How do I assess my horses mouth conformation with regards to bitting?
Answer Mouth Conformation is assessed when the horse is relaxed and with his mouth shut. Gently part the lips at the side and observe if the tongue is bulging through the teeth. If it does then this indicates that the tongue is large and can cause a lot of discomfort, as the mouth can then not accommodate a lot of mouth pieces. The outer edge of the tongue is far more sensitive than the centre and these parts of the tongue are going to experience increased pressure with certain bits, especially with single jointed bits. See if you can check the room between the tongue and the roof of the mouth. This should be done initially without the bit, then with the bit. With the bit in look at the mouth at rest, then take up a contact with your reins at the same angle as if you were riding. See how it shifts position and what pressure points it is using. You should also check if your horse has small or large bars. Check if there are any teeth that could interfere with the bit. e.g. wolf teeth. So
