Selecting a Myler Bit

Myler mouthpiece designs correspond to the Myler Level of a horse's behavior and experience. The mouthpiece Levels start at Level 1, which apply maximum tongue pressure, and go up to Level 3, which apply minimum tongue pressure and provide the most tongue relief. Most horses can avoid Level 1 altogether; it's quite possible that your horse can enter the Myler System at Level 2, 2-3, or even 3. The overview of mouthpiece levels here explains how the design and function changes from level to level.

To measure your horse accurately, you will need a wooden dowel or the handle of a wooden spoon.

• 1. Insert the dowel in your horse's mouth where the bit would normally sit.
• 2. Wait until the horse relaxes in his mouth and stops chewing on the dowel.
• 3. Mark the dowel on each side of the face, where the lips end.
• 4. Remove the dowel and measure between the two marks.

• Rotates on the tongue to apply tongue pressure
• Collapses to form a "U" instead of a "V," protecting the lips and bars from being pinched
• Curves to allow more room for the tongue, protects the lips and bars from being pinched
• Independent Side Movement on most mouthpieces

• Offers tongue relief with either a small port or flexible mouthpiece
• Rotates on the tongue to apply some tongue pressure
• Collapses to form a "U" instead of a "V," protecting the lips and bars from being pinched
• Curves to allow more room for the tongue, protects the lips and bars from being pinched
• Independent Side Movement on most mouthpieces

• Ported, offering more tongue relief than levels 1 or 2
• Correctional mouthpieces that apply some pressure or curb mouthpieces that apply little tongue pressure
• Uses more bar, poll, chain pressure than level 1 or 2
• Curves to allow more room for the tongue
• Options with and without Independent Side Movement

• Curb bits with wider ports for maximum tongue relief, little to no tongue pressure
• Uses primarily bar, poll, and curb pressure
• Curves to allow more room for the tongue
• Options with and without Independent Side Movement