I'd love to have lots of bits. I've got like 2-3.
I've had lots of what I consider real horsemen around here tell me it's best to switch out bits frequently, keep one special one for when your competeing and use it only for that. The rest of the time use different stuff. They say that keeps them from getting "hard" to a bit. I'm coming around to believing that.
Becky
I've read that. Use a mild bit for practice then to go a stronger bit for competition, that way they'll be more responsive. I don't compete but the same scenario works for Tuffy. I use a mild bit for as long as I can, til he starts lugging on it. Then I switched to a sweetwater shanked bit to get his respect back. Funny thing is, he never lugs on the sweetwater.
My horse used to respond especially well to a kimberwicke. The smallest amount of pressure from my hands was all he needed, and he kept a lovely arch to his neck as well.