Bridle Bit
NO HIDING KEEL TALENT
Charlie Longsdon predicted a bright future for his wide-margin Leicester winner Hidden Keel. Paddy Brennan took no prisoners on the grey, making all the running and pounding his rivals into submission in the Highfields Novices' Chase.
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How To Fit Pony Bridles Correctly On Your First Try
When it comes to the selection of a bridle for a horse, do you even know what type of bridle to get in the first place? This is where you need some education and a little bit of practice to be sure that you understand how to take the right measurements and purchase the right type of bridle before you go any further.
You might wonder whether you need pony bridles or horse bridles and you can start off by making an approximation based on the size and breed of the animal. Some larger ponies will require a Cob Size, but most ponies will be perfectly happy in pony sized equipment. Smaller thoroughbreds also require cob sized tack, which will pretty much cover any animal between 14.2 and 15.3 hands. Full or Horse Size refers to animals like the bigger thoroughbreds and the saddlebreds and will cater for the majority of animals. Oversized tack is reserved for particularly large horses.
To determine the actual size that you require, you should measure the horse from one corner of the mouth over the poll to the other corner of the mouth. The poll is a protrusion at the back of the skull immediately behind and right between the ears. This is where the crownpiece of a bridle passes. You can determine the noseband size by measuring across the muzzle and also get the browband size by measuring across the forehead. These are the fundamental measurements and you would now be able to compare these with anything available to make sure that you have the right choice.
To make sure that the bridle fits correctly, first you need to make sure that the horse is correctly secured before fitting the halter loosely. You should locate the bridle near the bridge of the nose and while holding the bit, open the animal's mouth by placing your thumb in the back. Once it opens, you can slide the bit into place and the bridle into location.
Next you need to locate the crown by pulling the bridle over the ears and then you can fasten the buckles, making sure that they are not too tight while adjusting the chin strap.
If you want to make sure that it is fitted correctly, it's ideal when the buckles of the cheekpieces are close to the middle of the adjustment and the noseband is similarly centred. It's quite possible that Your Horse may not fit the definition of "stock," and you might have to select one part (for example a noseband) from a cob, but require cheekpieces or browbands which would ordinarily be part of pony bridles.
Ensure that you take all your measurements and try your fitments whenever the horse is in a calm, dry and relaxed state. You should be able to find your measurements and become quite adept at fitting without too much practice. From time to time you will find that you need to replace the bridle and should refer to these notes if you need a refresher.
About the Author
Nick Morgan is an expert when it comes to
pony bridles
. To find out everything about
bridle
fittings, visit the website at ... http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/
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