Correct bit height

[MissP]

I'm familiar with the 1-2 wrinkle rule for where a bit should sit in the mouth, but horses have different length lips....

SO if looking INSIDE the lips, how much lower should the bit sit than the molars? I presume it shouldn't hit the molars? Yey if I give 2 cm clearance, then I have no lip wrinkles and the cheek pieces bag out when the horse starts playing with the bit (he can easily get it high enough with his tongue to chomp on it).

Any thoughts?

 

[rabatsa]

I do not have any wrinkles when using a mullen mouth bit as I think that they must be uncomfortable.

 

[windand rain]

Should be low enough for the bit to slide up when the reins are applied and not clout the molars. Some bits slide as much as 3-4 cm so techinically depending on the type of bit it should lie about 3-4 cm from the molars but in a horse with canine teeth or a mare with stumps it should fit above them so as not to clout those either. generally speaking bits with more joints move more with the exception of Mylers which are more stable in the horses mouth

 

[ycbm]

I really dislike the wrinkle advice for bitting. I always wonder how the rider would like to go around with something constantly pulling at the edges of their lips. Some of the dressage bitting is just horrible, the horse has practically got its face cut in half. I know people who can't get the bridle on without undoing it, the bit is so high.

I bit according to the advice I've had from several trainers, so that it meets the end of the lips without wrinkling them. Yes, the cheek piece can sag outward. But the alternative is to take up that slack all the time. Or use a Micklem, which doesn't do that, which is my preference.

Regarding getting the tongue over the bit, I had a horse which did this a lot. The instructor I had at the time told me to lower the bit, and it worked. It changed my ideas of bitting forever.