A BIT of help please??!

Question

excuse the pun couldnt help my self=]

Just wondering how you know what sie bit horses need?? My horse is 15.2 and is just trained he is using a snaffle and i was just wondering what size i have to buy?? or how i measure/ findout? thanks!

Answer 1

There is a tool - a black plastic tool that you put in the horses' mouth, s***w one side in to adjust to the proper fit.

Bits are typically available in 4.75" wide, 5" wide and 5.5" wide -drafts use bits even wider.  In most places you will find 5" wide bits which will fit the majority of horses.  Many you can order in narrower or wider widths.

Here's the cheapest way.  Take a piece of string, tie a knot in one end leaving a tail to hang onto with your fingers.  Put the string in his mouth (you'll need a helper to hold his head still - and pinch the other end of the string where the edge of his mouth is where the bit should be - now measure this.

If his current bit doesn't show slobber right up near the joint of mouth to cheek piece, it may be too wide.  If he's slobbering up and down the cheekpiece and the mouthpiece is clean, it's probably too narrow.

There's a great DVD on bits and bitting by the Myler brothers.  YOu can get the book and DVD on line at www.mylerbitsusa.com or your local tack store taht's a myler dealer.  They run about $25 and are a great knowledge center for bit mechanics - it will totally change the way you see and use bits.  I would suggest if you get it to watch the DVD first, then use the book for reference - it's hard to get the gist of the book the other way around.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

well it depends what kind of horse s(he) is but i have a quarter horse and a paint TB. apollo(quarter horse) he uses a copper and steel D snaffle roller and he loves that bit when i take it out of his mouth he wont let go of it!!! its funny!! but Kat (paint) shes uses a D ring snaffle and a curb chain cuz shes high-strung but i recommend a 5 or a 5 in  a half for ur horse but let me know what kind of horse u have ok thanks!!!

Answer 3

I would ask the person who trained him, that way you can not only get the right size but the same type he is used to. that is especially important in a horse who is "just trained"

Answer 4

Most average size horses use a standard 5" bit. If your horse's head is particularly wide, you may need to go up a 1/4 inch or so. They do make bit sizing devices so that you can measure your horse's mouth if you are unsure. The BitFit - see here: http://theoriginalbitfit.com/

ADD: I also found this website, which details how to measure your horse's mouth without spending $$ on the BitFit

http://equisearch.com/horses%5Friding%5F...

Answer 5

You just try out different bits and if the rings are in the horses mouth, it's too small. If the sides of the bit are hanging out, it's too big.

Answer 6

take a straw and stick it in his mouth(horizontal)wher the bit would go and take a sharpie and mark it on each sideand take it out and measure it with a ruler.

good luck