You can also set it in boiling-hot water for about 10 minutes to help soften it up. Some people even microwave it for 1-2 minutes.
The bit guards attach to the bit to help keep it from pinching the side of your horse’s mouth.
Use a piece that’s at least 6 feet (1. 8 m) long.
The loop should be big enough for your foot to go through. You’ll need to step in it in a minute.
Use a piece that’s about 6 feet (1. 8 m) long. You don’t need to make a foot loop on this side.
Unless your twine is very long, you probably won’t be able to pull it all the way to the ground, so be careful to keep your balance.
When the bit guard is on the bit, untie or cut the twine and pull it out of the guard. Do the same thing for the other bit guard, sliding it on to either side. Reattach the bit to the headstall when you’re done. To put the bit on the horse, slide the guards to the ends so that there will be one on each side of the horse’s mouth.
Alternatively, put the bit guard in boiling-hot water for 5-10 minutes to warm it up. Some people also microwave the guard for 30 seconds or so.
At this point, you should have 2 leg straps threaded through the middle of the bit guard. They should be across from each and each one should be doubled over itself. You should be able to pull on each side to stretch out the bit guard.
Be careful not to lose your balance! Hold on to a railing or doorknob if you need to.
If you want, you can hold on to one end while someone else holds on to the other instead of trying to step on it.
Once it’s on the bit, slip the leg straps out of it. Repeat the process for the other guard. It doesn’t matter which side you slip the guard over, as you’ll just move it over in a minute. Before putting on the bit, slide the guards to either side of the bit so that they’re up against the rings on either side.
