Ok I received Toffee's new sized bit today and I'm concerned it's a bit big but there's no way of getting round it if it is!!
To cut a long story short, he was in a Neue Schule eggbutt snaffle sized 4.75" and I put him in a simple 2 ring gag and went up 1/4" to a 5" with it being a loose ring. The 5" is far too small to the point where it has pinched his mouth and made it bleed on one side. Had it checked by my instructor and she said don't put him in it, it's too small, there's no clearance at all and I should be able to fit an adult finger in the gap between the ring hole and his lips. I can't even fit my little finger in, it is literally flush with his lips, no wonder it rubbed him. I measured it and it is an accurate 5" so I rang Fylde Saddlery and had a 5.25" bit made up for him identical to it.
Tried it tonight and he definitely has the clearance required for a comfortable fit but I worry that it's a bit too large now. Spoke to my instructor and she said it's better to be a tiny bit large than too tight. She came and checked it and said she was happy with it and not to worry.
I rode him in it and he was fine but it's worrying me a little about the size. Just wondered what everyone thought. I have taken some photos - one from each side - to show you. One side looks bigger as it's pulled through more which you will be able to see. I should have straightened it so it was sitting properly but didn't think to. The bit isn't uncomfortable for him from what I can tell, he's still very quiet in the mouth, behaved very well tonight and went very well in it. I just need some opinions really.
To cut a long story short, he was in a Neue Schule eggbutt snaffle sized 4.75" and I put him in a simple 2 ring gag and went up 1/4" to a 5" with it being a loose ring. The 5" is far too small to the point where it has pinched his mouth and made it bleed on one side. Had it checked by my instructor and she said don't put him in it, it's too small, there's no clearance at all and I should be able to fit an adult finger in the gap between the ring hole and his lips. I can't even fit my little finger in, it is literally flush with his lips, no wonder it rubbed him. I measured it and it is an accurate 5" so I rang Fylde Saddlery and had a 5.25" bit made up for him identical to it.
Tried it tonight and he definitely has the clearance required for a comfortable fit but I worry that it's a bit too large now. Spoke to my instructor and she said it's better to be a tiny bit large than too tight. She came and checked it and said she was happy with it and not to worry.
I rode him in it and he was fine but it's worrying me a little about the size. Just wondered what everyone thought. I have taken some photos - one from each side - to show you. One side looks bigger as it's pulled through more which you will be able to see. I should have straightened it so it was sitting properly but didn't think to. The bit isn't uncomfortable for him from what I can tell, he's still very quiet in the mouth, behaved very well tonight and went very well in it. I just need some opinions really.