That’s how they are supposed to be used not over the withers. They should be used with a crupper as well to keep from sliding forward.
Go to the saddle part: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8t4KagTs0Es
If you notice high end driving horses it is further back than many of these pictures show.
Fennel’s makes a nice one as well but Freedmans leather quality is better.
https://www.fennells.com/fennells-leather-bitting-rig.html
Freedmans