How Bits are Measured How Bits Are MeasuredTo find the right size bit for your horse or pony, consider both the length of the mouthpiece and the width of the mouthpiece in combination with the conformation of your horse's mouth.
Length of the MouthpieceBit length corresponds to the width of your horse's mouth. This measurement is usually provided in inches and fractions of an inch, such as 5 inch or 5 1/2 inch.
When attached to an appropriately adjusted bridle, a bit should rest comfortably at the corners of a horse's mouth and shouldn't press too hard against a horse's face. This would indicate the bit length is too short, and the horse may feel pinching at the sensitive corners of his mouth.
Conversely, if you see a 1/2 inch or more on each side between the lips and bit rings, the bit is too long. A bit that is too long can slip sideways in a horse's mouth, becoming ineffective and causing soreness.
The specific type of bit you choose will influence slightly the desirable bit length. A full cheek snaffle, Pelham or elevator bit should sit snuggly next to your horse's cheeks, but should not squeeze or pinch. For a loose ring snaffle or any bit with moveable rings, make sure that your 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 rings works with the reins.
Measure your horse's mouth to determine the length of bit required in either of two ways:
- A Bit Sizer, simple but accurate, is a plastic device that measures in inches and corresponds to bit sizes. Take the reading as you would on a ruler. Slide the Bit Sizer across the horse's tongue, resting it against the corners of his mouth. The end piece should rest against one cheek comfortably. At the other side, read the inch measurement at the corner of the mouth.
- Use a piece of string in place of a 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.
As described previously, depending on the type of bit you're selecting, you may want to add 1/4 to 1/2 inch to your measurement.
Width of MouthpieceBit width refers to the bit circumference at the widest part of the mouthpiece. This measurement may be in inches or millimeters.
For most horses, the thinner the bit, the more severe its action is on the horse's mouth 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. With this in mind, also consider the conformation of a horse's mouth when choosing bit width. A bit should never be too thick in relation to the space in a horse's mouth.
The height of the palate (roof of the mouth) plus the thickness of the tongue determines the amount of space available for the bit. You can usually identify the conformation of the horse's mouth 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.
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, or very low, which could reduce the thickness of the bit that may be used.
How to Clean How to Clean Your Horse's Bit
Clean your horse's bit routinely after every ride. Any dried spit or food particles left to harden on a bit become abrasive and uncomfortable to your horse's mouth. With regular cleaning you're not only ensuring your horse's comfort, you�re also ensuring that the moving parts of the bit, such as the cheek or ring joints or center lozenges, function as smoothly as intended.
Give the bit a good rinse with water and wipe it thoroughly with a clean rag. Alternatively, use flavored Horse Amour® Bit Wipes. These pre-moistened, disposable wipes remove grime quickly and leave a pleasant taste for your horse to enjoy at the next bridling.
Over time, bits may become tarnished from use and exposure. Use a non-toxic, non-acidic metal polish such as Herm Sprenger® Diamond Paste to remove tarnish gently. Developed for use on bit mouthpieces and all types of metal, HS Diamond Paste helps prevent tarnish from recurring. If you use any other type of metal polish, be sure to wash the bit thoroughly with water to remove any trace of the product.
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Shop with 100% confidence at Dressage Extensions. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement.
Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. PLUS: For manufacturer’s defects, we’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty to a maximum of 24 months, regardless of their individual policies. (AND: Manufacturer warranties longer than 24 months will be honored and supported by us as well up to the length of those warranties).
Exceptions: Safety items such as helmets and protective vests may only be returned within 30 days, with their original tags intact. Saddles and riding boots may be returned within the one year period, but are subject to a prorated refund based on usage. Used saddles may be returned for 30 days only. For everyone’s protection, treats and vet meds which have been opened are not returnable, and returned blankets must clean and free of debris.
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• Item was not purchased directly from Dressage Extensions. (It was purchased at a used tack sale or from a retailer or online seller other than Dressage Extensions.)
• Item is missing a label or has been defaced.
• No receipt and no valid identification in our stores.
• Item is wet, dirty or contaminated, or until it has been cleaned. (For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns on used, defective or poorly fitting blankets if they are UNWASHED.)
• Item has been lost, stolen, damaged, or misused.
• On rare occasions, based on the nature of prior transactions.
• Supplements have been opened or used.
• Multiple returns of the same item.
• Personalized items may not be returned unless defective.
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The Neue Schule Slimma Weymouth Bit with 14mm Salox® Gold mouth features an unobtrusive design that provides good lifting action without upper palate interference. The mouthpiece sits well back over the thicker, less sensitive part of the tongue. It is anatomically designed to take up very little room in the mouth, bridging the tongue and contouring under the upper palate to leave much more space for the bradoon.
At 14mm in diameter and with this design, use of a fatter bradoon with this weymouth is possible, which may help a horse that is tentative in the contact. Stainless steel shanks are 7cm long. Curb chain is included.
Why choose a Neue Schule bit?
Neue Schule’s brand philosophy is, “That which is good for the horse is all that matters.” Their philosophy carries through into all aspects of engineering and producing precision bits. You can rest assured that your Neue Schule bit is designed to promote a harmonious partnership between you and your horse.
Neue Schule’s biologically inert mouthpiece metal, Salox Gold, is designed specifically for horses to maintain the natural warmth and softness of a horse’s mouth. By combining three scientific approaches, Salox supports pacifying and quietening the mouth:
1) High thermal diffusivity (warm). The bit rapidly reaches and maintains mouth temperature so that the mouthpiece does not feel cold for long.
2) Just soft enough. The bit material is softer than tooth enamel to ensure that if a horse bites it, the force is safely, comfortably absorbed into the material rather than reflected onto the teeth. It’s also just soft enough to dampen acoustic waves that would otherwise ring into the horse’s jaw.
3) Neutral taste. Salox Gold is low in bioactivity. It promotes a quiet, receptive mouth by discouraging the horse to explore the bit for taste. The addition of aluminum in the metal, which forms an insoluble alumina (oxide) coating, traps the metal ions that would create taste.
In-house scientists, engineers and riders conduct all of the brand’s research and development. Neue Schule bits are ergonomically designed using the latest in engineering and CAD technologies. Sizes range from 4" to 6½". Individual molds are made for every ¼" increment to ensure anatomically correct sizing.
Neue Schule Bits are the Official Bit of U.S. Equestrian.
Imported.
Neue Schule Slimma 14mm Weymouth
| Size | MOUTHPIECE THICKNESS (MM) | MOUTHPIECE THICKNESS (IN.) | Shanks (CM) | Shanks (IN.) | | 4 ¾" | 14 | .55" | 7 | 2.76" |
| 5" | 14 | .55" | 7 | 2.76" |
| 5 ¼" | 14 | .55" | 7 | 2.76" |
| 5 ½" | 14 | .55" | 7 | 2.76" |
| 5 ¾" | 14 | .55" | 7 | 2.76" |
| 6" | 14 | .55" | 7 | 2.76" |
|
How Bits Are MeasuredTo find the right size bit for your horse or pony, consider both the length of the mouthpiece and the width of the mouthpiece in combination with the conformation of your horse's mouth.
Length of the MouthpieceBit length corresponds to the width of your horse's mouth. This measurement is usually provided in inches and fractions of an inch, such as 5 inch or 5 1/2 inch.
When attached to an appropriately adjusted bridle, a bit should rest comfortably at the corners of a horse's mouth and shouldn't press too hard against a horse's face. This would indicate the bit length is too short, and the horse may feel pinching at the sensitive corners of his mouth.
Conversely, if you see a 1/2 inch or more on each side between the lips and bit rings, the bit is too long. A bit that is too long can slip sideways in a horse's mouth, becoming ineffective and causing soreness.
The specific type of bit you choose will influence slightly the desirable bit length. A full cheek snaffle, Pelham or elevator bit should sit snuggly next to your horse's cheeks, but should not squeeze or pinch. For a loose ring snaffle or any bit with moveable rings, make sure that your 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 rings works with the reins.
Measure your horse's mouth to determine the length of bit required in either of two ways:
- A Bit Sizer, simple but accurate, is a plastic device that measures in inches and corresponds to bit sizes. Take the reading as you would on a ruler. Slide the Bit Sizer across the horse's tongue, resting it against the corners of his mouth. The end piece should rest against one cheek comfortably. At the other side, read the inch measurement at the corner of the mouth.
- Use a piece of string in place of a 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.
As described previously, depending on the type of bit you're selecting, you may want to add 1/4 to 1/2 inch to your measurement.
Width of MouthpieceBit width refers to the bit circumference at the widest part of the mouthpiece. This measurement may be in inches or millimeters.
For most horses, the thinner the bit, the more severe its action is on the horse's mouth 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. With this in mind, also consider the conformation of a horse's mouth when choosing bit width. A bit should never be too thick in relation to the space in a horse's mouth.
The height of the palate (roof of the mouth) plus the thickness of the tongue determines the amount of space available for the bit. You can usually identify the conformation of the horse's mouth 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.
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, or very low, which could reduce the thickness of the bit that may be used.
How to Clean Your Horse's Bit
Clean your horse's bit routinely after every ride. Any dried spit or food particles left to harden on a bit become abrasive and uncomfortable to your horse's mouth. With regular cleaning you're not only ensuring your horse's comfort, you�re also ensuring that the moving parts of the bit, such as the cheek or ring joints or center lozenges, function as smoothly as intended.
Give the bit a good rinse with water and wipe it thoroughly with a clean rag. Alternatively, use flavored Horse Amour® Bit Wipes. These pre-moistened, disposable wipes remove grime quickly and leave a pleasant taste for your horse to enjoy at the next bridling.
Over time, bits may become tarnished from use and exposure. Use a non-toxic, non-acidic metal polish such as Herm Sprenger® Diamond Paste to remove tarnish gently. Developed for use on bit mouthpieces and all types of metal, HS Diamond Paste helps prevent tarnish from recurring. If you use any other type of metal polish, be sure to wash the bit thoroughly with water to remove any trace of the product.
