An Overview of Bits and Bitting
  by Dwight G. Bennett, DVM, PhD

This article originally appeared as a presentation to American Association of Equine Practitioners Focus Meeting, 2006 - Indianapolis, IN, USA and then reproduced in the IVIS website with the permission of AAEP www.aaep.org. We reprint it here with permission by Dr. Bennett, whom we wish to thank. This is one of the best presenetations I have seen on bitting and though written with a veterinary audience in mind very readable by all.

How a horse's teeth should be floated depends on the horse's work, the individual horse and the type of bit used. Bitting requirements differ between horses used for western performance, English pleasure, polo, jumping, dressage, racing, and equitation A veterinarian should understand the action and purpose of bridles and bits, not only to provide optimal health care to horses' mouths but also to be able to address an owner's concerns about his horse’s performance.

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