How To Fit A Bridle On Your Horse

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Measure the bridle

Begin by undoing all the keepers on your bridle. Place the appropriate sized bridle against the side of your horses head. This is to roughly asses the height of the bit and to make sure that when you do put the bridle on, it will not pull on his mouth and hurt him. If the bit is a bit too high, or too low, adjust the cheek straps to the approximate, correct height. Place the bridle against his head once more. We have roughly estimated the correct height. Try the bridle on.

Step 3: Measure the height of the bit

Open your horse's mouth. The bit should be resting on the corners. If not shorten the cheek pieces to the precise height. Adjust the cheek piece on the other side as well, so that they are both level. A good indication to show that you have correctly fitted the bit, is a wrinkle around the mouth, when he has it closed.

Step 4: Measure the width of the bit

Place a thumb on either side of the bit rings. There should be a thumb's distance either side of the mouth.

Step 5: Measure the throat lash

The throat lash strap is normally attached to the head piece. It is always done up on the left hand side. Once fastened, you should be able to fit 4 fingers or a fist between the throat area and the lash.

Step 6: Fit the caversan noseband

It should be at a height where you can fits two fingers under the projecting cheek bone. If it is too low, adjust the fastening to the correct height. Check once more with your fingers. When the noseband is fastened, you should be able to fit two fingers inside.

Step 7: Check the brow band

This should fit snugly around his head. It should never be too tight as this would pull the head piece forwards and pinch the horses ears. The brow band should not be too loose either - otherwise it could slip backwards.

Step 8: Fit the reins

The reins should be the correct length, for the size of your horse. When you take up the rein contact, with your horses head in his normal ridden position, the spare ends should not interfere with the foot or stirrup. If the reins are too short, your horse cannot stretch and relax

Step 9: Some final advice

When you are buying a new bridle, it's best to always have a few holes extra to be able to adjust shorter or longer as leather stretches in time. Or you may need to change the horses bit at some point.