Diagram of Horse's Head showing Position of Bit

Fear of the Bit Part I

W. Robert Cook FRCVS, PhD

Black = bone
Gray = soft tissue
Red = areas of special sensitivity supplied by terminal branches of the mandibular nerve
Yellow = areas of special sensitivity supplied by terminal branches of the maxillary nerve

peak of the nasal bone (with which the noseband of the Bitless Bridle is in contact)
ventral turbinate bone
entrance to the middle meatus (a passage that connects with the sinuses)
false nostril (this space becomes eliminated when the nostrils dilate at exercise)
ventral meatus (the major nasal airway)
hard palate (contacted by high ports and spade bits)
the tip or free portion of the tongue (continuous with the body and root of the tongue)
upper lip
cannon
port
cheek bar
shank
lower lip
chin groove (so-named because it is the line of skin under the body of the mandible with which the curb chain comes in contact but it is not really a ‘groove’)
mental foramen, the point at which the mandibular nerve emerges from the jaw to supply sensation to the bars of the mouth and the lower lip