There's a wonderful saying ' there is a key to every horses mouth ' meaning that if you find the correct bit for your horse he will accept it more readily.

Recognizing bit resistance is quite simple once you understand what to look for.

The most common resistance behaviors are:

• Bit chomping or open mouth.
• Running away or leaning on you (pushing his weight on to his front end.)
• Head shaking or tossing.
• Staying behind the bit (putting his nose to his chest.)
• Keeping his head high (nose in air.)
• Hanging his tongue out.
• Tongue over the bit.
• Not taking rein contact.
  

Of course, any problem behavior could indicate a bitting issue, but the above are the most common.  It only makes sense to take a look at bitting whenever there is a behavioral issue under saddle, just like you would assess the saddle and overall soundness of the horse.  A bit change very often gives immediate, dramatic results.

The size and shape of the horse's mouth plays an important role in choosing the correct bit. Fitting a large rubber snaffle in a horse with a short mouth and a fat tongue is going to be very uncomfortable as it will take up a lot of tongue room. Also, fitting a Pelham on an excitable child's pony whose rider has not learnt to have soft hands can be very harsh and often ruin a horse's mouth. Sometimes using a stronger noseband resolves the problem.

Bits that are fitted too small can pinch the corner of the horse's mouth and cause the inside of the gums to rub onto their teeth causing sores and pain. When riding your horse you will find he will be difficult to bend around your leg or he may even start running away with you with high head carriage, he will not be relaxed in the jaw.

Horses vary in temperament; there are light horses that prefer to sit back behind the rider's hands and others that want a faster pace than required. The correct bit chosen cannot be so severe that it stops the more excitable horse from going forward up into the bridle and the slower more relaxed horse from leaning on the forehand. A happy medium should be found to suit both horse and rider ability.

Horse's mouths are just like our mouths, they all unique and bits should be chosen with care and attention so the horse can respect the bit and riders hands.

To correctly size your horse’s mouth, there should be ¼ inch gap either side from the edge of the bit mouthpiece to the corners of the horse's mouth. To measure place your pinky fingers either side of the bit and corners of the mouth, you should be able to comfortably fit your fingers between this space. If you cannot the bit is too small.

Heartland Saddlery's professional bit fitter can work with you and your horse to help find the correct size and type of bit required for all English disciplines. Our vast selection of bits enables you to choose the correct one for you and your horse. If you cannot find the bit or size you are looking for we can order it from our UK and USA suppliers.

Our bit fitting service complements our saddle fitting so we can make sure that your horse is moving freely from it's quarters and back, and up into the bridle with a nice relaxed outline.

If you have requested a saddle fitting and require a bit fitting as well, there will be a small fee of $35.00 plus GST. If you live outside of the Okotoks area and only require a bit fitting there will be a call out fee added to the price.

Bit rental service coming soon!

Get the best out of your horse, call Heartland Saddlery today!

Tel: Sue 403 995 0083