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This is a guide to help you fit your bit correctly on your horse.
Knowing how to fit a bit correctly on your horse is essential. The bit must be the correct size, placed at the right height on the bridle, and fit the horse's mouth.
We always recommend having a dentist help you fit the bit if you feel unsure.
When choosing the bit length, knowing how the brand you're buying from measures the bits is helpful, as different brands measure the bits differently. You can see how we measure the Fager bits here.
When the bit is placed in the horse's mouth, the mouthpiece should not be sticking out from the mouth. There shouldn't be any space between the rings and the mouth, but it shouldn't add pressure on the teeth or cheeks.
This photo shows a bit that is too wide, one size too big, for the horse. The mouthpiece is outside the mouth, with space between the rings and mouth corners. A bit that is too wide can cause injuries to the mouth due to friction when the bit slides from side to side or wear on the teeth. It can also cause significant discomfort to the horse and a delayed feeling then you take the reins.
This photo shows a bit that is the perfect size for the horse. The sidepiece lies close to the horse without any space on the sides, but it does not push on the teeth or cheek. A bit that's the correct size will minimize the risk of injuries and discomfort.
This photo shows a bit that is too narrow, one size too small, for the horse. The sidepieces are punching on the side of the horse. A bit that's too narrow can cause the cheek to be pressed between the teeth or other pressure injuries. It can also cause significant discomfort to the horse.
The most common thing we see is the 2 wrinkle rule, which we do not recommend using.
Using the 2 wrinkle rule can result in the bit sitting too low for horses with short smiles, or too high for horses with long smiles. This will not only cause discomfort for the horse, it can also cause damage to the teeth and mouth.
How should the bit fit, then?
It is very individual from horse to horse. You should be able to fit at least 2-3 fingers, depending on the size of the horse, between the mouthpiece of the bit and where the premolar teeth start. However, the bit should not be too far down so it gets in contact with the canine teeth or disturbs the horse.
For some horses the perfect position might result in wrinkles or no wrinkles, depending on how big lips and smile the horse has and how the mouth is shaped. If you feel unsure, ask your horse's dentist.
This photo shows how you use the 2-3 fingers method, which is much safer than the 2-wrinkle rule.
Knowing what shape will fit your horse's mouth can be hard. We recommend all horse owners to let their dentist look inside the mouth, show and explain how your horse looks in the mouth. This can easily be done when your dentist is looking at the teeth.
Important things to take into account when choosing a bit:
The shape of the bars. High, sharp bars or bars with a lot of flesh on them are unsuitable with bits that have a tongue relief/port. Especially if the horse has a flat tongue.
Flat or big tongue. If the horse has a flat tongue, a bit without a port is better to make sure that you don't get too much pressure on the bars. If your horse has a big/high tongue, a bit with tongue relief can be more comfortable as it gives more space to the tongue.
The shape of the palate. A horse with a wide, high and round palate can use many different bits, including bits with a tongue relief/port. A horse with a narrow, low, and round palate may need a thinner single-jointed bit to not interfere with the lowest point of the palate when you take the left or right rein.
Width between the bars. Suppose the horse has a short space between the bars, a double-jointed bit can cause damage to the bars if the middlepiece is too wide or the joints are too big. Then, a single-jointed and/or a bit with smooth joints can be better suited.
You can check these essential things at home or ask your dentist to check them at your next appointment. For example, it's just as important to have a bit that fits the shape of your horse's mouth as it is to have a saddle that fits your horse's back or shoes that fit your horse's hooves.
