The Bit Fitter

03/07/2025

Hi Everyone.
Bit Fitting appointments now require a booking deposit.
You’ll be sent the payment link upon booking the spot.
The appointment can only be held once the deposit is paid. If I have other booking requests then they will take priority and I may no longer be able to hold your spot.
So please pay the deposit promptly to avoid disappointment.
Refundable within 7 days, due to weather or extreme circumstances.

Thank you and happy riding! 🐴

29/06/2025

The calendar for July!
August is starting to book up, so please get in touch for appointments.
Please send a PM and I’ll send through the necessary forms.

*drive thru only available for dentistry

22/06/2025

Availability for Dental or Bit Fitting!!

Tomorrow (Monday) at 12pm
Anstead/Fig Tree Pocket/moggil

22/05/2025

Hi guys,
I’m on my way to Thailand 🏖️👙☀️🇹🇭🤿
I’ll be contactable on fb and insta, just not on the phone or via text.
I’ll be back on 10th June.

09/05/2025

Available dates for May and June

29/03/2025

This guy has been a journey. It’s taken me 3 years to get him to Elementary, hopefully now we can get some changes happening!
There’s been good rides and bad, but he just keeps on stepping it up 🥰

05/02/2025

Pony Club Australia are doing a wonderful job of educating kids (and adults) about welfare issues. Hopefully the upcoming generations will be muck kinder to their horses 💗

A 2017 study, 𝘕𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 – 𝘈𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 by Orla Doherty et al., examined the effects of noseband tightness in competition horses.

The study found that 44% of competition horses in dressage and eventing had nosebands tightened so much that it was impossible to insert the ISES taper gauge under the noseband, effectively classified as zero fingers’ tightness. Only 7% of nosebands were fitted at the recommended level of two fingers’ tightness.

The widespread use of restrictive nosebands raises concerns about potential welfare consequences for horses.

⚠️ 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀

The study highlighted several potential consequences of excessive noseband tightness, including:

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀: Tight nosebands exert high pressure on the soft tissues of the face, particularly over prominent bones such as the nasal and jaw bones. This pressure can lead to discomfort, pain, and tissue damage.

𝗧𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲: Research suggests that sustained pressure above 350 mmHg can cause tissue damage. Some tight nosebands have been recorded exceeding 1,400 mmHg, well beyond the threshold for safe pressure levels. The pressures exerted by tight nosebands can exceed levels known to cause pain and tissue damage in humans and other animals.

𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Excessive compression of facial nerves can lead to neural damage. In extreme cases, this may result in denervation, which can cause a loss of sensation in parts of the face. Trigeminal neuritis, a condition linked to head-shaking in horses, has also been associated with nerve compression.

𝗕𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗹𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: When the mucosa inside the horse’s mouth is pressed against sharp molars due to a tight noseband, ulceration and laceration may occur, causing pain and potential infection.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Horses use mouth movements to respond to bit pressure, adjust the position of the bit, and express discomfort. Overly tight nosebands can prevent these behaviours, potentially leading to increased stress and discomfort.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: The study referenced concerns that tight nosebands may restrict nasal expansion, which could impact a horse’s ability to breathe freely, particularly during strenuous exercise.

17/01/2025

I have people ask me every day "What bit should I use on my horse?"
Usually I will recommend something like one of my TBF bits, which will cause minimal harm and be comfortable for most horses.
But I can't recommend anything specific without a fitting.
ESPECIALLY not jumping, leverage, curb or rubber bits. It could be a huge waste of your money and time purchasing a bit that won't do the job.
I know it's nicer to have an answer, but without seeing your horse under saddle (and someone on the end of the reins) it's a guess!

16/01/2025

🤔 What actually IS a bit fitting?!

15/01/2025

Check out The Bit Fitter's Online Bit and Bridle Foundations Course

14/01/2025

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Client Review
Do you need help with your dressage horse, show jumper, reiner or pony club pony?
Drop me a line and we can chat about a bit fitting appointment.

13/01/2025

Update your knowledge with my Online Bit and Bridle Fitting course!
Only $99, start whenever you like, go at your own pace, access forever.