Measuring and Trying New Bits

Bits are measured from inside the cheek pieces, from ring to ring. There are several options available to horse owners when looking for or trying out a new bit.

1.A ‘bit measure’

Horse owners could buy or borrow a bit measure – these gadgets cost around £50 and are fitted inside the mouth – a gauge accurately tells you the size required, and they are available for the different brands of bit available – Bombers Bits does sell a bit measure within its product range. Once in the horse’s mouth, horse owners will need to lift the measure into the correct place; just before any wrinkles begin to form, note the sizing detailed on the measure, just outside the mouth’s lip creases.

2. A straight rod

Using any straight rod, like a wooden spoon handle, can achieve the same result as a proper bit measure. With assistance, lift the rod to the correct place in the mouth, and mark the rod on both sides with a pen, just outside the lip crease. Measuring between these marks gives you the measured mouth size.

3.Borrowing a bit

Whilst equestrian could also try a few other bits that friends or team-mates have for size, this can be problematic, as the type of mouthpiece and cheekpiece of the bit that you measured could affect the sizing; e.g. if the bit you need is a loose ring, which measures slightly longer, and the bit you are borrowing is a fixed cheek piece bit. If however you do have a bit to borrow that is similar to the one you want, and is the right size, you can simply lay it down on a flat surface and pull the rings apart so the bit is at its maximum length. Measure along the full length of the mouthpiece from the inside edge of the ring to the inside edge of the opposite ring with a ruler, choosing inches or centimetres. (You could also ask a reputable bitting retailer about their hire packages, having established the size that you believe you need…

Stephen Biddlecombe of World Wide Tack says…

“In my experience, most horses are fitted with bits that are too tight, and this just adds more pressure points to the ‘bitting mix’. With a fixed mouth piece, the size required is the measured size, and with single and double jointed bits, this should be the measured size, plus 10 mm to take into account the joints. In addition to these factors, add 5mm if the bit has a loose ring cheek piece. Nothing additional needs to be added for fixed cheek pieces!”

To see the range of bits from companies such as Bombers Bits, Trust, Neue Schule and more visit the website www.worldwidetack.com today!

 

Taking Part in Arena Polo

Arena polo is a fast-paced version of polo played outdoors on an enclosed all-weather surface, or in an indoor arena.

Unlike outdoor polo, which is played on a 10-acre field, arena polo is played in a smaller set up allowing more venues to host matches and adding to the excitement of the thrilling game.

The match is played as usual, consisting of four chukkas of seven and one-half minutes each but the ball used is slightly larger.

Arena polo is typically far more financially accessible than outdoor polo. Arena polo is also played year-round, which is attractive to many players because it makes progress in the sport easier and quicker!

So what equipment do you need for Arena Polo?

Rider Wear

Being safe and protected whilst playing Polo is essential, alongside a riding helmet Riding Boots, Elbow Pads and Knee Guards should be worn. World Wide Tack offer their own range of top quality products. Click here to view!

Bandages and Tendon Boots
Polo is a fast and furious game and so your pony’s legs must be protected. Polo players often apply both soft fleece bandages and supportive tendon boots in order to maximise protection. World Wide Tack offers 18 different coloured polo bandages designed specifically with polo in mind with extra length for support and protection.

Bits
World Wide Tack supplies Bomber Bits, a must-have for any polo player! Designed by polo player Peter Nel every Bomber bit is made from blue sweet iron which oxidises easily, encouraging salivation and acceptance. In addition World Wide Tack offer a bespoke service where you can choose your mouth and cheek piece size and order it to be hand made and delivered directly to you; perfect for polo!

Leather Work
World Wide Tack pride themself on their bridle work including bridles, martingales, breastplates and more being made exclusively in the UK from top quality leather. You need a firm holding when playing polo and the security that your tack is going to stay intact for the duration in all conditions so World Wide Tack has a range of high quality leather work, built to last and offering maximum quality!

For more information about the wide range of equipment for polo and other disciplines visit the website www.worldwidetack.com

 

Bitting Advice

With many many different equine bitting choices on the market, making the selection of the perfect bit can prove rather overwhelming. It does sometimes take some experimenting to find the right bit for your horse or pony and the perfect bit for one discipline, i.e jumping is unlikely to be the ideal bit for a different activity such as dressage.

Here, we take a look at the main factors for your customers to consider when determining what type of bit they should use for a horse or pony in our latest blog, and highlight some of the bitting options we have available to retailers from Bombers Bits.

Advice for horse owners-

1. Firstly the type of bit you need depends on what discipline you and your horse undertake. Your equine may require a stronger bit for hunting or jumping but be perfectly capable of working in a relaxed way whilst hacking and schooling in a simple snaffle. Do remember though if you are a competitive equestrian that if you are competing you must check what bits are permitted for that specific discipline!

1. A less experienced rider should always stick to a less severe bit such as a snaffle whereas a more experienced rider that does not rely on the hand for balance in any way can utilise a wider range of bit choices, including such as Pelhams or Gag bits.

1. When deciding on what bit will work for your horse it is vital to also consider the horse as well as yourself, so measuring your horse’s mouth is an important part of finding the right bit. If you need advice on how to measure your equine’s mouth why not ask a trusted friend, your instructor or yard owner?

1. If you have tried lots of different bits to no avail then Bomber Bits  designed by Peter “Bomber” Nel, professional Polocrosse rider, may provide the solution to bitting conundrums.

1. The handmade, sweet iron bits have been developed and tried and tested providing the optimum in bitting excellence. Now used in the upper echelons of Eventing, Polo and Show Jumping throughout Europe, these bits are highly regarded by professionals.
2. Each one is made from blue sweet iron, because it oxidises easily, encourages salivation, helps bit acceptance and is warm and sweet. Bomber’s philosophy is that pressure leads to resistance, and resistance leads to lack of control. So, to get control, you must remove the resistance. Peter explains that the only way to remove the resistance is to remove the pressure and if you cannot remove the pressure, you have to distribute the pressure over a bigger surface area. That is why he designed a bit which distributes the pressure better than many other bits by having a specially rounded shape of mouthpiece.

1. There is a huge variety of Bomber designed bits including bits suitable for every different type of discipline such as; Snaffles, Full Cheek Bits, Gags, Pelhams and Kimblewicks alongside Bomber’s own developments the Happy Tongue, The Bomber Blue and Petros Williams bits, to name but a few. Bomber bits are able to help with problems such as Head Shaking, Sensitive tongues as well as horses carrying their heads too high or too low.

Retailers – call us today to speak to a member of our team to receive all the advice you require – 01825 840002.