Horse Bits: Discovering the Correct Bit for Your Horse

Discovering a bit that gives you the ability to talk clearly collectively together with your horse and one which he enjoys can actually really feel a bit like discovering a needle in a haystack. Whereas nothing can take the place of trial and error, Marty Whitehouse Riney, DVM, an equine vet specializing in dentistry and an skilled horse coach based totally in Kentucky, offers some recommendations on recommendations on easy methods to slender the look for the suitable mouthpiece.

Determining the Correct Bit Match for Your Horse

A bit that is too huge could also be heavy for a horse to carry; it would most likely set off him to rub his head or change into fussy when being bridled and whereas working. A bit that’s too small might trigger rather more factors by pinching the sides of the horse’s face or inflicting painful rubs.

Whereas your horse’s dental care specialist can advise on his primary mouth kind, don’t dismiss what you probably can determine by your self.

“Pull your horse’s lips apart and see how thick his tongue is as compared with others throughout the barn,” says Whitehouse Riney. “In case your horse is reasonably priced, you’ll be able to too see and punctiliously actually really feel the place the bit sits in his mouth.” This will likely help determine if his palate (the roof of his mouth) is low, which may level out what sort of bit is most cosy for him.

“It’s important to grasp that bit sizing and palate kind aren’t the be-all, end-all of bit match,” she continues. “It’s moreover important to be aware of how thick or skinny the horse’s tongue is, which might also make a distinction in bit match.”

Whitehouse Riney says among the finest methods to slender down your bit search is to take a look at these 5 points: Match, supplies, thickness, ring form, and joint. Whenever you uncover a mouthpiece that matches, you probably can then start deciding on totally different points spherical it, harking back to cheekpiece, diameter and supplies.

The Correct Bit Width and Match for Your Horse

A 5.5-inch bit width is taken under consideration “commonplace,” nevertheless a bit sizing software program can eradicate guesswork should you occur to don’t have bits of assorted sizes at your disposal. These devices are product of onerous plastic and seem like a deworming tube; they’re positioned throughout the nook of the horse’s mouth and slid via until touching the alternative nook. The measurement displayed corresponds to the bit measurement that will biggest match the horse.

A bit that matches appropriately will allow for a finger’s width of room between the horse’s cheek and the side of the bit.

Mouthpiece Supplies

One different issue to remember is that each horse is an individual, equivalent to us.

“What feels good in a horse’s mouth will vary by horse and their anatomy and head kind,” says Whitehouse Riney. How a bit feels to you, as a result of the rider, moreover performs a job discover among the finest bit. “The best way you expertise a horse is completely totally different than the way in which through which I do; it varies and depends on the individuality of the horse/rider partnership,” she explains.

Texture and weight of the bit can also come into play. Some horses could also be adamant about what mouthpiece provides they don’t like, elevating their heads when bridled or gaping their mouth as shortly as a result of the mouthpiece hits their tongue.

There are a selection of frequent mouthpiece provides obtainable, along with stainless-steel, rubber, sweet iron, copper, plastic, and even leather-based. Trial and error can get pricey, so it’s worthwhile to see if mates or barnmates have some bits you probably can borrow.

◆ Stainless-steel bits are the most common; these gained’t rust or flake and are pretty sturdy.

◆ Sweet iron and copper bits encourage salivation and leisure.

◆ Rubber and plastic bits aren’t as sturdy as metal bits, nevertheless they’re often most popular with horses with delicate mouths.

◆ Leather-based-based mouthpieces are generally cherished by horses which is perhaps extraordinarily delicate; these bits change into pliable and delicate when soaked with saliva.

Thickness, Ring Diameter & Joint Variety

One different measurement to consider is the thickness of the mouthpiece the horse is being requested to carry.

“Horses with petite, skinny tongues won’t have the flexibility to hold a bit with a standard mouthpiece circumference,” says Whitehouse Riney.

Ring form is one different provide of variability.

“Whenever you’ve received a horse that’s onerous to point out, a tough and quick cheekpiece, like these on an eggbutt or full cheek, can provide further stability,” she gives. “Completely different horses like bits that will slide a bit.”

Ring diameter in bits refers again to the measurement of the sides of O-ring, D-ring, eggbutt and loose-ring snaffles; the rings often vary in measurement from 2.5 to 4 inches.

It might seem there are a number of as many joint selections in bits as there are breeds of horse, and most horses are prone to desire a particular one. In a nutshell, a mouthpiece with a few joint shapes throughout the tongue and distributes stress over the tongue and bars. A bit that is broken in a single place places further stress on the bars, and a robust bit places stress on the middle of the tongue.

Set Up for Success

One of many easiest methods to test a bunch of bits is to take a look at a variety of in a single expertise, says Whitehouse Riney. The most effective method to try this is to haven’t lower than two bridles throughout the space with you, each with a novel bit on them, and a few further bits prepared throughout the wings, she advises. To make points go even faster, keep in mind putting quick-snaps on the ends of your reins.

“You gained’t desire a full expertise in a bit to resolve should you occur to and your horse want it,” says Whitehouse Riney. “Two to 4 minutes with it on and hacking spherical is masses to search out out should you occur to every want it.”

Evaluating bits on this fashion is type of like being on the optometrist, she says. It’s possible you’ll consider each bit to the others, figuring out if it’s worse or greater than the others you rode in sooner than.

“A great deal of discovering what your horse prefers is listening to what he’s telling you,” Whitehouse Riney says. Whenever you’ve received the possibility to go to a bitting clinic, go, she encourages it. That’s often an beautiful methodology to attempt a number of bits and determine what your horse prefers, multi purposeful afternoon.

In case you current, it’s important to know the bitting pointers of your self-discipline, Whitehouse Riney stresses. No one wants to find a bit their horse loves, solely to hunt out out it’s illegal throughout the current ring!

Further Learning
◆ To Bit or To not Bit?
◆ English Bit Fundamentals
◆ The best way to Choose a Western Bit

This textual content about discovering the suitable bit in your horse appeared throughout the September 2023 downside of Horse Illustrated journal. Click on on proper right here to subscribe!