HORSIN' AROUND WITH VAN HARGIS
"Bitting Your Horse"

Today we're going to cover how a bit should fit, how the head stall should fit and be adjusted, and how to bit a horse. This is something a lot of people overlook, and others simply don't know how to do it. We'll be using a regular curb bit, which should fit your horse the same way a snaffle bit fits.

To place the bit on the horse, first remove the halter. I use a theory of "pulling on and pushing off," so reach up between the horse's ears (from behind them), and pull the bit up while using your other hand to slide the mouthpiece into the horse's mouth. Be careful of the horse's teeth; make sure you don't hurt his mouth or teeth. Let the horse open his own mouth as you slide the bit in.

Use the hand between the horse's ears to pull the bit on, rather than pushing it on at the animal's mouth. Fit the bit over and behind the horse's ears. Now that the bit is on, make sure the fit is secure, but loose and comfortable for the horse. A lot of folks think the horse should be "smiling" when they pull the bit up. Personally, I don't agree with that because if the horse's lips are pulled back or wrinkled, it means they have pressure applied to them.

You want the horse to be comfortable and relaxed, so you want the fit just as loose and natural-fitting as you can make it. Adjust the buckles on the side (many bits have buckles on both sides of the stall) for a good fit that doesn't apply pressure to the horse's mouth.

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