Polocrosse Bits Catalogue 2012
Fitting The Correct Bit If you are having problems with finding a bit that is suitable for your horse there are a few steps that you need follow to get the right bit in its mouth. First you need to make sure that it doesn’t have any mouth, back or neck problems. No bit will help if the pain or discomfort lies in the mouth, back or neck. The most important part of fitting the correct bit is finding the right mouth piece for a particular horse. Here it is what the horse is doing with its head that tells you what bit is needed.
• The horse sticks his nose up in the air the moment the reins are taken up. This is the horse telling you that it is experiencing pain in its mouth. If using a Snaffle, you need to change to a threepiece bit such as a Control Plate. • The horse shakes its head, which means that he does not want tongue pressure. From the Snaffle or Control Plate, you would go softer to the Happy Tongue, designed specifically to take pressure off the tongue. • The horse bringing its chin up to its chest in an effort to evade the bit is a sure sign of too much bit for the horse and it trying to relieve the pressure. The solution is to either ride on a looser rein, or use a softer bit. From the Snaffle one could use the Lock Up. • The horse that pokes his nose forward, trying to pull the reins out of the rider's hands in an effort to relieve the pressure of the bit. Once again the solution being to use a softer bit. We have also introduced colour coding of our bits to make this process easier.
The next step is to measure the horse's mouth. This is a crucial aspect of fitting the correct bit. Using a bit measure or straight rod, put it in the horse's mouth and lift it to the correct place in the mouth, and mark the bar on both sides just outside the lip crease.
This measurement can then be used to determine the size of the bit required. The bit size will differ depending on the type of mouth piece required. Most horses are fitted with bits that are too tight and this just adds more pressure points. With a fixed mouth piece bit the size required is the measured size, and with the single and double break bits this should be the measured size plus 10 mm to take into account the set. In addition to this add 5mm if the bit has a loose ring cheek piece. Nothing additional needs to be added for fixed cheek pieces. Once you have established the mouthpiece and the width, then you have to establish which cheek piece would be suitable. This is dictated to by various things including the discipline the rider is participating in and the skill level of the rider.
Bit Measure
Increasing Pressure
Colour Coding Sensitive Tongue & Head Shakers
Bomber Blue Happy Tongue McHardy Lock Up Waterford
Neutral
Snaffle
To Drop Head Down
Control Plate Elliptical Colin Miles
To Lift Head Up
Sara Grills Buster Roller Barrie Smooth Barrie Reversible
Specialised
Mullen Johan du Plooy Spinner Petros Control Plate Petros Elliptical Petros Colin Miles Petros Buster Roller
Bit Sizes Bomber’s Bits are available in a variety of standard mouth piece sizes: Sizes range from 125 mm to 140 mm in 5 mm increments for single and double break bits. For solid bits the range is from 120 mm to 130 mm in 5 mm increments.
Pony bits are available in a selection of cheek pieces. Cheek pieces are ž size and sizes range from 95 mm to 120 mm.
All bits can also be custom made in 5mm increments in whatever size required (up to 180 mm so far)
Comparison between 95mm Pony Loose Ring Control Plate and 135 mm Loose Ring Control Plate
Eggbutt Loose Ring The Eggbutt Loose Ring prevents pinching of the lips and gives a more solid feel against the side of the face. It prevents the bit being pulled through the mouth. The Eggbutt Loose Ring allows quick release.
Happy Tongue A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the Happy Tongue was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure, allowing the horse to relax.
Lock Up The Lock Up snaffle removes the nut cracker action of the conventional snaffle, meaning it will bear less pressure on each side of the horses jaw called the bars.
McHardy A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the McHardy was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure. The link in the middle is to increase bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional Happy Tongue. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit.
Snaffle Our Snaffle mouthpiece is popular due to the curved mouthpiece which distributes pressure more evenly over tongue and bars. With the offset centre link it will reduce nutcraker action and pressure points on the tongue.
Gavin Cocker Snaffle Very similar to our Snaffle the Gavin Cocker is made using a hinge joint in the middle rather than a ring joint.
Control Plate 45 The Bombers Control Plate is set at 45째 to follow the contour of the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse who uses his tongue as a means of pushing against the bit and therefore taking control, will draw back and tuck his chin in, coming back to a better point of control. This differs from a Dr Bristol which sits horizontlaly with the edge of the plate on the tongue.
Colin Miles The Colin Miles is a great schooling bit with a 55mm centre piece creating greater tongue pressure. The rings give the horse something to play with and help keep the horses attention on the bit. This particular joint exerts more pressure than the Control Plate or Elliptical.
Buster Roller The Buster Roller is a great bit for schooling, the link in the middle is shortened to 40mm increasing bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional link bits. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit. The increased pressure on the bar will lift the head and the roller will increase pressure on the tongue bringing the chin in.
Sara Grills The Sara Grills link is set vertical and is designed to press against the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse that uses its tongue as a means of pushing against the bit to take control, will draw it back and tuck the chin in, coming back to a better point of control.
Although similar to the Control Plate, this joint provides less surface area to disperse pressure making it a more severe bit.
Petros Control Plate The Petros mouthpieces rotate preventing the horse taking hold of the bit. Often good for a horse that leans or tries to take hold of the bit. The Control Plate is set at 45째 to follow the contour of the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse who uses his tongue as a means of pushing against the bit and therefore taking control, will draw back and tuck his chin in, coming back to a better point of control. This differs from a Dr Bristol which sits horizontlaly with the edge of the plate on the tongue.
Kimberley Dee The Kimberley Dee cheekpiece prevents pinching of the lips and give a slightly more solid feel against the side of the face. It also prevents the bit being pulled through the mouth. The release is slower than a Loose Ring and also introduces some poll pressure.
Happy Tongue A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the Happy Tongue was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure, allowing the horse to relax.
Bomber Blue A unique bit which produces amazing results for the majority of horses.
Ported for tongue relief and very light, it is available in a variety of cheek pieces.
Lock Up The Lock Up snaffle removes the nut cracker action of the conventional snaffle, meaning it will bear less pressure on each side of the horses jaw called the bars.
McHardy A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the McHardy was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure. The link in the middle is to increase bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional Happy Tongue. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit.
Snaffle Our Snaffle mouthpiece is popular due to the curved mouthpiece which distributes pressure more evenly over tongue and bars. With the offset centre link it will reduce nutcraker action and pressure points on the tongue.
Control Plate 45 The Bombers Control Plate is set at 45째 to follow the contour of the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse who uses his tongue as a means of pushing against the bit and therefore taking control, will draw back and tuck his chin in, coming back to a better point of control. This differs from a Dr Bristol which sits horizontally with the edge of the plate on the tongue.
Colin Miles The Colin Miles is a great schooling bit with a 55mm centre piece creating greater tongue pressure. The rings give the horse something to play with and help keep the horses attention on the bit. This particular joint exerts more pressure than the Control Plate or Elliptical.
Buster Roller The Buster Roller is a great bit for schooling, the link in the middle is shortened to 40mm increasing bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional link bits. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit. The increased pressure on the bar will lift the head and the roller will increase pressure on the tongue bringing the chin in.
Loose Ring The Loose Ring allows for immediate release and relief from tongue and bar pressure which will reset the bit in the horses mouth.
Happy Tongue A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the Happy Tongue was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure, allowing the horse to relax.
Bomber Blue The Bomber Blue is a unique bit which produces amazing results for the majority of horses.
It is ported for tongue relief and very light.
Lock Up The Lock Up snaffle removes the nut cracker action of the conventional snaffle, meaning it will bear less pressure on each side of the horses jaw called the bars.
McHardy A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the McHardy was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure. The link in the middle is to increase bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional Happy Tongue. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit.
Snaffle Our Snaffle mouthpiece is popular due to the curved mouthpiece which distributes pressure more evenly over tongue and bars. With the offset centre link it will reduce nutcraker action and pressure points on the tongue.
Gavin Cocker Snaffle Very similar to our Snaffle the Gavin Cocker is made using a hinge joint in the middle rather than a ring joint.
Control Plate 45 The Bombers Control Plate is set at 45째 to follow the contour of the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse who uses his tongue as a means of pushing against the bit and therefore taking control, will draw back and tuck his chin in, coming back to a better point of control. This differs from a Dr Bristol which sits horizontlaly with the edge of the plate on the tongue.
Colin Miles The Colin Miles is a great schooling bit with a 55mm centre piece creating greater tongue pressure. The rings give the horse something to play with and help keep the horses attention on the bit. This particular joint exerts more pressure than the Control Plate or Elliptical.
Buster Roller The Buster Roller is a great bit for schooling, the link in the middle is shortened to 40mm increasing bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional link bits. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit. The increased pressure on the bar will lift the head and the roller will increase pressure on the tongue bringing the chin in.
Sara Grills The Sara Grills link is set vertical and is designed to press against the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse that uses its tongue as a means of pushing against the bit to take control, will draw it back and tuck the chin in, coming back to a better point of control.
Although similar to the Control Plate, this joint provides less surface area to disperse pressure making it a more severe bit.
Petros Control Plate The Petros mouthpieces rotate preventing the horse taking hold of the bit. Often good for a horse that leans or tries to take hold of the bit. The Control Plate is set at 45째 to follow the contour of the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse who uses his tongue as a means of pushing against the bit and therefore taking control, will draw back and tuck his chin in, coming back to a better point of control. This differs from a Dr Bristol which sits horizontlaly with the edge of the plate on the tongue.
Petros Buster Roller The Petros mouthpieces rotate preventing the horse taking hold of the bit. Often good for a horse that leans or tries to take hold of the bit. The Buster Roller is a great bit for schooling, the link in the middle is shortened to 40mm increasing bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional link bits. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit. The increased pressure on the bar will lift the head and the roller will increase pressure on the tongue tucking the chin in.
Williams The Williams cheekpiece assists with the flexing of the head while the center bar creates more positive poll pressure.
Happy Tongue A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the Happy Tongue was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure, allowing the horse to relax.
Bomber Blue The Bomber Blue is a unique bit which produces amazing results for the majority of horses.
It is ported for tongue relief and very light.
Lock Up The Lock Up snaffle removes the nut cracker action of the conventional snaffle, meaning it will bear less pressure on each side of the horses jaw called the bars.
McHardy A horse shaking its head when bit pressure is applied or its tongue trying to escape the bit are classic signs the horse has a sensitive tongue. With this in mind the McHardy was created, it has a medium port creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure. The link in the middle is to increase bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional Happy Tongue. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit.
Snaffle Our Snaffle mouthpiece is popular due to the curved mouthpiece which distributes pressure more evenly over tongue and bars. With the offset centre link it will reduce nutcraker action and pressure points on the tongue.
Control Plate 45 The Bombers Control Plate is set at 45째 to follow the contour of the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse who uses his tongue as a means of pushing against the bit and therefore taking control, will draw back and tuck his chin in, coming back to a better point of control. This differs from a Dr Bristol which sits horizontlaly with the edge of the plate on the tongue.
Colin Miles The Colin Miles is a great schooling bit with a 55mm centre piece creating greater tongue pressure. The rings give the horse something to play with and help keep the horses attention on the bit. This particular joint exerts more pressure than the Control Plate or Elliptical.
Buster Roller The Buster Roller is a great bit for schooling, the link in the middle is shortened to 40mm increasing bar and tongue pressure making the bit sharper than conventional link bits. Best suited for a horse with a low head carriage and which leans on the bit. The increased pressure on the bar will lift the head and the roller will increase pressure on the tongue bringing the chin in.
Sara Grills The Sara Grills link is set vertical and is designed to press against the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse that uses its tongue as a means of pushing against the bit to take control, will draw it back and tuck the chin in, coming back to a better point of control.
Although similar to the Control Plate, this joint provides less surface area to disperse pressure making it a more severe bit.
Petros Control Plate The Petros mouthpieces rotate preventing the horse taking hold of the bit. Often good for a horse that leans or tries to take hold of the bit. The Control Plate is set at 45째 to follow the contour of the horses tongue. Consequently, a horse who uses his tongue as a means of pushing against the bit and therefore taking control, will draw back and tuck his chin in, coming back to a better point of control. This differs from a Dr Bristol which sits horizontlaly with the edge of the plate on the tongue.
Bit Rubbers All of our bits can be fitted with bit rubbers which we supply in a variety of colours.
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