FOCUSONSADDLING In this issue we talk to TheSocietyofMasterSaddlerstalk to us about FITTING ADVICE BRIDLE
Q A
uestion: Ihavejustbought anew hors
uestion: I have just bought a new horse andneed to buy anew bridle,what should Ilook forinanew bridle and howdoIensureitis fittedcorrectly and will be comfortable forthe horse?
nswer: The SocietyofMaster Saddlers replies: Firstofall, youneedtothink about the purpose of the bridle and what youare going to be
doing with your horse.A well selected, correctly fitting bridle canenhancethe best pointsofahorse’sheadand help disguise the less fortunate. In showing this canbe used to greatadvantage.A horse that is comfortable in his bridle will also be able to move morefreely. Remember horsescome in manydifferent shapesand sizes
and every breed has individual attributes that makethem suited to aspecificdiscipline,interestorshowing class. Youcan go to your local Saddlery shop and selectthe
finest, well designed bridle using the finest materials and crafting. It could be justwhat youneedand show off your horse but only if it fits correctly… and quite simply it canbeauseless tool if it doesnot fit! If youare taking part in anyspecialistdisciplines
or classesmakesureyou knowthe rulesand know what is and is not allowedtobeworn. This could be acostly mistake if youare planning to compete. The simplest and mostcommon bridle is the snafflebut fitting abridle has the same principleswhatever the style.
When fitting abridle on ahorse forthe firsttime hold the
bridle at the side of the horse’sheadtoget arough ideaof howbig the head is. Adjustthe fastenings as necessary,if youdon’tdothis youmay struggle to get the headpieceover the horse’sheadifitistoo small. Straps canbeleftout of their keepersand runnerstomakeadjusting quick and easy. Oncethe bridle is in place, do up the buckles,
starting from the topand working down. The browband mustnot be so tight that it pinchesthe back
of the ears or pulls the bridle forward. If fitted toohigh it will rub around the base of the ears causing discomfort, which may cause head shaking. The bridle should be loose enough to not cause the horse discomfort but secureenough not to slip off. Acorrectly fitted bit should hang so that it sitsinthe inter
orbital space, and is not in contactwith anyofthe teeth, the height and fitofthe bitdepends very much on the horse’s
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FEBRUARY/MARCH2021
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