How To Make Sure Your Horse’s Bit Fits 

Here is a trick to fitting your horse's bit—an element that’s just as important as saddle and bridle fit. 
A bay quarter horse being measure for horse bit fit wears a classic western snaffle bridle against a white barn backdrop.
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You know it’s important for your horse’s saddle and bridle to fit correctly. But don’t forget to make sure his bit fits, too. It’s no fun for either of you when your horse sports a too-small or too-large bit—the former can pinch the corners of the mouth, while the latter might move around and clunk against the teeth. Don’t wait until rubbed patches or thickened skin appear at the corners of your horse’s mouth to ensure his bit fits properly. 

Horse Bit Fit in 5 Steps

To test whether a bit is the proper size for your horse, you need only an ordinary piece of twine or string and a ruler or tape measure: 

  • Use a Sharpie to mark a line on the string. 
  • Guide the twine into the horse’s mouth and back toward the corners so it is positioned approximately where the bit would lie, with the marked spot visible at one side of the lips. 
  • Pull the twine taut and use your fingers to grasp it at each corner of your horse’s lips. 
  • Remove the twine and mark the place on the string where you held it on the other side of the lips. 
  • Use your ruler to measure the length between both marks. 

The general rule of horse bit fit is that a properly fitted bit measures a quarter-inch longer than the width of the horse’s mouth. So, if the section of twine measures 5 inches, you’ll want to find your horse a bit that’s 5 ½ inches—i.e., a size 5 ½ bit. You can adjust the cheek pieces of the bridle to make sure the bit rests properly in the bars of the mouth, creating one or two wrinkles at the corners. 

Other Considerations

In addition to width, the overall shape of a horse’s mouth, including the hard palate and the size of his tongue, can influence the size of bit he needs. This means a thicker bit is not always milder. And, as a horse ages, the contours of his mouth might change, so the bit you use now might not be comfortable for him in 10 years. It’s easy to start second-guessing your current bit, but don’t worry: If your horse is happy and responsive, chances are it fits just fine. If you’re concerned, you can always ask your veterinarian to evaluate it.

Related Reading:

This article originally ran on Equusmagazine.com.

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