Baby, its all about your smile! Bitting the short lipped horse.

This blog is likely to be a bit of a pot stirrer - Im debunking my pet hate - the bit fitting wrinkle rule!

The Short-Smile Secret: Why the 'Two Wrinkle' Bit Rule is Outdated

You’ve probably heard it a million times: “Tighten the bridle until you see two wrinkles at the corners of the mouth.” It’s practically a rite of passage for anyone who’s ever tacked up a horse. But what if I told you that this so-called golden rule doesn’t actually work for all horses?

Let’s talk about horses with a short smile and why that classic “two-wrinkle” guideline might be doing more harm than good.

What’s a ‘Short Smile’?

No, it’s not about your horse’s sense of humor (though let’s be honest, some of them are total comedians). A horse with a short smile has a shorter-than-average distance between the corner of their lips and the top of their nostrils. This means that the standard bit-fitting advice doesn’t always apply.

For these horses, cranking the bit up to achieve those textbook wrinkles can actually cause:
Pinching & Discomfort – The lips get pulled too tight over the bit.

Restricted Movement – The bit sits unnaturally high, limiting how the horse can comfortably carry it.

Increased Tension – Instead of soft acceptance, you get chompers and head tossing!

If your horse has a short smile, following the two-wrinkle rule might be like forcing someone to wear jeans two sizes too small—ouch!

So, How Should You Fit a Bit?

Forget wrinkles—let’s focus on function! Here’s a better approach:
✅ Look for light contact at the corners of the mouth – The bit should sit snugly without gaping or sagging.
✅ Check for movement – Your horse should be able to pick up and hold the bit without resistance.
✅ Watch for comfort signals – A happy, relaxed mouth and chewing (not excessive gaping or fussing) is a good sign.
✅ Test rein pressure – When you take up light contact, the bit should engage smoothly without a sudden “jolt” in the mouth.

What About Bit Height and Different Mouth Types?

Horses, like people, come in all shapes and sizes, and their mouths are no exception! Some have deep palates, some have thicker lips, and others have low bars. All of these factors impact where a bit should sit.

If your horse has:
A short smile – Keep the bit just high enough to rest at the corners without tension.
A long smile – A slight wrinkle might be natural, but forcing two wrinkles could be overkill.
A fleshy mouth – Avoid bits that cause unnecessary bulk or pressure.
A sensitive mouth – Softer materials (like leather or rubber-covered bits) might be a game-changer.

The Bottom Line? Your Horse’s Comfort Comes First!

The “two wrinkle” rule is one of those outdated traditions that stuck around longer than it should have. Instead of relying on wrinkles, take the time to observe how your horse responds to the bit. Are they relaxed? Willing? Accepting of contact? That’s your real guide to proper fit.

So, the next time someone tells you to crank that bit up until you see wrinkles, give them a smile (short or long!) and say, “Actually, let’s talk about functional fit!”

Because at the end of the day, a comfortable horse is a happy horse—and that’s always the goal.