finally, finally, finally watching the end of henry iv part one

a. OMG THAT CHARGE SCENE, WAS THAT REAL SNOW!? OMG RIDING ON SNOW IS REALLY SCARY ESPECIALLY THE PATCHY MELTY SNOW SEEN IN THE MOVIE

I SERIOUSLY CAN’T BELIEVE THEY DID THAT OMG

b. Why are so many horses in period films ridden in driving bits? Butterfly bits are the ones I notice most, but I feel like I’ve even seen some half cheeks and other strange things. Also, when I say “period films,” I mostly mean Renaissance and earlier or fantasy, since modern bits aren’t really out of place in, like, the 18th century. I assume they want leverage bits so even actors who aren’t comfortable on horseback will have relatively effective brakes, but do people think driving bits look more old-timey or something? I really don’t think they do, and as far as I understand How Bits Work (which is pretty well imo)  the action isn’t different from any other curb bits. There are SO many other options for leverage bits that wouldn’t be so jarring to my eye.