The Importance of Understanding Bits in the Feedlot Environment By: Ted Howard, Production Animal Consultation By: Ted Howard, Production Animal Consultation I commonly see three types of bits being used in feedlots. The most common is the o-ring/d-ring snaffle I commonly see three types of bits being used in feedlots.cowboys The mosthave common is thethe o-ring/d-ring bit. Feedlot identified advantages snaffle of a bit. Feedlot cowboys have identified the advantages horse’s low head set and soft mouth when using this bit. of a horse’s low head and softbitmouth when using The second mostset common I see being used isthis a bit. three piece dog bone short shank bit. This bit can be used The second most common bit I see being used is to increase the pressure on the horse’s mouth, but is still a three piece dog bone short shank bit. This bit can be effective a horse’sthe lower head on set.the horse’s mouth, but used for to increase pressure Finally the three piece long shank is still effective for a horse’s lower headbit set.can work well when properly used by correct softshank hands.bit can work Finally the three piece long In the feedlot environment, not only does the well when properly used by correct soft hands. horse have to be taken consideration, but the effect In the feedlotinto environment, not only does the to be taken consideration, butalso the effect the horse horse’shave behavior has into on the cattle must be the horse’s behavior has on the cattle must also be acknowledged. acknowledged. Solid bar long shank bits with chain chin straps Solidunfavorable bar long shank bitsfeedlot with chain chin straps can be the most in the environment. can be the most unfavorable in the feedlot environment. These bits can be used to apply an extreme amount of These bits can be used to apply an extreme amount of pressure to the mouth. pressure tohorse’s the horse’s mouth. ThisThis pressure elevates thethehorse’s pressure elevates horse’shead head which which negatively affects pulling cattlecattle quietly and easily. Cattle negatively affects pulling quietly and easily. senseCattle the amount ofamount pressureofapressure horse isaunder reactand sense the horse and is under react accordingly. accordingly.
We need to recognize that every horse is different and the as effective for each Wesame needbit to isn’t recognize that every horsehorse. is If you you bit to control your horse different and thefeel same bitneed isn’tmore as effective for each there may be other horsemanship techniques that could horse. If you feel youthe need moreissue. bit to control yourwork on be used to address control If we will horse there may behands, other horsemanship techniques riding with soft we can use less bit in ourthat horse’s could be used to address the control issue. If we will mouth. work on riding soft hands, can usepressure less bit inwe can theweextreme As wewith understand ourcreate horse’s mouth. in our horse’s mouth with a severe bit, we can begin As we understand the extreme pressure we can to use bit and build successful partnership with our create in less our horse’s moutha with a severe bit, we can horse. begin to use less bit and build a successful partnership with our horse. Pictured above is the cowboy crew at Lane County Feeders. They o-ring bits.at Lane County Pictured above is all theuse cowboy crew Feeders. They all use o-ring bits.
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