Does the Baucher bit fit my horse?
The fit of the Baucher bits can be a bit tricky when using this type of bit for the first time - especially when it comes to a Baucher bar. I therefore keep getting questions about this topic, which I would like to address in this article.
Is the belly bar too small?
Most of the time, my customers have the impression that the Baucher bit on their horse is too small. In some cases, this is actually true, because they have previously used a bit from a manufacturer that is very generous with the ratio of the specified size to the actual size and the run-out area of the bit at the edge was not measured. Accordingly, the bits are larger in actual size. With López, the size specification corresponds very closely to the actual size. Size 135, for example, is actually about 135 to max. 137 mm long. Another reason may be that the horse has very fleshy and pronounced lips. In this case, too, choosing a size larger may be advisable.
And then there is the second case: the bit looks too small, but it is not necessarily. To demonstrate this case, I tested two different bit sizes on my own horse.
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The practical test on the horse
My horse wears size 135 in 99.9% of cases. For the Baucher bitsthat we use in everyday life, I also chose size 135. BecauseTo enable precise influence with the bar, it is essential that it fits properly. As can be seen on the left side of the series of images, the bit sits close to the corners of the mouth. If the reins are pulled on one side, the side part of the opposite side pushes the tissue at the corners of the mouth together slightly and the Baucher bit can "unfold" its lateral influence.
In the right-hand row of pictures, my horse is wearing size 145 mm. When standing, this looks quite comfortable at the corners of the mouth. At first, it seems that this is even more comfortable for the horse, as there is more space at the edge for the lips. However, as soon as there is a little more tension on one side, the soft tissue at the corners of the mouth on the opposite side pushes together (as usual). And on the side "with tension", the bit slips about one centimeter out of the mouth. As a result, the bar hangs "in the air" and can develop a life of its own, which is unpleasant for the horse. There is also a greater risk of it jamming. Despite the good first impression, this size is unsuitable for my horse and is too big.
Do I have to choose a different size if I want to use rubber bite guards?
López's bits are still real craftsmanship. This includes the angular shape of the sides. For this reason, I recommend using rubber bit discs for horses with very sensitive corners of the mouth, as is common practice with Iberian curbs. The easiest way to attach the rubber bit discs is to first pull them over the upper bar and then over the lower ring. The photos clearly show that the use of bit discs does not necessarily affect the size of the bit. Although the bit discs are usually 5 mm thick, they fit well between the corner of the mouth and the side part even without choosing a larger bit. Accordingly, I would prefer size 135 for this horse, even with rubber bit discs.
That wasn't clear enough for you? Here is the video on the topic:
