Template for your horse's mouth anatomy
The importance of knowing the shape of your horse's mouth
Every rider knows how important it is to have a saddle that fits the shape of the horse's back; some horses are wide with big withers, and others are smaller with a short back. All horses have different shapes.
What many riders can forget is that it's the same principle with bits. All horses have different shapes sizes and need different types of bits. The choice of the bit cannot only be based on the feeling you want form the bit, it also has to be based on the shape of the horses mouth to minimize discomfort and injuries.
The correct shape of the mouthpiece
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.
How do I know what shape my horse's mouth has?
Knowing how your horse's mouth is shaped and what bit you should use can be challenging. That's why we have created a template to help you! Just like you take out a saddle fitter, you can hire a dentist to help you answer the questions on this template. Knowing the shape of your horse's mouth is essential to ensure their comfort and minimize the risk of injuries. Not all horses can wear the same types of bit.
Do you want to print your template or use it digitally?
Choose the option that you prefer. The digital template is easier to use and the preferred choice if you need Fager's help to find a suitable bit afterward.
How do I know which bit will fit the shape of my horse's mouth?
Now that you know how your horse's mouth is shaped, it's easier for us to help you find which bit and shape can be the best option for your horse. We can help you find an option suitable for your horse's mouth and the feeling you want from the bit.
Contact us at info@fagerequestrian.com or, preferably, if you used the template digitally, answer the email with your result.
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