Bits

[kimrichards]

How do you measure your horse for a bit?

My new horse come with no yack so having to start from scratch i'm going to go dfor a snaffle but i'm not sure how to measure for a new bit?!

 

[HBII]

What type of bit did you trail her in, I always favour either a loose ring lozenge snaffle or my trusty french link eggbutt!

Quoted from BHS Stable Management ...

"Hold a piece of thick string in the mouth. Mark with your fingers whree the sides of the corners of the lip occur. Remove the string and measure between the marks. It can often be difficult to buy the exact width of bit required, particulary in the smaller sizes, and it may be necessary to approach several suppliers."

Hope that helps.

Hb

 

[kimrichards]

Thank you!!!

I tried her in a full cheek snaffle, i don't think she needs that bit so i'm thinking about the bit you said, i read the past post adn they sound nice bits. I use normal loose ring snaffles on my past horses so this bit sounds good.

 

[kcgibson]

A good way i measured my horse was to use a bit of wooden dowling (i actually used a wooden spoon) and place it in the mouth as you would a bit. Use a pen to mark on the wood at the horse's lip edges at either side. Remove the piece of wood and add 1/8 - 1/4 an inch, either side for clearance. I did this recently with my horse and he measured 5 3/4" so ive just bought a 6" bit.

 

[kcgibson]

P.S shop4bits allows you to try nearly all their bits before you buy, in case you didn't know that already!

 

[kimrichards]

Thank you thats a really good idea!!!!