scewal
Well-Known Member
Is it recommended to go down a size when using a mullen bit? I bought a shires mullen loose ring with a small port. However it seems too big and slides from side to side meaning the port doesn't always sit centrally.
Mullen bits, go down a size?
- Thread starter scewal
- Start date
catkin
Well-Known Member
Sometimes it's recommended to go down a size, but in reality it depends upon the shape of the bit and the shape of the horse's mouth.
see if you can go down by quarter of an inch as you may find that a half inch smaller will cause the loose rings to rub the corners of his mouth. It doesn't look pretty, but a quick and easy way to try it out is to put a pair of bit guards on the one you have.
see if you can go down by quarter of an inch as you may find that a half inch smaller will cause the loose rings to rub the corners of his mouth. It doesn't look pretty, but a quick and easy way to try it out is to put a pair of bit guards on the one you have.
scewal
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your reply. I already have bit guards on and still have at least a finger almost two on each side. The port is angled slightly back too. Sadly the don't come in quarter sizes.
Tnavas
Well-Known Member
Measure his mouth so you get the right size.
Get a piece of dowel wider than the horses mouth, thread it through the loops (where you normally attach the bit.
Put on the bridle and adjust so that the dowel touches the corners of the mouth.
Mark with a permanent marker inside the sides of the bridle.
This is the width of your horses mouth.
Go up a quarter inch for a mullen or curb bit. For a snaffle go to half an inch wider.
With jointed bits avoid a bit that is too wide as the joint/s will drop down too low in the horses mouth and encourage the horse to put its tongue over the bit. Too narrow it will chafe the sides of the mouth.
Get a piece of dowel wider than the horses mouth, thread it through the loops (where you normally attach the bit.
Put on the bridle and adjust so that the dowel touches the corners of the mouth.
Mark with a permanent marker inside the sides of the bridle.
This is the width of your horses mouth.
Go up a quarter inch for a mullen or curb bit. For a snaffle go to half an inch wider.
With jointed bits avoid a bit that is too wide as the joint/s will drop down too low in the horses mouth and encourage the horse to put its tongue over the bit. Too narrow it will chafe the sides of the mouth.
scewal
Well-Known Member
Thanks Tnavas, will do that later.