1) Crownpiece
Measure the length of crownpiece (with cheek pieces) required by measuring from one corner of your horse's mouth, over the poll, to the other corner of his mouth.

2) Browband
Measure the length of browband required by measuring from the back edge of the horse's ear, around his forehead, to the back edge of his other ear.

3) Noseband
Measure the length of noseband required by measuring around your horse's muzzle at a point about one inch below his cheekbones.

4) Throat Latch
Measure the length of throat latch required by measuring from back of your horse's ear, under his throat, to the back of his other ear.

Tip: Leather bridle parts may stretch slightly over time with use and conditioning. Factor possible slight stretching into your sizing decision as you select a bridle so that you can be sure it won't become too big for your horse.

How to Clean Your Bridle

Properly caring for your bridle and reins supports maximum performance, longevity your horse's comfort.

After every ride, you'll want to wipe any grime, sweat, saliva and ring dust from your bridle and reins and use either traditional glycerin soap and water or a specially formulated leather cleanser.

Pay particular attention to cleaning areas of your bridle that are typically under pressure during riding and exposed to saliva, such as the ends of cheek pieces and reins where they come in contact with bit rings.

For a traditional and economical method, glycerin soap, a small bucket and a sponge or cloth works great. Barely moisten the sponge with cool water. Unfasten hook stud closures and buckles to remove debris caught by the hardware and to smooth creases in your leather.

After washing, and when the leather feels smooth and clean, rub a nearly dry sponge or rag against the glycerin soap bar. Apply a thin layer of glycerin soap (no suds during this step) to your leather to seal its pores and keep it soft, but not sticky.

Newer methods of cleaning your bridle involve convenient and easy-to-use tack cleaning and conditioning products. Almost every tack manufacturer has a recommendation or product preference for cleaning and conditioning its products, and some manufacturers produce their own. Always follow manufacturer's guidelines when considering commercial leather cleaners and conditioners.

One-step leather cleaners also condition your leather as you wipe away grime. Two-step cleaners usually advise following cleansing with a conditioner that will soften and protect the leather.

For a properly fitted bridle, a caveson noseband should sit just below the horse's cheekbones - generally no more than the width of 2 fingers from the bottom of the cheekbone to the top of the noseband (this does not apply to drop or figure 8 nosebands). Figure 8 nosebands should sit above the bottom of the cheek bone only if they have a ring that allows movement connecting the noseband to the cheek piece. The browband should never be gaping or flopping.

Properly adjusted cheek pieces will cause the bit to create two gentle wrinkles at the corner of the mouth on each side. Cheek piece buckles should generally be at the level of a horse's eye, and on a bridle that fits a horse's head very well, all buckles will generally be at the same level as each other. These cheek piece guidelines are just a suggestion, as finding a perfect fit on all horses is near impossible. Multiple holes are given on cheek pieces to allow for vast adjustment. Keep in mind that the proper position of the bit is a priority over buckle placement.

Some horses can be difficult to fit in a stock size bridle. For this reason, additional bridle pieces can be bought in a variety of sizes and it is never a problem to mix and match sizes of individual pieces to get the proper fit.

For a bridle size chart, please refer to the "Size Guide" link that appears on the product page.

How to Attach a Nameplate to a Halter, Bridle, Martingale or Breastplate

Required Tools: will need a leather hole punch, hammer and pencil.

Steps:
1. Unwrap your nameplate and identify the rivets as having two posts and two caps.
2. Center the plate where you would like it ; mark its holes with pencil.
3. Use the hole punch centered on the pencil marks. A good quality hole punch with appropriate pressure applied should be able to penetrate even thick leather halters.
4. Push the rivet posts through the back of the tack so the posts are pointed toward you.
5. Put the nameplate on rivet posts.
6. Place rivet caps onto the posts, and tap the caps with a hammer.

Note: If you do not feel comfortable installing your own nameplate, we are happy to help. Bring your plate and tack into your local Dover Saddlery store for assistance. Your local leather repair professional or cobbler may also be able to assist you.

How to Measure for a Bit

Here are some general guidelines for finding the correct size bit for your horse or pony. To shop our entire selection of English bits online, click here. To find the right sized bit, you should consider both the length of the mouthpiece and the width of the mouthpiece in combination with the conformation of your horse’s mouth.

Eggbutt Bit

Double Jointed Loose Ring Bit

Hunter D Ring Bit

Full Cheek Bit

Elevator Bit

Kimberwicke Bit

Pelham Bit

Length of the Mouthpiece

The length of the bit corresponds to the width of your horse’s mouth. This measurement is usually provided in inches and fractions of an inch, such as 5" or 5 1⁄2".

When attached to an appropriately adjusted bridle, the bit should rest comfortably at the corners of your horse’s mouth. In general, the bit rings should not press very hard against the horse’s face, indicating that the length is too short. A bit that is too short may pinch the sensitive corners of the horse’s mouth.



A side view of the eggbutt snaffle bit.



An eggbutt snaffle bit resting comfortably at the corners of the horse’s mouth.

Conversely, if you see one-half inch or more of the mouthpiece on each side between the lips and the bit rings, the bit is too long. A bit that is too long can slip sideways in the horse’s mouth, becoming ineffective and causing soreness.

The specific type of bit you choose will slightly influence the desirable bit length. A full cheek snaffle, Pelham or elevator bit should fit snugly next to the horse’s cheek, but should not squeeze or pinch.

For a loose ring snaffle or any bit with moveable rings, make sure that the horse’s lips completely clear the bit ring holes by 1/8 inch on each side. Otherwise, the horse’s skin can become pinched into the holes as the action of the loose ring works with the rein.



The loose ring bit is sized so that the horse’s lip clears the hole where the loose ring slides to prevent pinching.

Rubber bit guards can be used with loose ring bits to prevent pinching, but if you plan to compete with them, check with the governing body of your competition to be sure that their use is allowed. For example, bit guards are strictly forbidden in recognized dressage competitions and in dressage tests that are part of sanctioned and unsanctioned three-phase events. On the other hand, bit guards are allowed in show jumping classes.

You can measure your horse’s mouth to determine the length of bit required in two ways. The easiest way is to use a Bit Sizer, which is a simple and inexpensive plastic measuring device that slides into the horse’s mouth. Inch increments correspond directly to bit sizes, and you take the reading just as you would using a ruler. As described previously, depending on the type of bit you’re selecting you may want to add 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch to the bit sizer measurement.



Using a bit sizer

Alternatively, you can use a piece of string in place of a commercial bit sizer if your horse will cooperate. Mark the spots on the string that meet the corners of the horse’s mouth, then lay the string against a ruler to obtain your bit length measurement. Again consider the type of bit you’re selecting and whether you should add a bit of length to the measurement.


Width of a Mouthpiece



The width of a bit refers to its circumference at the widest part of the mouthpiece. This measurement may be in either inches or in millimeters. For most horses, the thinner the bit, the more severe its action on the horse’s mouth. This is because the pressure from the bit is exerted on a narrower surface.

Similarly, in general, the thicker the bit, the more gentle its action on the horse’s mouth because the pressure is distributed over a wider surface. However, a qualification to this guideline is that the bit cannot be too thick in relation to the space in the horse’s mouth to accommodate it. The height of the palate (roof of the mouth) in combination with the thickness of the tongue determines the amount of space available for the bit. If the bit is too thick, it will put constant pressure on the horse’s mouth, and could even make swallowing difficult. Always consider the conformation of a horse’s mouth when choosing bit width.

Your equine dentist, veterinarian or a knowledgeable trainer can help you determine whether your horse’s palate is normal or high, which could allow for a thicker bit to be used, or very low, which could reduce the thickness of the bit that may be used. You can usually identify the conformation of the horse’s tongue by prying open the side of the lips. A small or average sized tongue lies below or level with the bars of the mouth. A thick tongue rises above the bars or spills over the bars and between the teeth.


Should I Borrow a Bit from a Friend?

Borrowing a bit from a friend can be a useful tool for determining a type or size of bit to purchase. However, you should never put a used bit in your horse’s mouth without sterilizing it first.

The easiest way to sterilize a bit is to run it through a dishwasher cycle that supplies hot water at a 180 degree temperature.

Another method is to scrub all aspects of the bit with a soft toothbrush and a surgical scrub. Let the solution remain on the bit for 15 minutes, then rinse cleanly. Next, submerse the bit in a solution of one teaspoon bleach to one quart of water. Let the bit sit in the solution for 15 minutes, and then rinse it clean and dry thoroughly.

Note: Some bits made of combined metals, plastics, or rubber will discolor during sterilization.