Horsemanship Saddlery UK Ltd.

❓QUIZ TIME : How well do you know your equine facial anatomy? I've marked three important area on the horse's skull key in noseband fit.

A=?
B=?
C=?

When you add your answers start with "My answer is..." and then a new line because that won't spoil it for everyone else.

Don't look before you post!

P.s there are more landmarks than these to noseband fit.

So true. The headpiece shape is vital. If it is wrong for that horse, the rest of the bridle cannot be right.
That is why we make 9 different headpiece shapes.

IS THERE ANY SUCH THING AS AN ANATOMICAL BRIDLE? 🐎

“Anatomical” has become one of the most frequently used terms in contemporary bridle desig, but does it really mean anything? Anatomical means relating to anatomy, the physical structure, and body parts of living things. So in a sense all tack is anatomical, but that doesn't mean it's ergonomic.Ergonomic meaning to comfortably fit the anatomy of a human. Equine ergonomics are specifically about fitying the anatomy of the horse COMFORTABLY.

Manufacturers often claim, in tack shops and on social media, that their bridles avoid facial nerves, relieve poll pressure, and fit around the face. However, these marketing messages often ignore a key fact: true ergonomic accuracy is impossible if the bridle design relies on a standardised shape, given the substantial anatomical diversity within the species.

The only way to offer ergonomic fit for a horse who does not meet the mould (which is most in my experience) is through a custom bridle built around that horse or in some cases a completely custom made bridle.

The danger I see is that well meaning horse owners buy a bridle believing they are choosing a more comfortable fit for their horse, but the reality of the horse's experience does not match the expectation of the purchase. The owner may dismiss the behavioirs caused by poor bridle fit ruling out the bridle as an issue due to believing the marketing of their purchase.The horse is then labelled naughty and their communication ignored.

Bridle brands have a responsibility once they know better they should do better and take back their claims or at the very least be clear about the expectations. I'm not deliberately naming brands, we know who they are from their marketing (image is just one example of many!). So the next time you see a bridle marked as anatomical, please know that it was probably anatomical for the horses they tested it on of built it around, but that does not mean it is anatomical for your horse

To spare you and your horse the unknown stress and possible waste of €100's invest in a bit and bridle fitting and find the correct solution that fits your horses anatomy. Most bridle fitters like myself carry both off the peg solutions as well as custom builds to try and suit all budgets.

Find a bridle fitter in your area through the Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters

I had a wonderful evening with Phillippa Christie of https://www.facebook.com/equinepartnershipofficial

Very knowledgeable and as passionate as me about correctly fitting equine equipment.

I think some very exciting developments are afoot!

Equine Partnership Bitless bridle specialist, passionate about delivering quality education and advice to equestrians.

The effect of the wrong bit on hindlimb performance.

"BRIDLE LAMENESS", MUSCLE TIGHTNESS & MISTAKEN COLLECTION 🐎

I recently had a fascinating bit & bridle fitting session with a client's horse that perfectly illustrates how the entire equine body is connected.

As part of my full body assessment I noted a musculature imbalance: of a tight, overdeveloped Semitendinosus (back of the thigh) and a flat, underdeveloped TFL (front of the hip). The horse was short-striding behind, struggling to lift its hind leg underneath itself. It’s a restricted movement that people in the competition world all too often mistake for "collection" or being compact from the feel of the movement and indeed some coaches may even miss this too!

But it got really interesting when we started looking at the contact.

The horse was originally in a double-jointed lozenge bit that concentrates pressure on the centre of the tongue and while in 'theory' it suited the horses mouth anatomy it wasn't working for the body. To escape the pressure of the mouthpiece the horse was backing off, hollowing, and throwing its balance onto its hind end. But because its hind end was already tight and somewhat compromised from an past injury, the horse couldn't handle that load. To me the horse looked lame.

We switched to a curved barrel bit, and instantly, everything changed.

The horse felt comfortable enough to shift their weight slightly forward into a functional balance, seeking the contact rather than hiding from it. The moment the horse accepted the bit, the pressure eased off the hind end a little, the back legs moved more freely, and the rider felt an immediate difference in propulsion.

The rider looked at me and said, "Wow, so THAT is what people mean by bridle lameness."

This session offered a beautiful reminder to listen to the horse. Whether you ride bitted or bitless, if the horse is pulling away from the pressure, you will get a negative, rigid result. True rein contact means the horse is actively seeking the connection because it feels safe and comfortable to do so (this should not be confused with leaning on the bit!).

A frame can never force true collection. It starts with comfort, grows through trust in the contact, and shows up as freedom in the body.

Have you ever changed a piece of tack or a bit and felt a sudden release in your horse's movement behind? Let’s talk about it in the comments! 👇

Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters Equine Fitters Directory

I am away in Ireland until 13th (Tuesday) but orders will be processed on Monday.

Another accreditation acheived.

I often have people asking to buy a single hanger headpiece so that they can dispense with the noseband and have a Headstall Bridle.
All you need to do is buy a double buckle throatlash to use on the rear hanger.
https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/ourshop/prod_6828364-Throatlash.html

This is why a bit fitting is so important.