AT Bit and Bridle Consultations

11/01/2024

Hi All, having some issues with Messenger today - please could you re-send your message if you're awaiting response from me or email me at [email protected] 📧

Thank you! 👩‍💻

10/01/2024

I've said it before and certainly the case now, I'm so lucky to have amazing clients. I love seeing updates of how you all get on post-consultations. Feedback following a visit carried out this weekend;

"We loved our visit from Alex today!😁🥰 I would highly recommend her to anyone!

We found that my mare's current double bridle set up was no good for her and the bits weren't suitable either. 😬🤔 After a thorough examination and trial and error, we finally found a combination of bits and a bridle that works for her! 💪😁 Now to get a bradoon version of her current snaffle to neaten up the setup. 😍 And order our bridle! 🙈🤣

I can't thank Alex enough for coming out to us today! 🥰 Her knowledge and expertise was amazing! 💕 Very thorough today and explained everything she was doing and why the trial bridle set up worked for Polly and her anatomy. 😊 Can't wait to book my younster in with her now! 😁"

Video below of my client finding another gear in the trot work post-consultation, on to the fun stuff now adjusting the gear changes! 👌😁
Looking forward to following this pair over the 2024 season. Thank you for sharing this video & feedback!

07/01/2024

Back to it for 2024! 👏

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New year break with your horses.

A fabulous first day back with clients at Westwood Equestrian Centre, a super location I was lucky enough to visit today for the first time.

Thank you to today's clients with their lovely horses, really enjoyed working with you all and I've been very lucky to have the opportunity to help set up their sensitive (& very cool!) mare with a Double bridle & bit combination ready for advancing their dressage training this year. I love a challenge and this was so fun to work with my client and their horse today, who pictured is demonstrating this trial set up very nicely... 🌟😁

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas all! 🎄☃️

I tried to get a festive photo but with Tips rocking the winter holiday look, this was our compromise! (we also discovered that tinsel is the enemy, who knew?! 🤣🤪)

Hoping you all have a wonderful festive period 🥰🌟

16/12/2023

Have you ever taken a moment to look - really, does my bridle/bit appear comfortable for my horse?

Today's client wanted to ensure that both horses were completely comfortable in their bits and bridles, so today we spent time testing bridle fit options during stable-based consultations with these two lovely horses. Alongside further tweaks to the overall fit following the below pictures, we've successfully confirmed anatomically suitable (therefore, comfortable!) options for both horses. Owner's current bits were generally very good and suited the oral anatomy of each horse, so we will review bitting options following further work with both horses over the next few weeks, if we need to make any alterations. 😊

Loved the thank you boop from this cute bay friend too 🥰😂 you are welcome!

10/12/2023

Hi everyone! It's been a crazy few weeks hence why this page has been a little quiet (always the same with Christmas!) but thank you to clients I've seen lately and looking forward to winding down the rest of the year over the next few weeks with some lovely horses and owners for the last Consultations of 2023!

I'm booking up very quickly for Jan 2024 (most slots gone already) so please reach out to me if you'd like to discuss availability for the new year. Thanks again to everyone who is booked in so far. 🌟

More client updates to come in the new year, website launch plus any other bits (excuse the pun) that my followers would like to see! Feel free to message or drop a comment if there's anything you'd like to see covered more on this page next year 😊

Alex & Tippy 💜

01/11/2023

Hi All!

Quick message regarding my availability for the remainder of 2023.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who is currently booked for Consultations between now and the end of December 2023, I am now FULLY BOOKED (🥳) until January 2024, unless any cancellations occur.

Can't wait to see the last two months of the year meeting lots of fab owners and lovely horses, such as my client below. 🥰

Please feel free to message regarding Jan 2024 dates if interested. 🗓

23/10/2023

Hands down, my clients are amazing 👏 Thank you! Loved working alongside Shiresaurus's lovely owner to get the right fit of bit and bridle. Seeing the picture come together in the ridden sessions will always be my favourite moment 🥰

The great big pony got 100% spoilt on Sunday by AT Bit and Bridle Consultations! After deciding that the shirasauras is most probably staying I decided to invest in some help from Alex in making sure Ruby’s ailments aren’t exacerbated by her bridle and bit. Already knowing what I have wasn’t the best fit, Alex opened my eyes to just how important getting it right is!
Alex was absolutely superb with myself and Ruby, her knowledge, care and attention is phenomenal! And after having a plod/ spook round in a few different bits and a different bridle I was stunned at the difference in the cart horse and even managed a great big, light, impulsive, dressage trot 😍
I cannot recommend Alex enough to all my pony clients - absolutely thrilled and super excited for what’s to come! !

10/10/2023

Happy one Year Anniversary!! 🥳🥂

12 months ago, I met with my very first clients for bit and bridle Consultations. Reflecting back on the horses and clients I've met, connections built and not to mention, the development of my knowledge and understanding with every Consultation, this journey has been phenomenal.

There have been lots of Learning curves but I am overjoyed that I've been so fortunate to help many lovely horses and their owners on this amazing venture. Thank you to every single client I have had the pleasure to work with so far - you're all awesome! 👏

The next step of this journey starts now! And what better place to start this!... 🌐💻

Coming soon! 🙈

01/10/2023

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲

The largest of all the cranial nerves and one of the most important to consider when fitting a bridle.

This complex nerve has three branches - Opthalmic branch, Maxillary branch and Mandibular branch.

This nerve is responsible for sensation to the head and face, and for the motor function of the chewing muscles.

The information sent to the brain covers everything from temperature and pressure to proprioception, and pain.

For lots more fascinating facts about the horse's head take a look at my book, 𝗜𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆. Discover how the anatomical structures of the head influence movement and biomechanics, as well as the muscular and skeletal health and performance of the entire horse.

30/09/2023

I'm so lucky to have opportunities with my clients so see a wide variety of horses and riders, this pony and his dedicated owners made for a very fun morning discussing bit and bridle fit with his young rider. How cute is Borris?! 🥰

Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback and wishing you all the best with your super pony 💙

Also so grateful to have had my new branded kit from Cornish Equestrian & Bespoke Embroidery keeping me dry, warm and representing! 😁👍

19/09/2023

Thank you so much Cornish Equestrian & Bespoke Embroidery! 🤩 can't wait to be out and about with the smart new kit soon! 💙🧡

A stunning bundle made for AT Bit and Bridle Consultations🐴🇬🇧

**The Ultimate Yard Bundle**

ONLY £150 INC EMBROIDERY!! (own logo embroidered)

1 x waterproof coat
1 x padded gillet or softshell gillet
1 x hoodie or fleece
1 x saddle cloth
2 x polo or tshirts
1 x. Cap/beanie/pompom hat

More colours available 🇬🇧 we now take KLARNA!

17/09/2023

A young horse testing bit and Bride alterations during our consultation, doesn't he look fab!

I am more than happy to offer a video view during ridden Consultations to help clients visualise what they are experiencing during the ride - sometimes a second pair of eyes helps with perspective!

This lovely boy and his owner have been a pleasure to work with - looking forwards to seeing them out and about next season! 💚😁

14/09/2023

Hi All!

**September through to November 2023 fully booked!**

Cancellation dates will also be advertised for availability, bookings are on a first come first serve basis.

Please message this page to book - I can't hold dates for yard/names unless in writing to confirm, due to my busy schedules. 😊

Thank you! 🐴

10/09/2023

🥰❤️

10/09/2023

The last few weeks have been incredibly busy seeing lots of lovely clients - thank you all for your patience with me getting back to your enquiries. Looking forwards to a busy month ahead!

One of those weekend's clients, when I had 2 mins to grab a quick photo. Lucky my model is so cute and looks good in every photo, done in one take! 🥰

07/09/2023

01/09/2023

Couldn't agree more! Time is the best thing for a horse, in line with consistent, unrished, correct work to develop correct posture, muscle development and for their longevity... mentally and physically. We are sometimes too quick to rush them 💡

Change takes time 🕰️

From my little Meji who was imported from Spain, to a much more confident and strong horse both mentally and physically.

All you have to do is look at his face in both photos to realise how much he was just a little baby who didn’t understand.

So many ask how I did it, and what I did…

The main thing being — I waited. So long.

This horse has never been pushed outside of his limits with me, and he never will be. All I ever taught him was to say no. He has always been forced to say yes, and just get on with it.

All I did was give him the choice to say no, and then he realised that he had the choice to say yes.

He communicated when he didn’t want to say yes, and instead of a “no” it was an “I’m sore”, or “I don’t understand” or a “Yes, but not today”.

And I listened and responded in every way I could. Not always as quickly or as much as I would have hoped, but it will forever be my number one priority.

Through all of the feed, hill work, schooling, training, waiting, asking, polework, treatments, vets, dentists, saddles, yards… the best thing you can say to your horse is that they have the choice to say “no, not today”.

06/08/2023

Back to it today with a weekend of Consultations... but no photos to back me up 😂 too busy getting back in to the swing with fabulous clients & horses!

Ready to go with a busy few weeks with clients, can't wait to meet you all.

Token horse photo tax for the post, Tippy the "AT B&B" mascot. 🥰

13/07/2023

📢 Out of Office!!

I'll be away from messenger and WhatsApp from the 14th-21st July on a non-horse Holiday 😎☀️

Messages will be responded to when I'm back, enjoy your week everyone! 🐴😊 looking forward to seeing clients again after the short break!

07/07/2023

👅 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 👅

It’s not just a bit.
It’s not just a bridle.
It’s not just a tongue sticking out the side.
It’s not just a contact evasion.
It’s not just “but they just don’t like to work in a contact”.
It’s not just “because they’re a mare”.

All of the inconsistencies or problems encountered with a contact, are all related to this very complex array of relationships between the tongue, hyoid and associated muscles.

To read more on the hyoid and it’s anatomy, and associated pathology, please have a read of my blog post here: https://vetphysiophyle.co.uk/2019/02/05/the-equine-hyoid-apparatus/.

Just a little diagram to make us think. 🧠

05/07/2023

(Not my photo!) but where to even begin?!... 🤦‍♂️😂

02/07/2023

🇬🇧 BD Tack & Equipment update - July 2023 🇬🇧

Are you up to date with the latest Tack & Equipment regulations for BD? Here is a snapshot of the Bit and Bridle information. The full handbook for all Equipment guidelines is available for FREE download via the BD website, now!

Avoid disappointment of elimination by ensuring your horse is equipped with the correct, legal Tack, best suited to your horse's anatomy and way of going, to help produce your best results possible. If you're interested in discussing this further, feel free to contact me to discuss a consultation! 😊🐴

(Images & Text below copyright of British Dressage.)

11/06/2023

Comfy horses = happy horses💡... All types included!

Today's client owns this wonderful mare who loves her hacking. Whilst there were no "obvious" signs of issues with the previous Bit & Bridle, her owner wanted to ensure she was as comfortable as possible for their adventures. Great success today with clear improvements in the horse's way of going, once we adjusted both bit and bridle for the right "fit". Sometimes even the most minor of adjustments help to make the difference!

Horses don't need to be perfectly schooled or out competing every weekend to justify addressing the correct bit and bridle fit - we ourselves are not top level athletes & yet we would make sure we have a comfortable pair of shoes on our feet. Thank you to today's lovely client for taking the time to make sure we established the preferred Bit & Bridle set up for her horse. 🥰👍

03/06/2023

4 horses for bit and bridle Consultations today, and what a day for it! The tan lines will be strong this evening 😂

I love varied days like this, seeing a range of horses with all different shapes, sizes and requirements. All horses have been very receptive to different combinations we've tried. I've enjoyed helping all horse and rider pairings move forwards with suitable options for correct bits and bridles.

Win/win with super horses, lovely clients and fantastic weather! 😎☀️

22/05/2023

Absolutely over the moon for clients doing so well at RWAS Festival this weekend! Bit and bridle comfort is just one step of the journey to get to this level of preperation for horse and rider... The feeling of galloping around this ring is like no other.

Amazing work & massive congratulations to my clients!🌟🧡

19/05/2023

Fantastic news to hear from my client, who's mare previously experienced bridle shyness due to discomfort from an unsuitable bridle fit. So pleased that everything is now connecting together for you all. ❤️😁