EquestrianHow2 » bitting http://equestrianhow2.com Operating Instructions for Your Horse Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:32:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How to attach a snaffle bit to a bridle http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/10/09/how-to-attach-a-snaffle-bit-to-a-bridle/ http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/10/09/how-to-attach-a-snaffle-bit-to-a-bridle/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:09:51 +0000 admin http://equestrianhow2.com/?p=206 Snaffle bits come with several different mouthpiece options — a mullen mouth, which is straight, and either a single or double jointed mouthpiece.

It’s important that the mouthpiece be configured in the proper way for the bit to work properly. Since many bits are made with ring cheek pieces, it can be inadvertently attached to [...]]]>

Snaffle bit attached correctly to the bridle

Here the snaffle bit is correctly attached to the bridle. You can see how the mouthpiece is configured so that the bit faces forward. This allows it to drape over the tongue.

Snaffle bits come with several different mouthpiece options — a mullen mouth, which is straight, and either a single or double jointed mouthpiece.

It’s important that the mouthpiece be configured in the proper way for the bit to work properly. Since many bits are made with ring cheek pieces, it can be inadvertently attached to the bridle incorrectly and will cause a lot of pain to the horse.

When a snaffle bit has jointed mouthpiece, it is important that the joint drape downward. This allows the bit to fit into the bars of the mouth (where the horse has no teeth) and drape over the tongue.

If the bit is attached to the bridle backwards, the snaffle joint creates a sharp angle because the joint is bent in the

Snaffle bit installed backwards

When a snaffle bit is installed backwards the joint creates a sharp point that would dig into the horse's palate.

wrong direction. If the rider were to pull on the reins when the bit was backwards, it would drive the joint into the palate of the horse’s mouth and cause pain.

 

 

]]> http://equestrianhow2.com/2011/10/09/how-to-attach-a-snaffle-bit-to-a-bridle/feed/ 0 How to warm your horse’s bit before riding http://equestrianhow2.com/2010/01/04/how-to-warm-your-horses-bit-before-riding/ http://equestrianhow2.com/2010/01/04/how-to-warm-your-horses-bit-before-riding/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:03:16 +0000 admin http://equestrianhow2.com/?p=175 Winter riding is exhilarating and fun — but to start your ride of right, you should always warm your horse’s bit before you put it in his mouth. Think about how uncomfortable it is for them to have an ice cold bit in their mouths! When your barn is 20 degrees, so is your metal [...]]]>
A metal bit can get extremely cold in the winter. Do your horse a favor and warm it up.

A metal bit can get extremely cold in the winter. Do your horse a favor and warm it up.

Winter riding is exhilarating and fun — but to start your ride of right, you should always warm your horse’s bit before you put it in his mouth. Think about how uncomfortable it is for them to have an ice cold bit in their mouths! When your barn is 20 degrees, so is your metal bit.

There are several ways to take the cold edge off a metal bit.

  • Warm the bit in your hands. It doesn’t take long before it’s at least not freezing cold.
  • Dunk the bit in a bucket of warm water. I generally heat up water to soak beet pulp and I put the bit in with the dry shreds. The result is a bit that’s warm and tasty!
  • Bring the bit into your car and put it in front of the heater.
  • Use a hackamore or bitless bridle! I rode bitless for years and it sure made winter riding more comfortable for my horse.
  • Choose a rubber or plastic bitting material such as a Happy Mouth bit.
  • You can even buy bit warmers, although that seems a “bit” much!
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