is it better for a bit to be to big or too small ?

[scrumpyjackles]

my horse has a 5 and 1/4 size mouth....very tricky to find bits these size so is it better to have it a little small (5 inch) or a little big (5 1/2)

 

[horsey mad matt]

i would to big although my boy is the same as your horse but he is fine in a 5inch and a 5.5 inch

 

[Kokopelli]

Big, when too narrow they pinch the horses mouth and when too big it's not really an issue. My horse likes having the bit too big and too low, I always get comments about it but that's how he likes it so why would I change it.

Just trial and error really.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I was under the impression its best for a bit to be the right size? NS do those kind of sizes if that helps

 

[celia]

TBH 1/4 inch doesn't make a huge amount of difference. I would always go for the slightly bigger size as you don't want it pinching if it's too small.

 

[Bigginge]

I was under the impression its best for a bit to be the right size? NS do those kind of sizes if that helps

Haha what she said! 1/4 might not make much difference but too small and the bit may pinch and too big, depending on the type of bit, the action could be all wrong in the mouth.

 

[dressage-diva]

companies such as sprenger do bits in 1/4 and even 1/8 increments so check them out if you want a perfect fit
if not, sightly bigger would be better ,as too small can cause sores and pinching. as long as the bit is not too big that it slides about or could be pulled too much through the horses mouth you could go 5 1/2
hope this helps

 

[Charla]

I'm in exactly the same situation as you with my boy. He is 5 1/4 but I have struggled to find a bit in this size. I tried him in a 5 inch but I was worried it was too small and may pinch, so he's currently in a 5 1/2 until I can buy a 5 1/4.

 

[Megibo]

try and find a bit the right size for your horse...

too small and it'll pinch your horses mouth and too big it can bang against teeth or cause similar problems.
just google a bit size 5 1/4, they aren't too bad to find. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Happy-Mouth-Loose-ring-Snaffle-Bit-VGC-5-1-4-/180703687422

 

[Tnavas]

The right size is best really

Too small may pinch the corners of the mouth.

Too large can cause problems with the horse being able to get the tongue over the bit, as the joint drops too low in the mouth. To counter act this the bit gets placed higher which in turn affects the corners of the mouth and lips.

If a bit can't be bought the absolute correct size then bit guards will take up about ¼" but you can't use them in dressage.

 

[bumblelion]

I would always go bigger than smaller so as not to pinch their mouth.

 

[OneInAMillion]

Our old pony was 5.25 but we can't afford bits like SPrenger and NS etc.

 

[Ranyhyn]

There are second hand NS and Sprenger going for peanuts in CR if that helps anyone! I have been seriously skint in the past but I really put great stock in what you put in a horses mouth and on a horses back i think if you are going to communicate to them using that - it should be as perfect as it can be You can save money on rugs and brushing boots if you need to.

 

[scrumpyjackles]

Our old pony was 5.25 but we can't afford bits like SPrenger and NS etc.

exactly my problem !!!!!

 

[joeanne]

There are second hand NS and Sprenger going for peanuts in CR if that helps anyone! I have been seriously skint in the past but I really put great stock in what you put in a horses mouth and on a horses back i think if you are going to communicate to them using that - it should be as perfect as it can be You can save money on rugs and brushing boots if you need to.

^^^^that! If you can go the little extra in the short term, the long term benefits really make up for it.
A decent bit and saddle will always be a priority over a blingy bridle or rugs!

 

[Victoria25]

Deffo bigger to avoid pinching

 

[scrumpyjackles]

so now i feel like people are acccusing me of not spending money on my horse...he has lovely saddles which are always checked, teeth/back etc done regularly...by the time iv paid livery/vets bills/hay/feed and him to be shod every 5 weeks i dont have nearly 100 quid left over for a bit...so sorry for trying to only spend £20 !

 

[saddlesore]

What sort of bit do you use? 135mm is 51/4" and many are made in this size including all happy mouth bits. Sprenger also do the turnado in stainless steel in 5 1/4" for £20 so you can be all fancy without spending a small fortune

http://www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk/Shop.asp?viewmode=ViewProduct&productid=974

 

[scrumpyjackles]

he has just a french link snaffle for flatwork - and a two ring gag for jumping/cross country/hunting ! nothing too exciting ! i hate happy mouth bits he gets a really really sore mouth with them....thank you i will have a look !

 

[scrumpyjackles]

just had a quick look and TYPICAL the one thats twenty pound is single jointed which he hates lol !!! :

 

[Marydoll]

The right size is best really

Too small may pinch the corners of the mouth.

Too large can cause problems with the horse being able to get the tongue over the bit, as the joint drops too low in the mouth. To counter act this the bit gets placed higher which in turn affects the corners of the mouth and lips.

If a bit can't be bought the absolute correct size then bit guards will take up about ¼" but you can't use them in dressage.

Agree with Evelyn, neue shule do bits in 1/4 sizes which will give the best fit for your horse, the problems a badly fitting bit give can be avoided

 

[pixiebee]

ebay for bits. they do various sizes. Also what about horse bit shop, buy one on hire for 12 quid then you have a month to pay for it, stick a bit aside each week. Thats what i did when i wanted a neue schule but didnt have the immediate outlay. Failing that get a bit thats a little too big and put rubber guards on it, that will make it the right size!!

 

[Ranyhyn]

No-one is accusing you of that OP.

My team up (NS) didn't cost me anywhere near £100...more like £40 which is only £20 over your budget and quite rightly as Pix says, you can hire for a month to try and then hopefully when you get paid next month - you'll have the extra to put towards it

 

[Dotilas]

I don't think anyone is accusing you of not spending money on your horse, merely bringing forward the irony that is the current society that doesn't necessarily recognise the importance of the bit in the grand scheme of things. The bit is the main means of communication with your horse, and therefore it is a bit surprising that very few people realise that this is probably the area where £100 should be spent.
It does seem like a bit of a no brainer when it is something you use everyday, you put it INSIDE your horse in a very sensitive area and you are using it to communicate clearly.

Try british dressage classifieds and ebay for secondhand bits. There's nothing wrong with buying secondhand bits - and if theyre 'wrong' you can usually sell them again for what you have paid for them. If you dont like the idea you can always put them in the dishwasher before you use them on your horse. Also try Cotswold Sport for 135mm bits.

 

[mil1212]

My horse is 5 1/4, the only bit he seems happy in is the £10 shires training bit, so shires must do others in 5 1/4, I have several ns bits too from eBay which have been about £20.
If the bit is loose ring I'd never want it too small, a straight bar you can get away with 1/4 inch smaller. I also find that bits come up slightly different 'sizes' anyway, trial and error.