The Myler System

Curved Mouthpiece (sometimes with a port) Many traditional bits lie flat on a horse’s tongue, restricting swallowing and leading to resistance. The generous forward curve of all Myler bits gives the horse room to swallow freely, encouraging him to relax and listen to the rider. The curve also ensures that pressure is evenly distributed across the tongue. Ports can be introduced for even more tongue relief as the horse progresses through his training.

The centre barrel present in nearly all Myler mouthpieces is not a roller but merely a sleeve covering the joint. It protects the tongue from getting caught in the joint; spreads the centre pressure over a wide, smoother area: ensures each half of the mouthpiece is of equal length (unlike a traditional single jointed snaffle); limits the degree of collapse of jointed bits - preventing the nut-cracker action of traditional snaffles; and allows independent side movement.

Some Myler Cheeks have slots, to fix the position of the bridle and reins on the cheek ring. The top slots are for the cheek pieces to stabilise the bit inside the horse’s mouth and hold it off the tongue when pressure is not being applied by the rider. This gives the horse a much clearer signal and reward. The rein slot gives the rider more leverage so the bit can be rotated onto the tongue to signal the horse effectively with less backward pressure on the reins.

Independent side movement (ISM) The clever engineering used in the Myler Bits allows the rider to isolate one side of the bit to give clear and unambiguous signals for lifting a shoulder and for balancing, bending, and collection. The joints in traditional bits often catch when one side is moved, preventing each side of the mouthpiece from working independently, and this can lead to contradictory signals and resistance.

The smooth Action Covered by the barrel, the patented bushing system in the Myler joints gives the bits a much smoother action than traditional bits and the horse therefore receives a much clearer signal. The joints on traditional bits will often catch and jerk and can trap a fleshy tongue, even making it bleed.

Small copper inserts on the mouthpiece act on the inside of the lips to encourage salvation. This helps to keep the mouth moist and comfortable. Some mouthpieces are also available in sweet iron to encourage salvation.

Myler mouthpieces are slimmer than many traditional bits, so as to fit comfortably in the horse's mouth. Most horses’ mouths simply do not have room for a very thick bit, which can cause constant pressure and discomfort to the tongue and therefore cause resistance.