Tried printing out and using their bit fitting device thing and it was really unclear how it was supposed to work and then the horse got the corner in its mouth and that was the end of that. Before it was eaten it seemed to indicate at least the the equivalent of a 5.75" inch bit for a horse who typically wears a 5"-ish bit.
I admit the instructions made no sense to me and I was probably doing it wrong. But maybe they run very small? Does anyone know?
I haven’t seen any instructions, but the bits as marked run true to size on the 4 horses I’ve used them on. What doesn’t is if you measure some styles (verbindend) a certain way the measurement doesn’t match the marked size (a 5 1/4" can measure like a 5 3/4", but when it fits in the mouth the 5 1/4 size is accurate.)
I am looking into one of these bits, too… The loose ring Team Up.
Where do I find the ‘bit fitting device thing’??
Do these bits fit smaller/larger because they are slightly curved?
The pony wears a 4.5" in an eggbutt.
I have a 5.25" KK Ultra loose ring and it is a bit too wide.
I was thinking she would need a 5" in the NS loose ring.
Pony Mom brought it out to the barn, I guess it’s a pdf you print and then cut out these two pieces and it makes a kind of caliper. A floppy caliper, which works about as well as you’d imagine. There were instructions on another page but I honestly couldn’t figure them out. She got it from the tack store website I think, and I had the impression it was brand specific but maybe it was some weird thing that tackstore does. I will ask.
It sounds like we’d be OK just ordering the horses regular size. She measures a 5 with the regular stick in mouth method. Thanks all!
I used cardboard and a paper fastener, so it was more rigid. 
Kid found some cardboard but not a good scissors so it was poorly cut out. Then she couldn’t attach the paper with the measurement marks to the cardboard accurately because of course there is no glue at the barn, just paperclips but they didn’t really work. Everyone got involved and then the horse was like “oh! a thing!” and chomped it. It was pretty much a comedy routine.
I have one and think it runs true to size. I didn’t specifically measure for it - just ordered the normal size, and it fits fine.
I have the Verbindend Loose Ring - 16mm - 5 1/2" and it runs true to size. I love this bit. FWIW, I ordered from SmartPak so… free returns.
In my experience with several different styles they all run true to size.
I have found they run true to size.
You can rent them to try at Hastilow website; then you can be sure on size
They run quite true to size. . . We have all of them here and I’ve not yet had one come back as being off. Most of our customers love that we can get them in 1/4" sizing for a more accurate fit. I’ve not used the Team Up, but love my Verbidend bit!
I’m going to be the dissenting opinion. I’ve got a 5 1/2" NS Team Up loose ring and I think it runs just a little bit small.
Either that or the several JP Korsteel 5 1/2" bits I’ve got, including a loose ring oval link that is somewhat similar to the NS Team Up, run big.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
