08/18/2024
Very informative and important info on bridle fit.
ππ³πͺπ΅π΅π¦π― π£πΊ ππ’π³π°ππͺπ―π¦ ππ’π³π³π°πΆπͺππ©, ππ³π°πΆπ₯ππ°π³π΄π¦ ππ°π―π―π¦π€π΅πͺπ°π―π΄
Checking a horse's bridle fit is as important as checking his or her bit fit and saddle and girth fit. It is something diligent riders and especially horse pros should be quite fanatical about as it acutely affects a horse's health.
It is important to do your due diligence and check and adjust nosebands, flashes and browbands carefully, making sure that no strap is uncomfortably tight, buckles do not push into joints (TMJ) or nerves - or are too close to the eyes - and that the poll strap does not push against the horse's ears (and of course check bit fit).
Bridle leather should be cleaned, conditioned ans checked for cracks or unraveled stitching that can irritate the skin, routinely.
No tack should be adjusted so tightly that it prevents the horse from moving its jaw and tongue comfortably, presses on its gullet or the base of his/her ears. Some horses require custom sized bridles or browbands and nosebands.
Regarding nosebands, you must be able to slide two stacked fingers between the leather and the nasal bone easily. The ISES recommends a gap of 1.5 to 2cm and you can purchase a "noseband taper gauge" online to help you if need be. Do not go by tools alone however, do what is comfortable for your individual horse based on conformation, history, preferences.
A quick look at what cranial nerves control reveals how important their health is and why properly fitted tack is paramount.
There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves. They have a role in:
βΆοΈ Balance
βΆοΈ Sensory and motor control of viscera including heart, lungs, and bowel
βΆοΈ Heart rate
βΆοΈ Gastro-Intestinal peristalsis
βΆοΈ Hearing
βΆοΈ Smell
βΆοΈ Vision
βΆοΈ Eye movement
βΆοΈ Neck muscles that move the head
βΆοΈ Sensation from the face
βΆοΈ Motor to the muscles for biting, chewing
βΆοΈ Facial expression
βΆοΈ Taste from the anterior 2/3rds of the tonque
βΆοΈ Taste from the posterior 1/3rd of the tonque
βΆοΈ Tearing (lacrimal gland)
βΆοΈ Salivation from the parotid gland as well as not from the parotid gland (different nerves)
βΆοΈ Sensation and some motor to the pharynx
βΆοΈ Swallowing (motor to the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx)
βΆοΈ Vocalization (motor to the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx)
βΆοΈ Tongue movement
