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Does the Baucher bit fit my horse?

Assessing the fit of the Baucher bits can be a little tricky when using this bit shape for the first time - especially when it comes to a Ported Baucher Bit . That's why I keep getting questions on this topic, which I would like to address in this article.

Is the Ported Baucher Bit too small?

In most cases, my customers have the impression that the Baucher Bit is too small. In some cases, this is actually true because they have previously used a bit from a manufacturer who is very generous with the ratio of the size to the real size and the run-out area of the bit was not measured at the edge. As a result, the bits is larger in real size. With López, the size specification corresponds very precisely to the real size. Size 135, for example, is then about 135 to max. 137 mm long in reality. Another reason may be that the horse has very fleshy and pronounced lips. In this case, too, it may be advisable to choose a size larger.

And then there is the second case: the bit looks too small, but it isn't 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 all cases. I have also chosen size 135 for the Baucher bits that we use every day.This is becauseit is essential for the ported mouthpiece to fit properly in order to enable precise action. bit sits close to the corners of the mouth, as can be seen on the left-hand side of the series of pictures. If tension is applied to the reins on one side, the side piece on the opposite side pushes the webbing at the corners of the mouth slightly together and the Baucher Bit can "unfold" its lateral effect.


In the series of pictures on the right, my horse is wearing a size 145 mm. When standing, this looks quite comfortable at the corners of the mouth. The initial impression is 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 traction on one side, the soft tissue at the corners of the mouth pushes together (as usual) on the opposite side. And on the side "with traction", the bit slips out of the mouth by about one centimeter. As a result, the ported mouthpiece hangs "in the air" to a certain extent and can develop a life of its own, which is unpleasant for the horse. There is also a greater risk of canting. Despite the good first impression, this size is unsuitable and too big for my horse.

Do I have to choose a different size if I want to use rubberbit guards ?

The bits from López are still genuine craftsmanship. This also includes the angular shape of the side pieces. I therefore recommend the use of rubberbit guards for horses with very sensitive mouth angles, as is common practice with Iberian curbs. The easiest way to attach the rubberbit guards is to first pull it over the upper bit and then over the lower ring. The photos clearly show that the use of bit guards does not necessarily affect the size selection of the bit . Although the bit guards are usually 5 mm thick, they fit snugly between the corner of the mouth and side piece even without choosing a larger bit . Accordingly, I would prefer size 135 for this horse, even with rubberbit guards .


That wasn't clear enough for you? Here's the video on the topic:

Does the Baucher bit fit my horse?

Fanni Kovács
Fanni Kovács

I am Fanni, the founder and owner of Picadera. For me, the right, functional equipment is part of my identity as a rider. It is not only important to me to find the riding equipment that suits my horse and me, but also the process - from the decision for a product to the moment I hold it in my hands. Driven by this, I started thinking about how to improve the situation for riders in Germany and Austria who are interested in Iberian and Baroque riding, as well as Working Equitation, at the beginning of 2017. The result is Picadera. If you have any feedback, questions or comments, please send me a message.

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