Sizing – A Simple Guide
Sizing is very important when it comes to the comfort and function of the bit.
When placing a Bombers bit in the horse’s mouth, the Bombers engraving and size stamp should be on the left side of the horses head, facing outwards. Bomber came up with this innovative idea to only add stamps and sizing on the left-hand side of the bit to ensure all of the bits will be correctly used without confusion. By just looking at the size stamp (and on some bits, the Bombers button) you will be able to determine which way the bit should go in the horses mouth – this prevents fitting the bits backwards or upside down.
If the sizing of the bit is incorrect it can affect the functionality of the mouthpiece as pressures will not be distributed accordingly due to the mouthpiece not sitting correctly in the mouth. It can also have an affect on how the cheekpiece functions.
An incorrectly fitted bit can cause sores and damage to the internal structures of the horses mouth. When a bit is too big it can slide and be pulled through the mouth, this increased movement creates friction between the bit, the internal mouth structures and the horse’s lips. It can lead to pinching of the lips, damage to bars, uncomfortable pressures applied, sores and more.
The horses mouth can be measured by:
- Using a Bombers Bit measure.
- Using a wooden stick and martingale rubbers.
- Converting bit sizes.
Different types of mouthpieces and cheekpiece combinations sit differently in the mouth and require different sizes
Mouthpieces:
- A solid mouthpiece should be the same size as the mouth size.
- A semi-broken and flexible mouthpieces need an additional 5mm to set, as they have some movement.
- Broken mouthpieces need an additional 10mm as they curve round and relax down in the horses mouth.
Cheekpieces:
- A fixed cheekpiece does not need additional millimeters added to the size as a fixed cheekpiece is meant to sit snug against the lips.
- A loose type of cheekpiece needs an additional 5mm added, this 5mm is to prevent any pinching of the lips. However, when checking the fit no more than 2.5mm should show between the lips and hole the cheekpiece goes through.
Bombers uses millimetres to have a wider range of bit sizes. When the millimetres are converted into inches, it does not always give a whole number, hence our table converter is only there to offer a reference point to ensure sizing up or sizing down will be done accurately.
Conversion Table:
Bombers (mm) | 90 | 95 | 100 | 105 | 110 | 115 | 120 | 125 | 130 | 135 | 140 | 145 | 150 | 155 | 160 |
Inches | 3.5” | 3.75” | 4” | 4.25” | 4.5” | 4.75” | 5” | 5.25” | 5.5” | 5.75” | 6” | 6.25” | 6.5” | 6.75” | 7” |
Assessing the fit of the bit can be done by assessing the external fit of the cheekpiece.
A fixed type cheekpiece is a cheekpiece that is directly attached to the mouthpiece.
A fixed cheekpiece is meant to sit snug against the lips, this prevents the mouthpiece from being pulled through the mouth. A fixed cheekpiece allows for a quicker application of pressure than a loose ring and a slower release of pressure.
Correct fitting Fixed cheekpiece:
A loose type cheekpiece is a cheekpiece that is not fixed to the mouthpiece, the cheekpiece moves through a hole in the mouthpiece, allowing the mouthpiece to be able to slide on the cheekpiece.
A loose cheekpiece does require an extra 2.5mm on either side of the cheekpiece to create space for the loose ring to rotate, preventing pinching of the lips. A loose cheekpiece is Bombers preferred cheekpiece. A loose cheekpiece allows for a quick release of pressure, returning the mouthpiece to a neutral position in the mouth, it allows for a slow application of pressure.
Correct fitting Loose cheekpiece:
