Assessing his mouth conformation

A horse’s mouth is very sensitive and needs to be treated with care, so take time to study your horse’s mouth before reaching for a bit. You can easily do an assessment yourself but ask your equine dental technician for help if you’re unsure. “Gently part your horse’s lips at the side and check if his tongue is bulging through his teeth,” says Martin. “This tells you he has a large tongue, which is a cause of mouth discomfort if the incorrect bit is used. In some horses, the tongue protrudes at the front too.” Check what room your horse has between his tongue and the roof of his mouth – with and without a bit. Finally, take up a contact on the reins so you can see the areas of his mouth the bit is acting on and if it’s pinching or rubbing.”

Start simple

Lindsay Middleton is a bitting expert with Sprenger UK. She trains retailers to help customers choose the correct bit and she troubleshoots when things aren’t going to plan.

“I always recommend assessing horses in a simple bit – the KK Ultra for example, as this is a very neutral bit,” she says. “Ride in this and see how it feels. Is your horse mouthing it or leaning on it? Or are you having trouble turning or stopping? If any of these apply, it suggests it’s not correct.” Traditional thinking was that thicker bits were kinder but cause horses to lean and thinner bits were strong. But this opinion is changing. “Lots of horses struggle with thicker bits as they’re just too big and it can cause them to mouth the bit too much or, in some cases, not even be able to close their mouths, making the bit ineffective anyway,” adds Lindsay. “Thinner bits are becoming popular and are more comfortable for many horses. Inconsistency in contact is a good indication that a problem exists, so if your horse is on and off the contact when you ride, have his bit assessed. I still see lots of horses wearing the wrong choice or size of bit. If you’re unsure at all, you owe it to your horse to get some advice.”