How To Find Your Perfect Fit - Cheekpieces

A Guide to Cheekpieces

Bits are frequently described as having a mouthpiece for the horse and a cheekpiece for the rider. This is somewhat accurate, but in the end, the bit serves as a tool for two-way communication between the horse and rider.

Loose Rings

The purpose of loose rings is to go to the mouthpiece on their own. As a result, the horse has more flexibility in using his tongue and can adjust the mouthpiece's pressure to his preferred level. Bit Guards will lessen the sensation of the rings moving. The hole that the bit ring passes through in a properly fitted Bit Guard should be located directly on the corner of the mouth. Use bit guards or mouth corner tape to prevent pinching. For a horse who likes to lean on the bit and may feel stiff, loose rings are a suitable option. Choosing a mouthpiece to go with it is also important; for instance, if your horse has a lively mouth, you might want to choose something more stable.

Fixed Rings (Eggbutt, D-Ring, Baucher, Full cheek)

Fixed rings are attached to the mouthpiece, making the reins' contact more stable towards the mouth. Fixed rings encourage a horse to maintain contact with the bit, providing a stable sense for both the horse and the rider. The degree of contact and stability you get depends on which mouthpiece you use with the fixed ring. Fixed rings can also aid with steering and relax a horse who fiddles a lot with the bit. Fixed rings also help to reduce vibration and movement from riders establishing steading and independent hands.

 Fulmer Cheeks

A cheekpiece called a Fulmer will give you a combination of fixed and loose rings. In addition to helping with steering and maintaining the mouthpiece's stability, the Fulmer sides will rest near the horse's face.

By positioning the loose rings farther from the corners of the mouth, the pressure will be applied more downward and inward, encouraging the horse to lift forward and sit up into to your hand while preventing a stiff sensation when he approaches the bit.

Many horses find it to be a comfortable option, and it's a terrific option for a young horse to start. It should be mentioned that to avoid the bit twisting and/or catching on objects and posing a safety issue, Fulmer bits MUST ALWAYS be used with keepers.

Kimberwick or Kimblewick

The Kimblewick can be thought of as a stationary ring that can be made more leveraged if necessary. More pressure will be applied and distributed throughout the lips, poll, and chin the lower you position your rein. Must like a Baucher the Kimblewick's stable sensation can be beneficial for sensitive and spooky horses that become powerful, unsteady, and challenging to turn. A horse with a neck position becomes too high may benefit from the Kimblewick's ability to distribute pressure further down in the mouth. A chain or strap behind the chin is always worn with kimblewicks.

Universal

Together with the desired leverage and flexibility felt from the Universal rings, this cheekpiece's adjustability offers a stable mouthpiece. When the reins are in the lower rings, universal rings function as a leverage bit. The ring will slide and apply pressure on the mouth and neck. Divide the strain on the mouth, poll, and chin by fastening a chain or strap between the upper rings that extend behind the chin.

There are numerous approaches to determining your horse's preferences. Some methods of distributing and balancing the bit's stresses include the use of double reins and Pelham roundings or equalisers.

A horse that becomes heavy, stiff, or excessively long and low may benefit from the flexible and light feel that universal rings provide, but they may still be sensitive if the bit moves too much in the mouth.

Pelham

Similar to a Kimblewick, this cheekpiece is worn with two reins. It is a cross between a curb bit and a Baucher bit. The rein in the bottom ring will provide leverage, but the rein in the snaffle ring will not. The rider will benefit from having leverage just when necessary as a result. To utilise just one rein, a pelham can alternatively be used with a converter strap, Pelham roundings, or equalisers in between the rings. Because this kind of bit may be fairly severe in unsteady hands, it should only be used by riders who have independent hands and seats with a solid understanding of the aids.

 Double Bridles

Two bits, a bradoon, and a Weymouth make up a double bridle.

Each bit can be used independently or in combination, and each has its own set of reins. The bradoon, sometimes known as the bridoon, is used similarly to a snaffle, except it often has smaller rings that can be fastened or loose.

A bradoon should be placed towards the mouth corner, just like your snaffle. The Weymouth curb has a leverage effect and is a little lower than the bradoon. A 7cm shank offers a higher level of pressure, but it will act more slowly and hold the touch farther down. A shorter shank (5 cm) works faster, have an elevating effect, and have a little less leverage than a longer shank.

There are two methods for fitting the Weymouth bit.

·       The top cheek bar, commonly known as purchase, will glide more freely if the Weymouth is 0.5cm larger than the Bradoon.

·       The Weymouth should be fitted 0.5 cm smaller, though, because it does rest on a thinner portion of the jaw.

The most effective and comfortable way to fit the Weymouth is currently being researched and will feature in a future post.

Stay tuned for more 'How To Find Your Perfect Fit' Tips.