Our previous article discussed how ponies can tell you that they are not happy with the bit choice you have made for them. This article will discuss how your pony’s makeup will help you determine the direction you need to go in for bit fit. It is important to look inside your pony’s mouth when planning bit fit because it will help you understand how their mouth might be shaped differently from that of other ponies.
A one-size-fits-all approach is not recommended.
Top tip: It may be a good idea to start asking the dentist that deals with your pony to teach you what to look for. Often, they are delighted to teach you where the different parts of your pony’s mouth are. They can help you to see where the bars are and if they are narrow or wide. They can show you the palate and help you to assess if it is low or high. They can look at where the tongue sits and if your pony has a large and fleshy tongue or a thinner tongue. They can also help you to assess if your pony has short or long lips.
Let’s go over some of the common differences and how they impact bit fit:
-
Narrow mouth
One of the most common errors when fitting a bit is choosing a bit too wide for your pony’s mouth. An easy way to measure is to take a wooden rod or spoon and place it in the mouth where you want the bit to fit. Mark the edges of the rod or spoon nice and close to the lips and take it out. Measure the length with a tape measure and choose your bit size accordingly. The size of your bit should be printed on your bit. If it is not, measure the mouthpiece yourself.
With a loose ring bit, add 5mm to the measured length to ensure there is no pinch. Make sure if you slide the bit from left to right, there is very little movement from side to side. Bits that are too wide will result in sliding, which can cause pain and will likely make your rein aids difficult to understand. On the other hand, bits that are too narrow will cause pinching and can rub your pony’s lips.
-
Low palate
A horse with a low palate will require a bit that does not have a high port, as this may cause the port to bang up against the palate when contact is picked up. Similarly, single jointed snaffles can hinge in the middle putting pressure in the middle of the palate which is very uncomfortable for horses with low palates. Arabians and Thoroughbreds commonly have low palates.
-
Thick fleshy tongue and other anatomical anomalies
Certain breeds of horses and ponies also have atypical anatomical characteristics that can make bit fitting a challenge. For example, a large number of ponies have quite large tongues, which means a thick rubber bit that may seem kind will press down unnecessarily on their tongue, likely resulting in the pony opening their mouth to get away from the pain. Using a flash to shut the mouth is treating the symptoms and not addressing the cause. For these ponies, a thinner mouthpiece with possibly a happy tongue shape will likely be best for them.
A note on the Happy Tongue bit: With the Happy Tongue, it is important to ensure you have the correct fit, as a Happy Tongue bit that is too wide will result in the curve of the happy tongue sitting directly on the bars, which can be extremely uncomfortable for the horse. Have someone who is experienced with bit fitting have a look at this for you as it can be tricky to work out yourself!
-
Short lips or long lips
It is important to look at where the corner of your pony’s mouth is situated in relation to the teeth.
Remember, the bars are the section of bone covered by tissue where there are no teeth. The bars are where the bit should sit. Some horses have short muzzles with ‘short’ lips. This means the corner of the mouth where the bit sits is far away from the teeth. These horses can often tolerate more than one wrinkle at the corner of the mouth due to the fact the bit will not likely sit close to the teeth. On the other hand, some horses have long lips, and a one or two wrinkle bit fit may mean the bit bangs against the teeth, which can cause discomfort. A good tip is to try out different bit heights by adjusting your cheekpieces. Your horse will show you what is more comfortable when you put the bit in or, even better, once you are riding. You can, of course, also open the mouth to have a look!
Take-home message
If you are really not sure about bit fit, chat to your dentist for advice. There are also specific bit fitters that can come to your yard with a number of bits to try out so that the trial and error process is not one big guessing game!
