Chewing Gum for Your Horse. Yes, Really.
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Chewing Gum for Your Horse. Used by Olympians. Available in Australia.
If you've seen GumBits floating around the equestrian world and wondered what on earth it actually does — this post is for you.
Because it's one of those products that sounds gimmicky until you understand the science. And once you understand the science, the fact that some of the world's best riders swear by it starts to make complete sense.
What Is GumBits?
GumBits is a chewing supplement for horses — small, sweet balls made from all-natural FDA approved ingredients that you feed to your horse before riding.
No syringes. No complicated routines. Pop them in and ride.
What Does It Actually Do?
When a horse chews, it triggers the salivation process. Salivation leads to a relaxed jaw. A relaxed jaw leads to a softer, more accepting mouth. A softer mouth leads to better contact, better communication and a happier horse.
You'll often hear bit fitters and trainers talk about wanting to see "happy foam" — the white lather around a horse's mouth during work. That foam is one of the most reliable indicators of a horse working correctly, not just mechanically going through the motions. It means the horse is salivating, chewing softly and genuinely relaxed in the contact.
GumBits accelerates that process.
In practical terms it:
✅ Promotes salivation and happy foam ✅ Eliminates teeth grinding ✅ Encourages chewing activity and jaw relaxation ✅ Helps horses settle into contact — especially at competitions ✅ Is completely safe — all natural, palatable and horse-approved
What the World's Best Riders Say
This is where it gets serious.
GumBits has been used at the highest levels of equestrian sport internationally for over 12 years. These aren't social media influencers. These are Olympic and championship competitors who put results above everything.
"I use the GumBits to encourage my horses to salivate and relax the jaw. I find the horses like the taste of them!"
— Mary Hanna, 7 Time Australian Dressage Olympian
"When learning about GumBits, I was immediately interested in trying them. After a few rides it became clear just how much GumBits improved the horses' performances — and as a bonus it couldn't be easier to use when schooling and at shows. GumBits is a wonderful noninvasive training tool perfect for not just dressage but every phase of eventing."
— Hawley Bennett Awad, 2 Time Canadian Eventing Olympian
"I don't think there is anything else like it on the market. GumBits have helped my horses stay relaxed and focused for many years. I swear by them for horses that need help staying on track for the show ring."
— Augusta Iwasaki, 2022 Champion of All — ASPCA Maclay National, Washington Equitation Finals & USEF Show Jumping Talent Search
"I love GumBits because they help my ponies relax and stay focused in the show ring. We've been using them for years, and they've become an important part of our routine when competing. The ponies love them too!"
— Lauren Rahal, Canadian Pony Hunter Winner
"I genuinely love GumBits for Finn. They've made a noticeable difference for him, especially in helping him stay relaxed and confident in the contact, and I've been using them consistently in his training."
— Claire Tucker, US Junior Dressage Champion & Champion Barrel Racer
"I love GumBits for the fact that working with difficult and demanding horses becomes much easier and more enjoyable. You can improve the comfort of working with a difficult horse in a very friendly way — because GumBits do not harm horses in any way."
— Nina Sokalska, Poland
Seven time Australian Dressage Olympian. Two time Canadian Eventing Olympian. National champions across hunters, jumpers and dressage. All using the same product. All saying the same thing.
That's not marketing. That's a pattern.
Who Is It For?
Honestly? Any horse. But it's particularly powerful for:
The competition horse — horses that are fine at home but tense, grinding or wound up at events. The change of environment triggers anxiety that shows up in the jaw first. GumBits takes the edge off without sedating or altering performance.
The dry-mouthed horse — some horses just don't produce much saliva under work. You'll see dry, tight contact, minimal foam and often a horse that feels heavier in the hand than they should. GumBits addresses this directly.
The teeth grinder — teeth grinding is a stress response. It looks like the horse is working the bit but it's actually tension, not relaxation. GumBits redirects that energy into genuine chewing and salivation.
The horse that holds tension in the jaw — even horses with correct bitting can carry tension through the jaw, particularly warmbloods and sport horses under pressure. A relaxed jaw changes everything further down the topline.
How Do You Use It?
Place the GumBits in your horse's mouth a few minutes before you ride. The sweet taste encourages immediate chewing, the salivation process kicks in and by the time you're mounted and walking, your horse's jaw is already softer than it would have been.
One thing to note: some horses with very fussy mouths may spit out the small balls initially. If your horse is a known spitter, start with the single sachet to test their response before committing to a full pack.
Try Before You Commit
We stocked the single sachet option for exactly this reason — because we believe in letting the product speak for itself.
One sachet. One ride. See what you think.
The Bottom Line
A relaxed jaw is not a small thing. It's the foundation of correct contact, correct movement and a horse that is genuinely with you — not just tolerating the ride.
If it's good enough for the Olympic stable, it's probably worth trying in yours.
Noticing tension, grinding or contact issues that GumBits alone doesn't resolve? It might be time to look at what's in your horse's mouth. Book a Bit Bank Australia fitting and we'll assess everything — mouth conformation, bit fit and metal choice.