Sprenger Bit Measure Card

The Sprenger Bit Measure Card is an invaluable tool that will help you select the correctly sized bit for your horse.

Sprenger advises the following:
Bits are the means of communication between rider and horse. They are intended to pass on the rider's aids to the horse directly and specifically. In order for a bit to achieve the desired effect as well as possible, two things are important. Shape and size must fit the anatomy of the horse. Besides, it must be correctly buckled. When choosing the size of the bit, you have to consider two factors in particular; the width and the thickness.

The width of the bit
It is important that bits are correctly buckled. There should be no more than 0.5 cm space between the mouth angle and the bit ring / side part on the right and left. With loose ring snaffles, the bit ring should be able to slide freely through the ring hole. Otherwise it can pinch the mouth corners.

But what about bits with fixed side parts (e.g. eggbutt and D-ring bits, Full Cheeks and Pelhams)? Many people do not know that these should always be one size smaller than loose ring snaffles. The best effect of these bits is achievable when the side part is close to the corner of the mouth. The bit lies steadier in the horse's mouth and with the help of the side parts a more lateral effect is the result.

The bit thickness
The bit thickness should be adapted to the anatomical conditions of the horse's mouth. With the help of a horse dentist or the "2-finger test" it is possible to find out how much space there is in the horse's mouth.

This is how you can also determine the required bit thickness: Place the index and middle fingers in the horse's mouth at the (toothless) place where the bit lies. Push the tongue to the side and wait until the horse starts to chew and the incisors come together. If the distance between the upper and lower cheeks is small, you can feel pressure on both fingers. The recommended thickness is then 14 - 16 mm. If the distance between upper and lower jaw is greater, you will hardly feel any pressure on your fingers. The recommended thickness is then 16 - 18 mm.

If a too thick bit is chosen, there is a risk that pressure is exerted on the sensitive palate. This can cause pressure points and injuries. In any case it is unpleasant for the horse and can lead to head tossing, opening of the mouth or pushing against the hand.