Bit Fit Advice

[KandC]

Technically I am a hunter/eq rider, but the bits I am looking at are more popular in the eventing world so I posted over here.

I just got my guy a Fager Julia in a 140 mm and he seems to like it. He has always been a bit chewer especially during initial tacking up, but this is the first bit he reaches for when tacking up. After about 5 minutes of chewing, he’ll stop and hold his mouth quietly. I am still tempted to try him in a Neue Schule Verbindend because I’m not convinced he loves the taste of copper and/or sweet iron. He is an internalizer, so the chewing definitely could stem from that.

How does sizing compare? I feel like my Fager runs snugger than his other 5.25" bits (Mikmar, Bombers) and he does have slightly fleshier lips. Cheekpieces have always either been full cheek or D.

Anyone who’s compared the two able to provide input?

[dmveventer]

I can’t compare to the NS but the Fagers do tend to run a little small in my experience. My guy typically goes in a 5 inch bit in other brands and wears a 135mm Fager which is 5.3 inches. Their 125mm (4.9 inch) was slightly too small for him. Are you sure you have the right size though? The standard Fager bit sizes all end in 5, 140mm is only an option for their bradoons and is just over 5.5 inches.

If it’s just the material that’s an issue all of their sweet iron bits should have a titanium version and some of them are offered in plain stainless steel as well, they just have different model names. For the Julia you’re looking at the Sally or Tanja.

[KandC]

Whoops- it is a 135 mm.