Question about "Bits"

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Have heard trainers talk about mouth issues affecting responsiveness as well. Funny Cide famously had a tender mouth, and Tagg/Smullen went to a soft (leather or rubber?) bit after the Holy Bull (January 2003) with which he was much more comfortable.

At least in riding horses, rubber bits are great to get the horse to "play" with the bit and become more accepting of it rather than strong arming him with a bit with a long shank, gag, or a high port. You're much better off trying to get a horse to listen to you through softness, either through hands or bit, than something harsh when the horse is going to win 99.9% of the time.