Question # 344: Question about pulling down on the bars of the horse's mouth...

I took a lesson from a dressage instructor last week and am confused about something she said.  We were on a circle when she told me to use the bit on the "bars".  She had me using an opening inside rein, pulling down on the outside rein while keeping my hands far apart.  My mare was giving and soft, chewing the bit, so it was working.  What is the bit usually on? I thought it always sits on the horse's bars, so I'm a bit confused. Also,it's very difficult to recreate it at home.  Can you clarify this for me? (Anonymous)

The bars of the horse's mouth are extremely sensitive, and many riding disciplines take advantage of this fact by using downward pressure on the bars to teach the horse to submit to rein pressure by lowering their head. An example of this is... (Click on Question Title above to read full answer)