what length bit?

[rainer]

What length bit do you use on your ponies? I've got charlie in a 5 inch bit and he seems to go okay in it and other times he's shaking it about and I think it might be too big/long.
What length do you think for a 12.2 native/cobby sort?

 

[touchstone]

Depends on the size of the said ponies mouth - I have had two ponies of the same height and breed that had an inch difference in bit sizes.

If you stand in front of your pony you should be able to get one fingers width in between the bit ring and the pony's mouth at the mouthpiece on each side.

 

[rainer]

I feel there's a bit too much either side so might see if a 4 1/2 inch bit is better

 

[cremedemonthe]

Bits of the Eggbutt variety need to have no more than 1/4" protruding out from each side of the mouth and DOESN'T need bit guards as this type of bit can't pinch the lips.

Loose ring variety bits need 1/2" protruding out from each side of the mouth and SHOULD have bit guards as these type of bits can pinch the mouth.

Any Bit correctly positioned in the mouth should produce no more than 3 wrinkles at the corners of the mouth, what we know as "the little smile"