Your Horse (UK)

Sizing up

Ensure the right size and fit a bit with these simple tips

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Measuring your horse

“I advise using a template as it’ll be super accurate. Sprenger have metal ones that you can buy or cardboard versions that are free at saddlers,” says Lindsay. “As an alternativ­e, use a wooden spoon. Place the handle in your horse’s mouth where the bit sits, then mark on the spoon where it exits the mouth on both sides before removing. Measuring between these marks gives you the length. For a loose ring bit, add around 1.5cm so there’s room between the lips and rings. Full cheeks, Weymouths and eggbutts brush against the lips giving a snug but not tight fit.” When measuring for thickness, Lindsay simply uses her fingers. “Put your index and middle fingers into the mouth where the bit sits. You’ll find that one will slide over the other. The upper and lower jawbone will exert pressure on your fingers – if it’s strong pressure you’ll need a thinner bit (14 – 16mm) and little or no pressure indicates there’s room for something thicker (16 – 18mm). Always reassess once the bit is in use.” Event rider Ros uses other bits to get the fit right. “We have work bridles in the tack room, all with bits already attached. I try a few on until I find one that fits,” she says. “You can download measuring templates from the internet too, which are really useful, particular­ly if you’re not confident in what you’re looking at.” Martin adds: “The bit is positioned so that your horse has one or two wrinkles at the corners, although this depends on how long or short his lips are – you may need more wrinkles with short lips but be careful that you don’t overdo it. If it hangs too low, it’ll move backwards and forwards as you ride, which is extremely uncomforta­ble and could do damage to the teeth, lips and palette.”

Measuring the bit

Put the bit on a flat surface, pulling it slightly to ensure it’s fully extended. Use a ruler and measure the bit from one end to the other. A ruler is more accurate than a soft tape measure because you can’t stretch it. On loose ring bits, the thickness is measured at the thickest part, just before the holes that the rings slide through. On full cheek bits and eggbuts, thickness is measured right next to the cheekpiece­s. Put the ruler on the flat surface and the bit on top to get an accurate measuremen­t. The rings are measured from the inside to the inside across the diameter, while fixed cheeks are measured from the top to the bottom of the cheekpiece, including the bobbles at either end. Shanks on Weymouths are measured from below the mouthpiece to the bottom of the shank.

 ??  ?? 1. MEASURE LENGTH
Place the handle of a wooden spoon in your horse’s mouth, marking where it exits on each side. Inset: Use a ruler to measure the width
1. MEASURE LENGTH Place the handle of a wooden spoon in your horse’s mouth, marking where it exits on each side. Inset: Use a ruler to measure the width
 ??  ?? 2. MEASURE THICKNESS
Use your index and middle finger to gauge thickness
2. MEASURE THICKNESS Use your index and middle finger to gauge thickness
 ??  ?? Use a ruler to measure the length and thickness of your bit
Use a ruler to measure the length and thickness of your bit
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