The Complete Book of Bits and Bitting Elwyn Hartley Edwards ISBN 0715307835 amazon.com $24.47 amazon.ca  $38.26 amazon.co.uk £16.99 More information ORDER YOUR COPY FROM AMAZON.CA OR AMAZON.CO.UK Click on your country of choice then add the book to your shopping cart.
Acreage Equines rating Reviewed by: Elizabeth Gredley List of all books reviewed

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If you want to learn about bits, go to Edwards' The Complete Book of Bits and Bitting. Using lots of photographs and illustrations, Edwards explains the different classes of bits, how they affect the horse and what different variations are intended to achieve.

After a fascinating look at the history of bits, Edwards begins with the basic principles of bitting, and what he calls "The Law of the Bit". The pressure and effect of the bit vary according to the construction of the bit, the conformation of the mouth, the angle of the horse's mouth in relation to the rider's hand, and the type and fitting of any accessory.

He says that in order to understand how bits work in riding, you have to understand the bits themselves, the parts of the horse's head and mouth involved in fitting a bridle, the conformation of the mouth, and the effect such auxiliaries as martingales and nosebands have on the bit's action. When you've finished the book, you'll have a much better understanding than you did when you started.

Edwards clearly explains all the different bits -- snaffles, curbs, double bridles, gags, pelhams, nose or bitless bridles and all their variations -- in practical terms. Particularly enlightening are his chapters on "aids to the bit", including nosebands and various reins and martingales including the Chambon and de Gogue. 

Whether you ride English or western, if you're serious about riding, Edwards' book belongs in your library. You'll find out what the bit you're using is actually doing -- or not doing -- to your horse. This book is excellent on all counts.

Chapter Titles

Part I: The Bit Develops
Part II: Principles and Mechanics
Part III: Bits and Bitting
1. The Snaffle
2. The Double Bridle
3. The Pehlam
4. Gag Bits
5. Nose or Bitless Bridles
6. Western Bitting and the Hackamore System
Part IV: The Mouth and Fitting
Part V: Aids to the Bit and Common Evasions
Martingales
Nosebands
Draw/Runninng Reins
Side-Reins
Balancing Reins
Chambon/de Gogue
Common Evasions
Part VI: Specialist Bitting: Polo, Driving & Harness Racing
Part VII: Metals and Materials