Before purchasing a spade bit, it is important to realize that they are not all created the same. Some come with more tongue relief than others, a larger shank, more pinchless mouth protection and other qualities. When a trainer simply purchases the first one he sees at the store, he will probably walk away with a dud.
The spade bit has been used for decades by horse trainers who follow Vaquero traditions. The bit itself is supposed to improve communication between horse and rider, building trust while ensuring the accuracy of commands. Nevertheless, it can be abused just as easily as any other bit, and in some ways it presents more of a danger to the horse's mouth.
Leverage vs. Signal
The first misconception that most horse trainers make about the spade bit is that it must be a leverage bit. This is indicated by the long shanks on either side of the mouthpiece, which are used in traditional curb bits for leverage. Spade bits, however, are actually "signal" bits, which means that they encourage engagement of the horse through the mouth.
Leverage bits, by definition, create a lever action with the horse's tongue. When the rider picks up the reins, the shanks lift up and back, putting pressure on the tongue. Signal bits, such as the spade bit, perform a similar action to the hackamore. This is practical since most horse trainers start horses in hackamores when they follow Vaquero traditions.
Tongue Relief
Many horse trainers mistakenly believe that "tongue relief" in a bit is a good thing, so they look for this when choosing a spade bit. The name implies that the bit is softer or more forgiving of the tongue, whereas it actually refers to the height of the bar at the center of the mouthpiece. More tongue relief means that the bit is harsher on the horse.
Spade bits, when made correctly, present no tongue relief for the horse. The mouthpiece consists of a single straight bar from one shank to the other, giving the horse the freedom to "work the bit" at his leisure. This is why a horse wearing a spade bit will often be seen with saliva dripping from his mouth; he is tonguing the bit constantly, which shows that he is listening to the rider.
Balance
One of the most important aspects of purchasing a spade bit is balance. In Vaquero traditions, the goal of the rider is to achieve a perfect balance and symmetry with his horse. The spade bit is designed to facilitate this level of communication. When making a purchase, check to be sure that the shanks are equally formed and well balanced from the center of the mouthpiece.
Safety
Is the spade bit safe for horses? That depends on the rider. Any bit can be abused if the rider is too heavy-handed or brutal with his hands; a simple snaffle can cause bruising, tears and lacerations of the mouth. Riders who are harsh with their hands should avoid the spade bit until they learn how to communicate more softly and effectively.
It is also important to understand Vaquero traditions before implementing spade bits. Without an understanding of this methodology, the spade bit becomes nearly useless as a training tool.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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