Hollow Mouth
What is the difference between a solid mouth and hollow mouth bit?
i'm looking for a new bit for my horse and just curious what difference if any is there between solid and hollow mouth?
Weight.
A heavy weight bit is a fast acting bit. When you put pressure with the rein, the arm of the bit moves quickly and definitely. More important from the horse point of view, is that when you release (not throw away, just ease the pressure, say on the backside of a halfhalt) pressure, the heavy weight releases quickly. Particularly when combined with a loose ring, this is a very precise bit; the horse is rewarded immediately for giving to the aid when the rider allows the contact to lighten. The horse is also encouraged to "follow" the bit down when the contact is lightened by the heavy weight of the bit vs gravity.
A featherweight or hollow mouth bit on the other hand, moves more slowly in the horse's mouth, particularly on the release. It allows the horse to hold the bit more, and an insecure horse who is frightened by the firm/precise movement of a heavier bit, so it may be better accepted. Often young horses are started in hollow or featherweight bits so as not to startle them too much. This bit "takes" contact well, but is slower to reward with a release of contact.
Two bits that visually look the same, one lightweight, and one heavy are neither one more severe than the other. Medium weight is attempting to be a compromise, but like an all purpose saddle, it has no real purpose other than trying to please everyone all the time.
I prefer a heavyweight bit; I know when the horse has gotten the message and I can release the contact more quickly. As a dressage rider, I need to have good half halts, and for me, the release of the contact is when the sparkle of the gait happens. Many Jumper riders prefer featherweight or hollow mouth bits as they feel it allows the horse to have more freedom to have their heads up where they can see what's coming with the next jump.
add--if you want to know how different bit rings work, see this question/answer: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;…
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