How to clean and check your horse’s bit
Spring is in the air - well, the clocks have changed and it’s technically spring, even if we’re still waiting for the first warm sunny days to arrive. Spring is traditionally the season when we all start decluttering and cleaning our homes, and some of our more organised and tidy followers and customers do the same in their yards too! But for this blog we’re looking at why it’s important to keep your bit a clean and check it for wear and tear, both in springtime and all the year round. Let’s take a closer look at why…
Rinsing every time you finish riding
Cleaning your horse's bit isn’t just about making sure you’re well turned out, there are excellent practical reasons too. Rinsing the bit each time you finish riding will help prevent dried saliva and food from building up on the bit which can start to irritate the horse’s tongue, bars and lips. Just make sure you don’t get the bottom of the cheek pieces, or the reins soaked every time - or make sure you dry them off if they get splashed when you’re rinsing your bit.
How to give your bit a deeper clean
We recommend you give your bit (or bits if you’re riding lots of horses every day) a more thorough clean around once a week, or whenever you give your tack a proper clean rather than just wiping off sweat. Remove it from the bridle first and then soak and scrub to your heart’s content. That might mean using warm soapy water or a gentle acid like lemon juice, vinegar or Coca Cola to dissolve dirt, just make sure you rinse them well in hot water before using it again. We also recommend using a toothbrush to get into any joints and other hard to reach areas to ensure they’re free from trapped food and grass. Some people even sneak their bits into the dishwasher if they can get away with it! We think that depends on how tolerant your other half is…
Not only will giving your bit, however you do it, a deeper clean ensure your bits are sparkling and smooth when you next ride, it’s also a good opportunity to check them over for wear and tear. Let’s take a closer look at what that involves.
How to check your bit for wear and tear
When you’re cleaning your bit, cast your eye over every surface to see if there are any signs of rust, check the edges to see if it’s developing sharp points and make sure the moving parts all work as they should and don’t get stuck. Check nonmetal or alloy bits for their integrity, especially if your horse loves to play with and chew their bit.
You should also look out for any thinning in the material, especially around the joints, or changes in the shape of the bit. If you own a bit that has a join between two metal pieces – for example a Weymouth – make sure there aren't any gaps where the two metals meet as that could pinch your horse’s tongue. It’s important to note that due to the nature of some bit materials, small marks or indentations in the mouthpiece are normal - especially with happy mouth, Nathe, leather and other soft mouthpiece materials. And finally, if you use a curb chain then this is a good time to check that it’s not rusted and the links all still sit flat when it’s done up.
If you’re not sure if your bit is still OK to use or you would like to ask us questions about caring for the different brands we stock, just get in touch. All the contact details are on our website which you can visit using this link.