A Bit Relaxed - Bit and bridle fitting

We had fun at the Trailblazers Championships at Addington a couple of weeks ago.

China was a 🌟 🤩

Some fun spooking moments but a lot of good work and she's very settled in her bit and bridle with no fussing.

Changing her bit earlier this year is what inspired me to start this journey. I knew she wasn't quite right in her old bit and it meant she couldn't comfortably use her body to progress in her work without some discomfort.

A lot of research later and a trial of a bit from Belle at Aster bits and she is happy which is my goal for her.

A bit does more than we think, but also its important to know that apparent dislike of a bit can also be a symptom of discomfort elsewhere in the horses body. It's one big complicated link through their body, the more I do the more I learn and its fascinating.

Do get on touch if you'd like a consultation.

The first photo is how we both feel after getting home late last night from the Trailblazers finals.
She's been amazing but we are both pooped now.

Only a few free days left in August for bit fittings so message if you are interested.

I have a busy few weeks coming up, including time away with my beautiful girl competing at the Trailblazers dressage championships.

If anyone is looking to book in for an appointment in August please get in touch as availability for appointments is limited 😊

Photo of me and my girl last week at Somerford camp.
We are now working on initiating dressage mode after a weekend of fun and bouncing 😀

I was very honoured to meet Nina (owner), the beautiful Ivy and her herd today.
Ivy is a 5 year old Suffolk Punch, an endangered breed. She is absolutely stunning and very friendly ❤️.

She will be going for training under saddle and to harness later this year and I'm so excited to see how she progresses.

Ivy is a multi champion in-hand mare, so lovely to meet her 8 herd mares too including two gorgeous foals. So lovely to see so many fine Suffolk Punch horses today. I'm very lucky ☺️

Sparkle has been helping me with my Sprenger bit order this morning.

Order submitted, awaiting delivery now. Exciting 😊

A lovely visit to Finn today 😊

Fiona came to meet Finn & I today. I was so grateful for her kind & holistic approach (Finn liked her) and she gave him patience & time to try a few bits, as he’s been in the same one since before we backed & started him almost 2 years ago. The difference in the one he liked was very obvious & it was lovely to feel him being comfortable & forward, taking the contact & stretching. He was so chilled he had a little nap afterwards on the yard.🐴🍊🥰

Today after a 6.45am hack in a thunder storm where I got totally drenched (refreshed!) I headed to Wales to learn about the range of Sprenger bits and improve my knowledge.

Did you know:

Herm Sprenger have been manufacturing bits by hand in Germany since 1872?

Sprenger remains a family business and is now being managed by the fourth / fifth generation?

Sprenger initiated a survey of horses' mouth cavities to understand the space available for and position of bits in a horses mouth which was used in development of their products?

I will be doing some research now to decide which Sprenger bits to stock (I have a few but there is a large selection and I want to have the most useful ones in stock for trial during consultations).

Many thanks to Lindsey and Simon for making me very welcome and taking time to teach me about the bits and bridles!

It was lovely to meet Leigh and Raven this morning, making sure Raven is comfy for the start of his ridden education. Such a lovely boy and he was perfectly behaved ❤️

Today Raven had his fitting for his first bit, Fiona was incredibly knowledgeable and he seems to really like the bit she selected for him. I am feeling ready now to get him working with a contact and ready to progress to the next stage of backing him. I absolutely think everyone should have a bit/bridle fitting, its something that we all take for granted and yet there is so much we dont know! I learnt alot from Fiona today x highly recommend you give her a call xx

Today and tomorrow I'm completing the final stages of my first aid at work course so that clients can feel confident that I am able to help should anything untoward happen.

We all know that being with and riding horses comes with risks we cant always control.

My insurance is in place and I'm doing more learning as time goes on.

Update as promised: I've just shared my introductory pricing and some information about consultations.

Next week I complete my first aid at work training, my liability and care, custody and control insurance is live from 17 June.

Appointments are available from 24th June onwards. Please message me if you would like to book in.

Many thanks
Fiona