Bridle Fitting

We all understand the importance of having a saddle that fits properly; it's the main point of contact between the rider's seat and the horse's back. A poorly fitting saddle can unbalance the rider and lead to significant musculoskeletal trauma to the horse's body, impacting their overall equine health. 

Similarly, the bridle and bit serve as the primary connection between the rider's hands and the horse. If this communication channel is too tight, too loose, or applies pressure on the sensitive nerve endings, the horse may respond negatively. 

Have you ever worn a hat or a pair of sunglasses that were too small? It’s quite uncomfortable, isn’t it? A poorly fitting bridle can cause similar discomfort for the horse, potentially contributing to issues like TMJ in horses.

The TMJ in horses is the joint that articulates the jaw. This joint capsule connects the mandible (jaw) to the cranium via the temporal bone. Its movement pattern not only opens and closes the mouth but also facilitates the side-to-side movement that is essential for equine health, allowing the horse to chew effectively.

The TMJ in horses is linked to the vestibular system via the ear canal, which is also located in the temporal bone. The vestibular system plays a crucial role in maintaining equine health by managing balance mechanisms within the body. Pain and irritation to the temporal bone from issues such as inflammation, trauma, or arthritis can adversely affect the function of the vestibular system. Consequently, this may result in poor balance. If a horse cannot balance itself properly, it won't perform optimally. Poor balance is a precursor to injury and trauma.

The TMJ in horses has several attachments for lines of fascia that connect groups of muscles together. These myofascial lines literally link muscles starting from the very bottom of the hind leg to the TMJ via the temporalis and masseter muscles, with additional connections to the hyoid apparatus under the tongue. These myofascial lines include the ventral line (think lifting of the core/abdominals and thoracic sling), dorsal line (or "top" line), lateral line, and spiral line.

If there is pain in the TMJ, this will inevitably impact the way the horse uses the muscles attached there. Therefore, a tight bridle can create a pressure point that leads to pain and inflammation, affecting muscle use and consequently influencing the overall performance and equine health of the horse.

Headshaking: The trigeminal nerve can be irritated by a tight-fitting bridle, impacting equine health. Nerve irritation symptoms include pins and needles, sharp/shooting pain, numbness, or tingling. To relieve this pressure, the horse will often shake its head. 

Head tilting: A bridle that exerts more pressure on one side of the face will cause the horse to tilt its head away from the source of pain, further affecting its overall equine health. 

Snatching/leaning: This behavior is again about trying to relieve pressure. 

Rushing away: Pressure on the TMJ in horses can affect the use of the dorsal and ventral muscle groups, which in turn impacts the biomechanics of the entire horse. This can predispose the horse to injury, highlighting the importance of proper equine health management.

At ESP Equine, we currently offer a selection of bridles from Evo Equine to help you create your bespoke bridle. They also provide a wide range of individual pieces that can be interchangeable with your own bridle if you prefer. Either way, we will dedicate time to ensure that every individual component of the bridle fits the horse correctly, promoting equine health.

We start with the headpiece to ensure it sits correctly over the pole, allowing plenty of room for the ears and providing pressure relief over the delicate muscles in that area. The headpiece straps must also lie in the correct position and allow for the attachment of the cheek pieces to be clear of the TMJ in horses.

Next, we find the correct brow band. This can be shaped or straight, but it is essential that it secures the headpiece firmly in place and remains clear of the TMJ.

Then it’s on to the nose band, influenced by the horse's work and any performance concerns the rider may have. There are several foramen or