This course is intended to introduce a qualitative understanding of the field of bits and bitting. After completing this course the student will have been introduced to the major principles of the subject. The emphasis is on design and operation of bits in the context of the head and mouth anatomy of the horse and the rider position. The student completing this course will be able to identify and rationally argue against many common misconceptions that can be found in the popular literature on the subject.
This course is intended to introduce the physical principles of the bit and bitting. Unlike other treatments of the subject, this course will analyse bits from their operational perspective using simple mechanical models and backed up by experimental test data where possible. The student will become able to categorise bits in terms of their operational behaviour. The principles rely on a certain basic level of mathematical analysis. It is recommended that the open access course Mathematics and the Bit is studied for those who require support in this area.