Does the bit fit? pics

[Wigwag]

While we're at it, I took some pics today of the loose ring snaffle he's wearing to ensure that a bit problem isn't causing the conflict. There is a round link in the middle so it's not bumping him in the roof of the mouth or anything (to the best of my knowledge).

Looks like it fits correctly to me, but what do I know?? :confused: :lol:

If it doesn't fit, what would you recommend?

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee304/PlatzWigwag/Cheater/100_0863.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee304/PlatzWigwag/Cheater/100_0864.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee304/PlatzWigwag/Cheater/100_0865.jpg

Thanks again everyone. You are all a really big help!

[3horsemom]

eventer here who just wandered over. i think your bit looks too small. a finger's width between end of bit and horse's mouth is standard.

[Ebony's Mom]

Looks too small to me as well.

[goldponies]

Needs to be much bigger.

[BaroquePony]

Hhmmm,

Looks too small. Loose rings can pinch some horses even if they fit properly, although I love the way they feel a horse's mouth.

[Wigwag]

wow - too small? ok

I will have to double check the bit, but this is like a 5 1/2". I thought that was pretty normal sized?

[tollertwins]

i have a 14.2 that takes a 5 1/2" in a loose ring - can go in a 5 1/4 in a fixed ring....just depends on how fat the lips are....

[Luvmyappy]

The bit does look small. You could also raise the nose band higher. Some horses like a jointed snaffle. Perhaps you could experiment a little.

[AnotherRound]

Too small. I like eggbutts and full cheeks. They don't tend to pinch the sides of the mouth like loose rings.

What's "normal"? If its too small, its too small, LOL!

[Tiki]

Way too small. On the right side of his mouth, the hole that the bit ring goes through is partially inside his mouth.

[Wigwag]

Too small. I like eggbutts and full cheeks. They don't tend to pinch the sides of the mouth like loose rings.

What's "normal"? If its too small, its too small, LOL!

Well, it would appear that my horse has a huge mouth given that he's wearing a "normal" sized bit. Normal would indicate what most, or many, horses wear. To my understanding, it's rather uncommon to have a horse wear a bit in the 6" range. That's all I was saying. :) I didn't want people to think I was sticking a 4 3/4" bit in his mouth or something unusually small.

I will get him a bigger bit, and from some advice given via PM's, a different type as well.

[Mozart]

Well, we can't all agree, can we? :lol:

I actually do not think it looks too small (from the top view). If you look at the pinching part (where ring is in hole for mouthpiece) there is enough space between that and corner of mouth that it would not pinch. Especially when there is a slight tension on the reins. Pick up the reins and establish a light contact on the ground and see if there is "pinch potential" You will be in the best position to judge that in person.

It might, in fact, be a bit thick. It looks like a nice thick bit but that might not fit in that elegant looking mouth. See if you can feel how much mouth space the bit takes up and if it is crowding the palate.

[asterix]

Good thought, Mozart -- very hard to know from the outside of the horse whether the inside is working -- I have a great big horse who is not dainty at all, but he much prefers a thinner bit -- I actually use the bridoon from a friend's defunct double bridle -- when I tried a fatter version of the same bit he was clearly uncomfortable. So another variable to play with.

[purplnurpl]

I don't think it looks too small either.
Does it rub him?
It is kinda thick. 21 mm? Some horses like thick bits though.

You really just have to listed to him.
I had a horse that liked her bit 1/2 too long on either side and hanging in her mouth.
Others like a good fit, others like a snug fit.

I have a TB that is in a 4 3/4 full cheek!!
My other TB goes better in thin bits.

every horse is an individual.

[J-Lu]

I would also say that the bit is too small. Also, if your horse has fleshy lips, they can easily pinch.

Look at the holes of the bit where the rings go through. They're pretty large. If that's a stainless steel bit, they'll get larger with use.

Typically, as the rider uses the reins, the loosering slides across the tongue. The rings rotate as well. If this bit slides at all, your horse's lip can easily get caught between the ring and hole and pinch. If your horse is stiff in the poll and you work the bit to soften him, this can also happen. It only takes a few pinches for the horse to become defensive against the bit.

My horse has fleshy lips and has had sores on her mouth from a 5 1/4" bit. She also tossed her head and became defensive. She goes now in a 5 3/4" snaffle and bradoon (although at this stage in her training, she goes in a thin-mouth snaffle - 14mm -because that works for her). Her curb is 5 1/2 because it has arms and won't pinch her lips. Oh, did I mention that she's a 15.1hh Trakehner with a very feminine head? By "convention", she should be in a 5" or 5 1/4" snaffle. But they absolutely do not work in her mouth because they pinch her lips as the bit moves in her mouth and they make her unhappy. Many people said that the bit looks large in her mouth, but at the end of the day, the proof is in the way she accepts the bit.

Loosering snaffles aren't necessarily fit the same way that other bits are fit because they move in the mouth, and if you use your hands alot, they can move even more. But at the end of the day, your horse will tell you what he likes. Go with your horse.

BTW, if that's the 21mm loosering with the ball in the middle, I started this horse in that bit. You might need 5 3/4".

J.

[petitefilly]

OKay to me! Depends on how much your hands move. If your hands are educated this is fine, lips on rings. If you have jerky or heavy hands you might need more *squish room* on the sides. JMHO

[J-Lu]

OKay to me! Depends on how much your hands move. If your hands are educated this is fine, lips on rings. If you have jerky or heavy hands you might need more *squish room* on the sides. JMHO


Actually, I'd say how stiff the poll is, maybe in addition to "jerky or heavy hands". Or horse preference. Or horse education. I think it's misleading to say that the bit is OK in quiet hands but too small in "jerky or heavy hands". It's as if the action of the bit or the education level or preference of the horse has no meaning...

[goeslikestink]

here wigwam--- look and then click on either which bit or nose band or bridle

has clear information and diagrams with moving parts as to how it effects the horse

and how to fit each bit bridle or nose band

click on the content menu bar -- of item you want to see

its a well informative site www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php


your bit is to high in the mouth and snaffles shouldnt have wrinkles- so the bit looks smaller
when you take up the contact would be more pressure on the poll and the wrinkles would increase

look at the above site for pics and how the bit should be fitted
also normally with loose ring snaffles you can have bit guards to stop the pinching

[Wigwag]

The bit is history. I put him in a new one today.

Thanks!

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

What did you put him in? I took the loose ring out of my mare's mouth many years ago because it pinched and I could not find the magic size that would not do that. So, I put her in an eggbutt and have never looked back, now my boy is in an eggbutt.

[Wigwag]

D-ring rubber.