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Performax Bits and Spurs

Fifteen-time world champion develops first-of-its-kind line of bits and spurs. Les Vogt's Performax bits offer "form-to-function" advantages.

SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA— What do you look for in a bit? If you're like most, you probably choose the one that strikes you as the prettiest. Or, if you're the sort that insists on function over form, you might take the advice of a fellow rider who has had luck with a particular model. But chances are, the selection process is far from scientific, and you have had little reason to expect a bitting program to significantly improve your horse's performance.

Until now. After more than 20 years at the drawing board and in the arena on test runs, legendary cow horse reinsman and master bit designer Les Vogt has finally developed a line of bits that actually corrects a horse's posture to maximize performance.

The 15-time world champion knows that, for performance horses—whether reiners, cutters or cow horses—it's all about the stop. To stop efficiently, a horse must transfer his weight from his front to his hindquarters on the fly. But each horse's unique conformation dictates, to some degree, just how easy it is for him to transfer that weight. For example, some horses carry their necks too high, which can cause the back to drop as you tighten the reins. And some carry their necks too low and have heavy shoulders, which distributes too much weight to the forehand.

After observing such tendencies with his own and his clients' horses over the years, Les set his mind to determining exactly what, if any, effects the bit has on neck position—and, in turn, on performance. The results of his labor have revolutionized the bit industry.

The form-to-function theory behind Les' new Performax bits makes it possible, for the first time in history, to correct a horse's performance by influencing his posture with a customized mouthpiece and cheekpiece combination. The specially designed cheekpieces lift or lower a horse's neck as necessary, thereby influencing how he carries his entire body during competition. It's as easy as 1-2-3: Leverage position 1 is designed for the short-necked horse with a low neck set that needs some lift at the poll to flex properly and re-distribute weight to its hindquarters (see figure 1). Leverage position 2 gives the classic-necked horse the performance advantages of perfect neck flexion and head position (see figure 2). And leverage position 3 is designed to lower the head and neck of the horse with a higher carriage, giving him the soft flexion needed to increase performance (see figure 3).

But that's not all. Just as every horse has a unique conformation, they all differ in mouth sensitivity. Performax bits allow you to further customize the bit according to mouthpiece intensity. Mouthpiece #1 is mild to provide all the responsiveness a sensitive horse needs. In contrast, if your horse requires serious iron to get him to pay attention, up the flavor to "hot" with mouthpiece #3.

"If we put a hotter mouthpiece in a lower leverage position," explains Les, "it will give you the feeling in his mouth that you need, and you're still getting the neck position you need. Or if you said, 'My horse is an old, spoiled, used horse that's worn out, and when I go to show him, it feels like no one's home when I ask him to slow down,' that's when I'd say to put a pair of 3s on him—3 leverage position, 3 mouthpiece. That is the ultimate."

Les has further improved his bits with his own "pinchless" tube-and-ball hinges and precision roller bars that help to draw saliva from the horse's mouth, allowing for more viscosity.

Les has personally tested all of his bits during clinics and in competition, and his customers can attest that Performax bits live up to their promise. Unlike the bits of the past, they are easy to choose, easy to use and guaranteed to work.
"I've tried them in so many clinics," he says. "I've watched some of these horses that are just basically non-performers that, gosh, turn into performers within an hour. It's incredible!"

There's no denying that Les Vogt's Performax bits and spurs are of a quality unsurpassed in any price range. And yet they are surprisingly affordable. Each bit and spur is hand-engraved and inlaid or overlaid with a special alloy that is indistinguishable from sterling silver, except in price: Performax bits and spur sets retail for a very reasonable $79–$99. And, for those who prefer sterling, Les also offers the Les Vogt's Flat Creek line, which features the same designs in silver and retails for $350–$400 per piece.

But the true value comes in the versatility of Les Vogt's bits. Most trainers have as many as 50–100 bits because they know you never can tell what bit will work best for any given horse. Now, even if you have a barn full of horses, all you need are nine bits total—"hot," "medium" and "mild" mouthpieces for each of the three leverage positions—to get a customized fit guaranteed to compliment the performance of any horse in the world.

Performax bits and spurs, as well as a newly released video explaining the form-to-function theory behind the bitting program, are available at your local tack store. To request a catalog, call 1-888-LES-VOGT, or order online at www.lesvogt.com.

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