Bit size?

[Lifting_Chickk]

I need to buy a driving bit for my harness. I found a Zilco butterfly bit in the mullen mouth my horse prefers. (It’s very similar to her pelham)

When selecting a bit for the driving horse, do you size up from your regular riding bits? I wasn’t sure if the thick leather on the driving bridle would require a 5 1/2" bit on a horse that usually goes in a 5".

I feel silly for asking, but I’ll feel sillier buying a 5" bit only to find out it’s too snug for her cheeks when on the bridle.

Thanks!

[Christa_P]

I buy the correct size and bend the top of the cheeks out slightly if necessary.

Christa

[Lifting_Chickk]

Ok, I thought that might be the case. The bit I’m looking at has angled cheek tops to begin with, so I’d probably be a-ok with a 5" bit. Thanks!

[goodhors]

Have you actually measured her mouth, to know the size? I see a lot of animals going in bits too narrow.

I am presuming you have the movable bit sides on your chosen bit. With such cheeks, I always add the rubber bit guards to prevent pinching from the hinge of mouthpiece and also between curb chain and bit sides. I have seen equines getting pinched there with ugly results, surprise to Driver kind of reactions.

All our bits have the bit guards to prevent this problem EVER surprising me or our horses. So my mouthpiece in bits needs to be wider sized than if no rubber bit guards were used. Something for you to consider in ordering. I know a lot of folks never use bit guards, but removing the issue for our equines, let us not have to worry about it. A couple of our horses have “loose-jaw” bits, where they can lift or drop the mouthpiece for entertainment, which adds even MORE chance for pinching. But horses LIKE that feature, so we use bit guards to protect their sensitive lip skin from getting pinched.

[Lifting_Chickk]

Yes, and she is a 5" every time. All her bits have always been 5", from her early Mylers, to her Herm Sprengers (well, they’re a little bigger than 5" as they’re metric, but it’s 5 1/8" I think), to her Korsteel Flexi-mullens, which are her favorite. We have these in loose rings and her hunting pelham, which is most akin to the butterfly bit I’ve purchased.

I’ve never had a problem with her Flexi’s pinching and I don’t use bit guards as I can’t stand the things. If the bit will pinch, I won’t use it.

I’m looking forward to getting the Zilco white mullen Butterfly bit as I should be just right.