Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement. Shop with 100% confidence at Dover Saddlery. The Easiest and Best Guarantee in The Business Your equine dentist, veterinarian or a knowledgeable trainer can help you determine whether your horse's palate is normal or high, which could allow for a thicker bit, or very low, which could reduce the thickness of the bit that may be used. A small or average sized tongue lies below or level with the bars of the mouth a thick tongue rises above the bars or spills over the bars and between the teeth. You can usually identify the conformation of the horse's mouth by prying open the side of the lips.
RUNNING GAG BIT PLUS
The height of the palate (roof of the mouth) plus the thickness of the tongue determines the amount of space available for the bit. A bit should never be too thick in relation to the space in a horse's mouth. With this in mind, also consider the conformation of a horse's mouth when choosing bit width. Similarly, in general, the thicker the bit, the more gentle its action on the horse's mouth because the pressure is distributed over a wider surface. This measurement may be in inches or millimeters.įor most horses, the thinner the bit, the more severe its action is on the horse's mouth because the pressure from the bit is exerted on a narrower surface.
Mark the spots on the string that meet the corners of the horse's mouth, then lay the string against a ruler to obtain your bit length measurement.Īs described previously, depending on the type of bit you're selecting, you may want to add 1/4 to 1/2 inch to your measurement.īit width refers to the bit circumference at the widest part of the mouthpiece.
RUNNING GAG BIT SKIN
Otherwise, the horse's skin can become pinched into the holes as the action of the loose rings works with the reins. For a loose ring snaffle or any bit with moveable rings, make sure that your horse's lips completely clear the bit ring holes by 1/8 inch on each side.
RUNNING GAG BIT FULL
A full cheek snaffle, Pelham or elevator bit should sit snuggly next to your horse's cheeks, but should not squeeze or pinch. The specific type of bit you choose will influence slightly the desirable bit length. A bit that is too long can slip sideways in a horse's mouth, becoming ineffective and causing soreness. This would indicate the bit length is too short, and the horse may feel pinching at the sensitive corners of his mouth.Ĭonversely, if you see a 1/2 inch or more on each side between the lips and bit rings, the bit is too long. When attached to an appropriately adjusted bridle, a bit should rest comfortably at the corners of a horse's mouth and shouldn't press too hard against a horse's face. This measurement is usually provided in inches and fractions of an inch, such as 5 inch or 5 1/2 inch. To find the right size bit for your horse or pony, consider both the length of the mouthpiece and the width of the mouthpiece in combination with the conformation of your horse's mouth.īit length corresponds to the width of your horse's mouth.
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