Understanding your horse’s facial nerves and why bridle and bit fit matters
When it comes to your horse’s comfort and way of going, correctly fitting tack isn’t just a matter of looks or discipline rules, it’s also a matter of welfare. At The Horse Bit Bank, we believe in putting the horse first, and part of that means understanding how tack interacts with the anatomy beneath it. One of the most important - and often overlooked - areas to consider is your horse’s facial nerves.
What are facial nerves and why should you care?
Just like your face, a horse’s head is home to a complex network of nerves that control everything from their lip and ear movement to sensitivity in the jaw, cheeks and muzzle. These facial nerves are essential for communication, comfort and expression, and they’re often more exposed than ours are, as a horse’s head and face is less fleshy than a humans. If they’re pinched or compressed by a tight or poorly fitting bridle or bit, the result can be anything from minor irritation to real pain and behavioural problems. We’ve grown accustomed to ensuring our saddles fit and know the problems that can occur if they don’t, but fewer people know about facial nerves and their impact on bridle fit.
In this blog we’re going to take a closer look at the key nerves involved and how to avoid putting pressure on them through your tack.
The trigeminal nerve: your horse’s main sensory nerve
The trigeminal nerve is one of the most important nerves in the horse’s head. It’s responsible for sensation across the face, in the forehead, cheeks, lips, and muzzle. It splits into three branches:
● One around the horse’s eye and its forehead
● Another that runs along the upper jaw and muzzle
● And one that serves their lower jaw and chin
Where the branches of nerves exit the horse’s skull, they’re sitting very close to the surface of the skin. That means a tight noseband or flash strap can press right on top of them, especially if the bridle isn’t positioned correctly. This pressure can lead to numbness, irritation or headshaking. You might even find your house is less willing to have the bridle fitted, maybe doing an amazing impression of a giraffe to stay out of your reach and avoid you tacking up.
The facial nerve: controls movement
Unlike the trigeminal nerve, which handles feeling, the facial nerve controls movement. That means it triggers the muscles that allow your horse to move their lips, nostrils and eyelids, all the movements that are essential for soft communication and relaxed expression.
The facial nerve runs down the side of the face, passing over the bony part just below the ear and jaw joint (the area where many headpieces sit). The facial nerve is only protected by a thin layer of skin in this area, making it vulnerable to pressure.
A headpiece that’s too narrow, not well-padded, or one that’s very bulky (there is such a thing as too padded or angled) and sits awkwardly behind the ears can press on this nerve. Over time, this can create discomfort and tension, particularly in sensitive horses.
Common pressure points and how to avoid them
Here are just some of the key areas where bridle or bit pressure can cause problems for your horse, and some tips for how to reduce the risk:
Under the cheekbone
Just below the facial crest, where many cavesson or crank nosebands sit, is a very sensitive area. If a noseband is positioned too low or pulled too tight, it can compress the nerve here. That’s why it’s important to always allow two fingers’ width below the cheekbone when adjusting your noseband.
On the chin
The lower part of the horse’s jaw, particularly the area near the front where the lips meet, houses another sensitive nerve. Flash straps, drop nosebands, or tight curb chains can cause pressure here. We recommend that you make sure chin straps are fitted so they’re secure but not tight and regularly check for rubs or tension.
Behind the ears
The facial nerve runs very close to the surface here, so if your bridle has a narrow or stiff headpiece, or sits too far back, it may cause discomfort. Look for an anatomical or cutaway headpiece that’s padded and shaped to relieve pressure in this area, but beware of big, over-padded headpieces on horses with less space behind and around the ears.
Signs your horse may be experiencing nerve pressure:
● Head tossing or shaking
● Rubbing or scratching the face
● Difficulty accepting the bit
● Unusual ear or lip movements
● Resistance when bridling
● Facial asymmetry or twitching
What about bits?
While this blog focuses mostly on the facial nerves and therefore the role of the bridle, the bit also plays a huge role. Poorly fitted bits (or the wrong choice for your horse’s mouth) can place excessive pressure on the bars, the tongue and the roof of the mouth. And of course, bits such as gags, pelhams and Weymouths also exert leverage pressure on the poll and, if a curb chain is fitted, the chin groove. That’s why it’s vital that a bit is carefully chosen to suit the horse’s mouth size and shape, their level of education and the skill of the rider. Too much pressure or an ill-fitting bit can create resistance, tension or avoidance instead of communication and harmony between horse and rider.
Comfort starts with understanding
A horse’s face is incredibly expressive and sensitive, and we owe it to them to understand what’s going on beneath the bridle. By making sure you understand where the facial nerves lie and choosing tack and a bit that fits comfortably around their anatomy, you can create the best possible conditions for comfort, communication and performance.
If you need some help to assess your horse’s current bridle and bit setup then just get in touch. Plus, we have lots of resources on our blog and website to help you out too!