s neck, head and forehead when they throw their heads up. They both are very dangerous to a horse.

Second, they could affect your horse and how it behaves around you. If you use bits and tie-downs each time you ride, you may receive a very frustrated reaction from your horse, and they might buck. Don’t underestimate them! But if you ride without bits and tie-downs each time, don’t worry about this warning, unless you think you might want to use this equipment to have more control of your horse.  then you might receive an affectionate nuzzle from your horse. If you want to ride without conflict, don't use any of these two pieces of equipment.

This is why it is important to know that with all equipment, it is possible for horses to get out of hand if they are not used the correct way.