How to Make Your Own Horse Bit Warmer

A metal bit can become ice cold in an unheated tack room in winter. The coldness of the bit can be very uncomfortable for the horse, and even make her refuse a bit in the future. Many horse owners warm the bit next to their bodies or in a pocket prior to use. However, this can be uncomfortable for the horse owner. A solution is to create a bit warmer that you can warm in the microwave and wrap around the bit. You can sew a homemade bit warmer yourself to keep your horse happy.

Things You'll Need

  • Natural fiber fabric
  • Scissors
  • Hook-and-loop fastener tape
  • Sewing machine
  • Rice
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two rectangles of natural-fiber fabric to 6 by 9 inches. Use heavy cotton or light canvas. Because you will be heating the bit warmer in the microwave, avoid synthetic fibers, as they can melt.

    • 2

      Cut a 2-inch length of hook-and-loop tape. Separate the hook side from the loop side. Center the hook side of the tape parallel to, and ½ inch from, one of the shorter sides of one piece of fabric on the right side. Stitch the tape near the edge all the way around and make a stitched X through the middle from all four corners.

    • 3

      Place the other piece of fabric right side down on the table. Fold the lower third up toward the middle. Center the loop side of the hook-and-loop tape near the folded lower edge of the fabric. Pin it parallel to and ¼ inch from the fold. Unfold the fabric and stitch the tape near the edges to the fabric. Stitch an X through the middle.

    • 4

      Stack the rectangles with right sides together. The hook-and-loop tape pieces should be on opposite ends of the fabric from each other. Sew a ¼-inch seam around three edges. Leave the short edge near the hook side of the tape open. This will be the top of the bit warmer. Turn the fabric right side out. Now when you fold the rectangle in thirds, the hook and loop tape pieces should line up.

    • 5

      Mark the fold lines with tailor's chalk. Unfold the bag and pour in ¼ cup of dry rice. Spread it evenly in the bottom of the bag. Pin a row of pins to keep the rice at the end of the bag. There should be at least ½ inch between the row of pins and the chalk line. Remove some rice if you need more room. Stitch the chalk line to seal the rice in the bottom of the bag. Remove the pins.

    • 6

      Pour in another ¼ cup of rice and repeat the pinning and stitching procedure to make a second rice chamber in the bag.

    • 7

      Turn in the edges of the top of the bag and topstitch to close that side.