Training Tip: Proper Bit Placement for Your Horse

Question: I’m getting ready to move my colt from a hackamore to a bridle with a smooth snaffle bit. Can you give me some guidance on how high or low to adjust the bit in his mouth? I’m confused about what the proper fit is. – SANDYJ

Answer: I want the bit to sit right in the corner of the horse’s mouth. The old rule of thumb used to be to adjust the bit so that there were three wrinkles in the side of the horse’s mouth. I don’t agree with that, because if there are wrinkles, it means there is pressure on the horse’s mouth all the time. I want the bit to be placed so that when I pick up on the reins, there is pressure applied to his mouth, but when I release the reins, the bit pressure releases as well.

When I release pressure, I want it to be a genuine reward to my horse. Remember, horses learn from the release of pressure. They dream about us not pulling on them. So show your horse that if you apply pressure to his mouth and he gives, you’ll reward that by releasing the pressure and not pulling.

When you’re adjusting the bit in your horse’s mouth, think of this: Open your mouth and then take your pointer finger and lay it flat across your mouth so that it rests right in the corners. Then gently close your lips around it. That’s how you want the bit to feel to your horse. Your finger isn’t pressing on the corners of your mouth or stretching your lips backwards and it’s not hitting your teeth. It’s just resting comfortably in your mouth.

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