Bits...is this too big?

[Bobthecob15]

Help I've got myself all confused about bit sizes! So our pony has been wearing a 4.5" hanging cheek for about 2 months but I feel its a bit pinchy on his mouth, he's not happy in it I don't think as he keeps opening his mouth and nose poking...his teeth were checked about 8 months ago so is due soon and I will get that looked at ASAP...in the mean time I've got another one to try which is 5" and I can't decide if its too long?

I've attached a slightly blurry photo (he wouldn't stand still!), we didn't try riding in it as I felt it was a bit big? His current one is much closer to the edge of his mouth so to me this seemed a bit big...but I've got myself confused!

It was this sort of distance either side...didn't try it with the reins on and a contact.

Thoughts?

 

[Sossigpoker]

If he's opening his mouth and poking his nose out and teeth have been checked , this could indicate hind limb lameness and/or back pain.
Rather than messing with bits , I'd just get the vet out tbh.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

That looks OK I don't like bits that are too small and that has a nice bit of gap at the side.

How big is the pony?

 

[Bobthecob15]

If he's opening his mouth and poking his nose out and teeth have been checked , this could indicate hind limb lameness and/or back pain.
Rather than messing with bits , I'd just get the vet out tbh.

It's not that often I've just notice him do it with his current bit compared to his previous snaffle he had. Good point though

 

[Bobthecob15]

That looks OK I don't like bits that are too small and that has a nice bit of gap at the side.

How big is the pony?

12.2 x

 

[Gloi]

I think 4 3/4 would be better.

 

[Lady Jane]

I don't want to be rude or offend but your bridle doesn't fit. If you look at where the buckles should sit, yours are all sitting sort of above the eye where there are lots of nerves and I think the throat lash is a bit tight. The buckles too high are making the brow band sit right close to the ear. Re the bit, how is it sitting in the mouth? 4.5/5" sounds quite big for a 12.2 and although we can't see much of him, he doesn't look that chunky from his head.

This shows how a bridle should fit - and it doesn't need to be an anotomical bridle to fit properly, this is just an example: https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/how-to-measure-for-our-bridles.html

 

[Sossigpoker]

It's not that often I've just notice him do it with his current bit compared to his previous snaffle he had. Good point though

Opening the mouth is a pain response and IME it's never been from the mouth.
That combined with nose poking out sounds like typical back /hind limb pain.

 

[Gloi]

Opening the mouth is a pain response and IME it's never been from the mouth.
That combined with nose poking out sounds like typical back /hind limb pain.

Can simply be from inexperienced hands though.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

The bridle looks horribly tight.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would say a 4.75 would be better

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

For a 12.2 you need a much smaller ring on the bit that looks massive, agree with above the bridle doesn't fit at all, cheek pieces too long browband and noseband to tight and too chunky in my opinion.

Why don't you get a bitting fitter down they will help you with the bit and bridle.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thanks for all your comments, it's the one he came with so haven't really questioned it but obviously it's too small for him based on these! The cheek pieces are on top hole, any lower and his bit is too low, throatlash has a hands gap...photo probably doesn't show that though. I guess I'm off bridle shopping!

Thanks everyone ?

 

[Bobthecob15]

For a 12.2 you need a much smaller ring on the bit that looks massive, agree with above the bridle doesn't fit at all, cheek pieces too long browband and noseband to tight and too chunky in my opinion.

Why don't you get a bitting fitter down they will help you with the bit and bridle.

Thanks so much, I'll be off bridle shopping then! ? Agree the ring is too big, the company do many pony versions so will see if I can get a smaller one x

 

[Bobthecob15]

I don't want to be rude or offend but your bridle doesn't fit. If you look at where the buckles should sit, yours are all sitting sort of above the eye where there are lots of nerves and I think the throat lash is a bit tight. The buckles too high are making the brow band sit right close to the ear. Re the bit, how is it sitting in the mouth? 4.5/5" sounds quite big for a 12.2 and although we can't see much of him, he doesn't look that chunky from his head.

This shows how a bridle should fit - and it doesn't need to be an anotomical bridle to fit properly, this is just an example: https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/how-to-measure-for-our-bridles.html

Thanks that's a very useful article...can you tell I've not bought a bridle for about 20yrs?! Anatomical bridles didn't exist back then! ?

 

[[153312]]

do you have an instructor OP who could assess the whole picture - tack fit, way of going, etc. - and make suggestions, be that a change of bit or getting a vet or anything. But a trained eye on the ground in front of you is going to be able to help much more than anyone on a forum, only so much can be gleaned from a photo.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I would never ride my horse in a bit that has not been professionally fitted. There is more to bit fit than just the length across the mouth - the anatomy of the mouth has to be taken into account - the palette, the grass muscle, thickness of tongue etc. I would only trust a trained, professional bit fitter to assess this. Not a riding instructor, not a fellow livery.

Echoing what others have said about bridle fit, the Horsemanship Saddlery link explains it well.

 

[Bobthecob15]

do you have an instructor OP who could assess the whole picture - tack fit, way of going, etc. - and make suggestions, be that a change of bit or getting a vet or anything. But a trained eye on the ground in front of you is going to be able to help much more than anyone on a forum, only so much can be gleaned from a photo.

We do, just haven't had a session with her for a while due to dark evenings (my daughter has lessons after school)...will show her next time we have a lesson, previously she wasn't worried about the set up x

 

[Bobthecob15]

I would never ride my horse in a bit that has not been professionally fitted. There is more to bit fit than just the length across the mouth - the anatomy of the mouth has to be taken into account - the palette, the grass muscle, thickness of tongue etc. I would only trust a trained, professional bit fitter to assess this. Not a riding instructor, not a fellow livery.

Echoing what others have said about bridle fit, the Horsemanship Saddlery link explains it well.

Thanks, will definitely get on the case with getting someone out x

 

[Miss_Millie]

Thanks, will definitely get on the case with getting someone out x

https://www.horsebitfit.com/find-your-local-consultant-here.php

Not sure where you are in the UK, but this link has a list of bit fitters across the country with contact details

 

[Bobthecob15]

https://www.horsebitfit.com/find-your-local-consultant-here.php

Not sure where you are in the UK, but this link has a list of bit fitters across the country with contact details

Thanks unfortunately nobody where we are ? will contact the company that we got the bit from they do consultations x

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Help I've got myself all confused about bit sizes! So our pony has been wearing a 4.5" hanging cheek for about 2 months but I feel its a bit pinchy on his mouth, he's not happy in it I don't think as he keeps opening his mouth and nose poking...his teeth were checked about 8 months ago so is due soon and I will get that looked at ASAP...in the mean time I've got another one to try which is 5" and I can't decide if its too long?

I've attached a slightly blurry photo (he wouldn't stand still!), we didn't try riding in it as I felt it was a bit big? His current one is much closer to the edge of his mouth so to me this seemed a bit big...but I've got myself confused!

It was this sort of distance either side...didn't try it with the reins on and a contact.

Thoughts?

I would say 5 inch is a lot too big, my 14.3 had a 4 1/2 inch and my 12hh has 4 1/2 - 4 3/4

 

[Kaylum]

Hi yes the bridle is too big too tight but also why that bit? It's a wilkie is very fixed and applies a lot of pole pressure. I personally do not like them. What are you try to achieve using it? How does it fit in the mouth. Are you on a yard with other ponies where you can have a look at their bridles to see if they fit better?

If your instructor was not concerned about the fit of the bridle please change your instructor. They should be very aware of how tack fits x

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thanks all, will be sorting a new bridle ASAP!

 

[Kaylum]

Thanks all, will be sorting a new bridle ASAP!

Good starting place x