Information on Mouthing and Bit Fitting of Horses
Bits and mouthing of horses
Mouthing a horse requires patience, care and an understanding of the herd mentality of horses. Ideally the horse will come to recognise you as the lead mare and this is best achieved through acquiring trust and respect, rather than relying upon a fearful relationship. This is much more rewarding for both horse and owner and is well worth a gradual and patient process. Even as a very young foal, your horse should become used to being around you and other people to make the transition into training at around two years old a more comfortable experience.
Training must begin with groundwork, training with a long rope. The longe line, or rope should be attached to the horse`s halter and allow for a large circle of movement to teach commands. You will also need to train your horse to walk beside you and stop and turn on your command. During a training session it is advisable to run through the things a horse already knows before moving on to something new and even then the new introduction should only be slightly different to what the horse already knows. A gradual building up of skill is the key.
It is advisable to add a new piece of equipment such as a saddle or a bit just a few minutes at a time, for the first few times in order to allow your horse to become accustomed to it and consider it a normal thing to have. Your horse will need to learn how to swallow saliva with a bit in its mouth and will accept this foreign object more readily if it is introduced slowly. Eventually the horse will no longer object to a bit being placed in its mouth.
A poor approach to fitting a bit will lead to behavioural problems down the line. Some people like to introduce the bit in the feed bucket to allow the horse to play with it and get used to it as an object. Another important element in mouthing a horse is to prepare the horse`s teeth beforehand. A vet should rasp spikes which develop on teeth into a smooth surface so when your horse`s cheeks are pressed against the teeth by bit rings there is no damage to the mouth tissue by sharp and uneven teeth.
When you first introduce a bit, it will not be to ride the horse so it is best to use a gentle bit, such as straight bar bits and bits coated with rubber or plastic. They may not last as long as young horses like to chew on them. They can also be too thick for a young horse`s mouth and if they have particularly short teeth a very thin bit such as a bradoon may be used until the teeth grow. However a thin bit should never be used to ride with as they are much harsher than a thicker one. Snaffles or bits with rings instead of levers are gentler than curbs which should not be used on young horses. You may also like to try mouthing bits with rolling bars or similar attachments which encourage the horse to play with the bit.
A proper fitting is paramount. For a straight bit the rings should be free of each side of the horse`s mouth by a quarter of an inch. For a jointed bit you need to pull the rings down while they are attached to the bridle while it is on the horse to straighten the bit out to judge the size. To judge the correct height pull it down by both rings and the bit should touch the corners of the mouth without creating wrinkles. A properly fitted bit will ensure a comfortable ride for horse and rider and could be the difference between racing tips which are successful or a disaster.
