Bombers Measurements
BOMBERS PHILOSOPHY
"PRESSURE = RESISTANCE"
"RESISTANCE = LACK OF CONTROL"
-Bomber Nell-
A horse is an animal of flight – it will never yield to pressure or pain, it will either move away from it or run away. To obtain control we need to remove the resistance. To remove the resistance, one must remove the pressure or distribute the pressure over a larger surface area.
HOW TO FIT A BIT
Getting the fit of the bit correct is vitally important to the horse’s comfort. A bit that is far too small can cause pinching of the lips, but a bit that is too large can cause even more problems.
We have only been taught to look at how the bit fits the outside of the lips, without any consideration of how the bit functions inside of the mouth. When the mouthpiece is too large, the joints move, and the curves can sit incorrectly in the mouth. This leads to the mouthpiece applying pressure to areas it should not be.
An oversized bit will also create too much movement in the mouth. Allowing the bit to slide from side to side through the mouth. This movement causes discomfort as well as a background noise to the rider’s aids. When it comes to selecting the correct size, we need to take into account the horse’s actual mouth measurement but also consider how fleshy the lips are, how wide the lower jaw is and where the horses teeth are in relation to where the bit will sit.
STEP 1
MEASURE THE HORSE'S MOUTH FOR A LOOSE AND FIXED CHEEKPIECE
Make a note of the traditional mouth measurement and again after gently compressing the lips.
LOOSE, Traditional measurement, add 5mm to avoid any pinch.
FIXED AND LOOSE & FIXED, Compress the lips until a snug fit, eliminating any side to side movement of the mouthpiece through the mouth.
STEP 2
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MOUTHPIECE
Bombers bits 6 different types of mouthpieces: Solid, Semi-Broken, Cable, 1 Break, 2 Break, Flexible
Bombers recommended thickness for each width:
- thickness 10mm (B10), width 90-115mm
- thickness 12mm (B12), width 120-130mm
- thickness 14mm (B14), width 135-145mm
- thickness 16mm (B16), width 150-160mm
Note, thinner mouthpiece is stronger than recommended thickness.
Also try the bits, which are made of different materials.
Note, exception mouthpieces Ported Barrel* and McHardy / McHardy Dressage**
INTERDENTAL SPACE
Position over the widest part of the lower jaw, avoiding any obstructions. The horse’s balance point is its head, unlike cats, dogs where the balance point is in the tail.
By watching the frame and composure of a horse, and in particular its head, resistance can be identified and though incremental bitting changes, the Bombers Methodology can help make a good horse great.
The Goal of bitting
The horse takes and is receptive to contact, its head is settled and comfortable, with a relaxed mouth and increased salivation.
Conformation
Before the bitting process starts, the horse conformation must be noted, for any factors which may contribute to the bit pressures and the horse’s preferences.
Take a wholistic view before bitting… it is important to remember the entire horse is an interlinked machine, with many factors needing to be perfectly balanced to find harmony. One factor of which is the bit and its immediate relationship with the horse’s tongue.
When bit fitting, seekout negative resistance to the bit, clear signs from the horse due to the bit alone… and not from an external factor.
BARS
Bar pressure is generally well received and will encourage poll flexion. Bomber recommends moving the bits pressure to the bars while providing tongue relief.
Examine the surfaces of both bars with your thumbs at the same time.
- are the bars smooth or sharp?
- are there any sharp edges?
- are the bars equally high?
- do you feel or see any damages?
If the bars are sharp or sensitive, there is some damages or horse resist the bar pressure. Avoid bits where is too much bar and pinch pressure.
PINCH
All broken bits create some pinch. Single break bits such as the snaffle create the most pinch. Double break bits all create some pinch, determined by the width of the centre component.
THE GAP BETWEEN BARS
Examine how many fingers fits between the bars. Make sure the horse closes its mouth. The bit should not be thicker than the gap between the bars. Usually, the horse has a big gap between bars, so it doesn't limit the thickness of the bit.
Note that the horse's top jaw is wide and the bottom jaw very thin. So the bit sits in a very thin place.
NOTE that the horse's top jaw is wide and the bottom jaw very thin. So the bit sits in a very thin place.
LIPS
The length of the smile will also determine where the bit sits. Optimal being in front of the premolars over the widest section of the lower bars. Fleshy lips can also be squeezed slightly with a fixed cheekpiece, to achieve a snug fit.
Examine with your fingers how thick and fleshy horse’s lips are..
- are the lips thin or thick?
- are the lips fleshy inside the mouth?
- do you feel or see any damages?
- how long is the horse’s smile?
If the horse have thick and fleshy lips the bit sizing has to be just right. Avoid too wide or thin bits. The length of the smile will also determine where the bit sits. Optimal being in front of the premolars over the widest section of the lower bars. An oversized bit allowing the bit to slide from side to side through the mouth, the joints move, and the curves can sit incorrectly in the mouth.
When it comes to selecting the correct size, we need to take into account the horse’s actual mouth measurement but also consider how fleshy the lips are, how wide the lower jaw is and where the horses teeth are in relation to where the bit will sit.
TONGUE
All bits place some tongue pressure which encourages flexion at the poll. Aim for a relaxed tongue and jaw. This will translate to a relaxed neck, leading onto a relaxed back and free-moving hindquarter and shoulder.
Gently place your finger on the horse's tongue and wait for the horse's reaction..
- avoides finger pressure?
- pushes the tongue into the throat?
- no specific reaction?
If the horse's tongue is very sensitive or horse resist the tongue pressure. Avoid bits where is too much tongue pressure. Recommended the tongue ported mouthpieces to give maximum tongue relief.
Bitting problems have several ways of manifesting themselves.
They can be directly related to the bit and its mechanics. Resulting in the horses head not settling and resisting bit contact… described as shaking, pulling or avoiding contact.
Alternatively, problems can originate from physiological discomforts… which can be seen from a holistic view in the movement of the horse. While having the neck, back and teeth checked can solve much of this… problems can persist as a result of peculiar mouth conformations.
AVAILABLE MORE THAN 500,000 BIT’S COMBINATIONS
Our Webstore www.kotielaintarvike.fi/en/ has a very wide range of high quality and excellent Bombers, made by hand from very high quality materials. Bombers can also be ordered in special size and combinations. Our webstore also has a comprehensive information package on bits, based entirely on the dredge manufacturer's instructions and what the bits were originally developed for and what the power and effects of different bits are based on. You find out more about Bombers products at www.bombers.co.za.
More than 500,000 Bombers bits combinations are available to order, so not all options / sizes are even allways available in the factory ware house. However, we want to offer our customers the opportunity to get acquainted with the selections of different manufacturers and brands and order them easily and reliably through our webstore. In addition, our customers always get expert help from our customer service, so contact us on email if you have any questions! ratsastus@kotielaintarvike.fi
You can also contact directly at the Bombers, call Mrs. Claire +27 (0) 73 297 5492 or email to her, claire@bombers.co.za
HAPPY HORSE - HAPPY RIDER
