How to Fit a Western Bridle

Fitting the bridle correctly to the horse's head is absolutely necessary if you want to be able to control the horse using the bit and reins. A bridle that is not properly adjusted can prevent a horse from responding to commands; it can also cause innapropriate habits in response to rein contact. A bridle that is too tight will cause a horse pain. A bridle that is too loose does not provide accurate means of communication between the rider and the horse; it may also put the bit in the wrong location within the mouth.

Things You'll Need

  • Western bridle
  • Leather care products
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the bridle thoroughly with leather cleaner and a leather conditioning product. New bridles often arrive with a protectant coating. Cleaning the bridle will remove this coating as well as protect the leather during use.

    • 2

      Attach the bit and reins to the bridle. Most Western bridles have either screws or snaps on the cheekpieces and reins that can be unfastened and then reattached once the bit is in place.

    • 3

      Loosen the cheekpieces of the bridle so that they are fastened on the last hole. It is easier to put a bridle that is too big on a horse's head and then bring it back in than it is to put a bridle that is too small on and try to adjust it back out, as most horses will fight against a bridle that is too tight.

    • 4

      Place the headstall in the correct position over the horse's ears. Notice where the bit is hanging in the horse's mouth. Adjust the cheekpieces so that the bit is in contact with the corners of the mouth and creates two wrinkles in each side of the skin beside the horse's mouth. Open the horse's mouth and look to make certain the bit is not coming in contact with any teeth.

    • 5

      Adjust the throat latch, if the bridle has one. The throat latch should buckle so that it is snug but not tight underneath the horse's throat. The noseband should be fastened the same way. You should be able to insert a couple of fingers between either band and the horse's skin. If you have a curb strap on the bit, it should lie flat in light contact with the horse's chin.