Myler
The question that fills every bitting thread is the same one: "Which Myler level does my horse actually need?" The answer surprises most riders, because the Myler system runs opposite to how we're taught to think about bits: when a horse resists, he needs more tongue relief, not more leverage. Our Myler collection carries hundreds of mouthpieces, cheeks and sizes so you can follow that logic to the right bit.
What Riders Are Actually Asking
What do Myler Levels 1, 2 and 3 really mean?
Levels describe tongue relief, not severity. Level 1 mouthpieces roll onto the tongue and apply the most tongue pressure, which is exactly what a green horse needs while he learns to give to the rein — that's the MB 02, MB 03 and MB 09T range. Level 2 adds a low port or forward-tilted port for partial tongue relief, so bits like the MB 04 and MB 06 suit a horse who understands rein aids and is starting to carry himself. Level 3 mouthpieces such as the MB 33 and MB 33WL have a wide ported barrel for maximum tongue relief and work primarily off the bars, poll and curb — reserved for finished horses with a solid disposition. Putting a green horse in a Level 3 is the most common mistake riders report.
My horse fights the bit — should I go stronger?
Usually the opposite. Head tossing, gaping, rooting and refusing to soften are classic signs of tongue pressure the horse can't escape. Moving from a single-jointed snaffle into a Level 1 Myler comfort snaffle, or from a Level 1 into a Level 2 low port, often quiets the argument without adding leverage at all. If a horse is resisting a traditional snaffle, the Myler answer is a level change, not a harsher shank.
How do I size a Myler — do they run big?
Yes, and this trips up almost everyone. Myler measures from where the curve of the mouthpiece begins rather than where it meets the cheek, so a Myler typically measures about 1/8" to 1/4" larger than the same stated size in another brand. That's deliberate: the Mylers want 1/8" to 1/4" of clearance on each side of the mouth. If your horse goes in a 5" conventional snaffle, a 5" Myler will usually be right — but measure rather than guess, and check for lip bruising after the first few rides. We stock most mouthpieces from 4 3/4" through 5 1/2".
Hooks or no hooks?
Hooks are the small slots on the cheek that let you attach a curb strap and a second rein or converter. With hooks, one bit gives you both direct rein action and a degree of indirect action, so you can change how the bit talks to your horse without changing bits. Without hooks, the bit stays a straightforward snaffle. Riders who show in more than one discipline generally choose hooks; riders who want one clear, simple signal skip them. We also stock replacement stainless curb strap hooks (#89-0041) for a few dollars if yours go missing.
My sweet iron bit is rusting — is it ruined?
No. Sweet iron is designed to oxidize, and that light surface rust is what produces the sweet taste horses respond to. Pair it with the copper inlay or copper roller found on most Myler mouthpieces and you get the salivation and relaxed jaw that Myler is known for. Rinse and dry the bit after use, but don't scrub the patina off or store it in a way that lets heavy pitting build up.
Are Myler bits worth $150 to $200?
Forum opinion is genuinely split, and it's worth being honest about that. Riders who see a transformation credit the independent side movement — the mouthpiece sides move separately, so you can isolate one rein, lift a shoulder and articulate a bend without the bit collapsing across the whole mouth. Riders who were disappointed almost always had a sizing or level mismatch. The bits hold up for years of hard use, so cost per season is low if you get the fit right.
How to Choose the Right Myler Bit
- Start with disposition, not discipline: a nervous or green horse belongs in Level 1 regardless of whether you ride English or Western.
- Match the cheek to the job: Dee and eggbutt for steering a young horse, baucher for a stable dressage contact, HBT and seven shank for Western leverage, and the MB 36 three-ring combination for a strong horse on the trail or in the arena.
- Check your rulebook before you buy: several Myler mouthpieces, including MB 04 and MB 33WL options, are USEF dressage legal — but shanks and combination bits are not.
- Change one variable at a time: switch the mouthpiece or the cheek, not both, so you can tell which change your horse actually answered.
Brands Riders Trust
Myler bits are built and distributed through Toklat, which is why you'll see both names on the box and on some listings. That partnership keeps the levels, mouthpiece numbers and finishes consistent year after year — an MB 04 you buy today matches the MB 04 in your tack room. We stock the full range in stainless steel, black steel and sweet iron with copper inlay.
Hooves and Paws has been outfitting horse and pet owners for over 30 years. Our Myler collection runs from small curb strap hardware to premium combination bits, in the sizes and levels riders actually ask for, and every order ships fast from our own shelves.
