How To Fit Pony Bridles Perfectly The First Time Out

How To Fit Pony Bridles Perfectly The First Time Out

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When it comes to the selection of a bridle for a horse, do you even know what type of bridle to get in the first place? This is where you need some education and a little bit of practice to be sure that you understand how to take the right measurements and purchase the right type of bridle before you go any further.

You might wonder whether you need pony bridles or horse bridles and you can start off by making an approximation based on the size and breed of the animal. Some larger ponies will require a cob size, but most ponies will be perfectly happy in pony sized equipment. Smaller thoroughbreds also require cob sized tack, which will pretty much cover any animal between 14.2 and 15.3 hands. Full or horse size refers to animals like the bigger thoroughbreds and the saddlebreds and will cater for the majority of animals. Oversized tack is reserved for particularly large horses.

To start off with measurements, go from one corner of the mouth up and over the poll to the opposite corner of the mouth. If you're not sure what a poll is, it is a protrusion at the rear of the skull between the ears. This is the location of the crownpiece of the bridle. Now, when it comes to the noseband, measure across the muzzle and then move to the forehead to measure across there for the browband size. You should now have the measurements that you need and can look at anything that is available on the shelf to see if you can match it all up.

When it comes to fixing the bridle perfectly, take safety first and be sure that the horse is secured and then fix the halter loosely. Offer up the bridle to the bridge of the nose, hold the bit and open the horse's mouth by putting your thumb toward the back. This should force the animal to open and then you can slide the bit in and adjust the bridle accordingly.

Next you need to locate the crown by pulling the bridle over the ears and then you can fasten the buckles, making sure that they are not too tight while adjusting the chin strap.

If you want to make sure that it is fitted correctly, it's ideal when the buckles of the cheekpieces are close to the middle of the adjustment and the noseband is similarly centred. It's quite possible that your horse may not fit the definition of "stock," and you might have to select one part (for example a noseband) from a cob, but require cheekpieces or browbands which would ordinarily be part of pony bridles.

Ensure that you take all your measurements and try your fitments whenever the horse is in a calm, dry and relaxed state. You should be able to find your measurements and become quite adept at fitting without too much practice. From time to time you will find that you need to replace the bridle and should refer to these notes if you need a refresher.

About the Author:
Nick Morgan is an expert when it comes to pony bridles. To find out everything about bridle fittings, visit the website at ... http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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