The bridle is one of the most importand pieces of equipment for the ridden horse. The bridle and bit supplies an important line of communication between horse and rider which allows the rider to control the horse. They are usually made of leather, however synthetic bridles are becoming more popular and come in a range of different colours.
What is the bit?
There is a wide variety of bits available. Bits are divided into 5 groups by their action based on the area the pressure is applied. The 5 groups are:
- Snaffles
- Doubles
- Gag Snaffles
- Pelhams
- Bitless Bridle
Getting the right bit for your horse is important. A bit that is too weak will result in having no control over the horse, a bit that is too strong will cause the horse to fight against it.
Nosebands are available in a variety of designs and for different purposes. Some are corrective and being used to offer more control and acting in conjunction with the bit to increase the strength of the bit or to stop the horse evading it.
The simplest design available is the cavesson it is the only type of noseband to use with a double bridle and can be used with a standing martingale. If it is fitted correctly it should have no action or little on the horse's head. It should be fitted loosely with enough room to fit two fingers under the noseband.
Find out what a martingale is and what it looks like.