Placing of the bit.

[Cat_Tap]

Due to the concerns of a poster that we may not have the basics if we haven’t read the German “The Principles of Riding”, I decided to re-read my book obtained in the 80s.

Now it states in the book that “The bridle is correctly fitted when the bit lies high enough to touch the corners of the mouth without pulling them up”. It also states that a thicker bit is a kinder bit but I find that horses with a small mouth prefer a smaller thinner bit.

I first learned to ride in “hunterland” and was taught that there should be two wrinkles on each side of the corner of the mouth. That the horse should look like he is smiling not laughing.

Once I started with a dressage trainer she lowered the bit. The following week my jumper trainer would raise the bit. This continued so I finally just used two different bridles.

What is the consensus how the bit should be fitted. I was using a loose ring french link but plan to switch to a D ring french link as my horse tends to have a busy mouth and my horse has two wrinkles.

[Foxtail]

For one, I think knowing what we do now about how little room there really is in the horse’s mouth that I’d err on the side of a thinner mouthpiece before trying a thicker one.

As for how high the bit should sit, I too was taught two wrinkles by my original h/j trainer. Then I switched to putting it down lower. But now instead of a one size fits all approach, I do what western riders do: I set the bit to be VERY low, and I watch the horse to see how the horse wants to pick up the bit (some leave it low, some will suck it higher into their mouth), and when the horse finds a good spot for them I adjust the bridle to match.

[Gumby80]

My anecdotal, unscientific experience is that US hunter-jumper trainers often seem to fit bridles very tight, i.e. the bit is very high in the mouth. As a feral pony-club kiddo, we got taught 1 wrinkle, which is about how I like to fit them. Just not so loose that the bit pulls through the mouth and moves around a heap.

[Mondo]

“Now it states in the book that “The bridle is correctly fitted when the bit lies high enough to touch the corners of the mouth without pulling them up”. It also states that a thicker bit is a kinder bit but I find that horses with a small mouth prefer a smaller thinner bit.”

Those are general rules of thumb and you may find that different placements work best with different horses. I go with the “one wrinkle” theory usually. Also, I think we have learned a great deal about biomechanics and bridle fit/bit placement since that book was written. The old “bigger the mouthpiece, gentler the bit” saw is not necessarily true anymore.

And, like everything else in the horse world, those types of rules change with the fashion of the times. Now it is difficult to find a dressage bridle without a flash. You have to look carefully if you want to avoid a crank noseband. I imagine those gadgets will soon fall out of favor, too, just as “two wrinkles” has.

[mmeqcenter]

Interesting, my dressage instructor raised my bit in my first lesson with her. I think I had 1 wrinkle before. I haven’t moved it since and my mare is very happy with the higher placement.

The thicker bit being milder is a theory that a large surface area for pressure distribution provides less “bite” from commands using the reins. However, “bite” may take a back seat to overall comfort for a small-mouthed horse.

[CERT]

My default is about a wrinkle. I want it to be high enough not to bump into any tushes/canines, but not putting constant hard pressure on the lips. I was told in my initial trail riding background to make a smile with a couple wrinkles, but have moved on from that.

I don’t really use any loose ring bits and I wonder if the just touching, no wrinkles idea is due to the nature of the loosering cheeks. Pulled up too tight and you run a greater risk of the lips getting pinched between the cheek and the mouth of the bit. This isn’t really an issue with eggbutts, D-rings, Bauchers, or leverage bits.

[SendenHorse]

I don’t like them too tight, probably not even 2 winkles. I have a little test I do where I pull the hangers out to the side when standing in front of the horse and feel for the slack. I have a way that I can tell it fits by how far I can move it out. I tend to err on the side of a tad looser vs tight.

[alibi_18]

To me, it’s all about the horse’s mouth conformation.

How’s the mouth, the lips, the palate… and then paired with the right bit might means it will be placed lower or higher.

I do Sendenhorse’s trick but I prefer a tad tighter than loose. I feel the horses I rode so far prefered something more stable in their mouth.

[SendenHorse]

Yeah, it depends on the horse, mine likes it a tad looser, since my current horse is prone to tension in the poll and neck, just how he’s wired. I suppose it’s like why one of my horses liked the flash/ crank and eggbutt or mullen…, a sense of stability, and this one goes in a non-crank, non-flash loose ring. JHMO

[Jealoushe]

@alibi_18

To me, it’s all about the horse’s mouth conformation.

How’s the mouth, the lips, the palate… and then paired with the right bit might means it will be placed lower or higher.

This is my approach also. I also look to see how much room there is between the bit and the bit spot, I don’t want the bit touching their teeth whatsoever. You also have to factor in what noseband you use, and how it holds the jaw.

[Cat_Tap]

I don’t like to admit it but I am a bit ignorant about bits. In the hunters in the 70s the in bit was a full cheek snaffle. When I switched to dressage it was a loose ring snaffle. Switched to a french link, but can’t remember why. Current horse was in a loose ring french link but I am switching to a D french link for more stability as he has a busy mouth and at times is reluctant to take hold of the bit. I always just followed trainer’s instructions without actually researching the purpose of the bit. I have also never looked into my horses’ mouths to check out the palate. Have no clue what to look for.

Hope i can handle critical comments.

[SendenHorse]

@Cat Tap

I don’t like to admit it but I am a bit ignorant about bits. In the hunters in the 70s the in bit was a full cheek snaffle. When I switched to dressage it was a loose ring snaffle. Switched to a french link, but can’t remember why. Current horse was in a loose ring french link but I am switching to a D french link for more stability as he has a busy mouth and at times is reluctant to take hold of the bit. I always just followed trainer’s instructions without actually researching the purpose of the bit. I have also never looked into my horses’ mouths to check out the palate. Have no clue what to look for.

Hope i can handle critical comments.

Helpful hint- be there when your horse gets his/her teeth floated and ask the vet to draw you a picture of the anatomy of your horses’ pallet and jaw.

My vet in particular was very helpful to me in discussing the shape and features, which led me to a better understanding of what bit would work- luckily I was right on with my choice for type, but I sized up 1/4" with good results.

[MysticOakRanch]

I remember the good ol’ days too - when everyone thought a fat bit was a kind bit. We’ve learned a lot about tack fit since then. Saddles fit better, bridles fit better, bits fit better. And we have discovered that not all mouths (and backs and heads) are the same!

We’ve also discovered a lot of ways to make horses more comfortable - but SOME posters don’t believe in those new fangled things either. I should really not snark, but can’t help myself!

[SendenHorse]

I hear ya Mystic Oak. I hear ya.

Personally my horses should have liked thinner bits, but they did/do not.

[outerbanks77]

@SendenHorse

I don’t like them too tight, probably not even 2 winkles. I have a little test I do where I pull the hangers out to the side when standing in front of the horse and feel for the slack. I have a way that I can tell it fits by how far I can move it out. I tend to err on the side of a tad looser vs tight.

I’ve started doing this as well. I recently fitted my new horse with a new bridle/bit setup and originally set it at about 1 wrinkle, but where she held it in her mouth, there was quite a bit of slack in the cheek pieces, so they went up a notch on both sides. Not as high as I’ve seen some bridles adjusted, but higher than I would usually do just on sight alone, and she seems quite happy with the arrangement.

Ditto on the thick vs. thin bits too. I shake my head thinking I started my petite little first horse in a hollow mouth snaffle. Current green bean is in a Myler knockoff that is about 12-14 mm and she is not shy about taking up contact. I would need a good reason to go over 16mm on a snaffle, but the horse has the last word.

[alibi_18]

@Cat Tap

I don’t like to admit it but I am a bit ignorant about bits. In the hunters in the 70s the in bit was a full cheek snaffle. When I switched to dressage it was a loose ring snaffle. Switched to a french link, but can’t remember why. Current horse was in a loose ring french link but I am switching to a D french link for more stability as he has a busy mouth and at times is reluctant to take hold of the bit. I always just followed trainer’s instructions without actually researching the purpose of the bit. I have also never looked into my horses’ mouths to check out the palate. Have no clue what to look for.

Hope i can handle critical comments.

There is no shame in not knowing.

Now, you can learn and check. Ask your vet, ask your trainer, research. Listen, read, touch and learn. Make your own conclusion and beliefs.

I have tried almost every type of bit you can think of… , both english and western! I often rely on feel when I ride to decide what bit would work best, and it’s only because I have experience with a lot of bits. Yet, that doesn’t mean it would be the right solution for every rider. I prefer working with certain bits, other riders prefer other ones.

And like others said, it’s not just about the bit, it’s also about it’s placement and the type of bridle/nosenand/browband/crownpiece used.