Measuring!

[TeaganW]

Hello!
I was just wondering how people best measured their youngster's mouths for bits that will not terrify my 3yr old. I've heard string works but I'm not sure how she would react to this and I do not want to scare her before she has even been properly bitted.
Any advise is appreciated, thank you!

 

[DabDab]

You can try a wooden spoon with measuring marks drawn on it. Tbh I just guess because I use one of those flexible bits to start and if I'm half an inch out it's not a problem. Plus I have a fair few bits lying about these days to chop and change with if required.

ETA: hi, welcome to the forum!

 

[be positive]

Your young horse should be confident having her mouth handled, you putting your fingers in and fussing about before thinking of bitting, she should not then be terrified of having a soft bit quietly introduced without being attached to anything so you can assess her size as well as do the initial introduction in a sensible way, if the first one is a little too wide it doesn't matter but it will give you a chance to get the right fit before starting to mouth properly.

 

[TeaganW]

Thank you! Had a play today and I think we may have it sorted, thank you for your advice.