Sophie Bannon Equestrian: Bit and Bridle Fitter & Holistic Training

28/09/2025

Bit fitting in Wales today! From ex-racers to 11hh ponies, it’s always a joy helping horses find comfort. 🐴🌿

Want your horse’s bit checked or something comfier? Send me a message! ✨

28/09/2025

This is why I pay close attention to these behaviours during a bitting consultation — they can highlight signs of pain or discomfort that may influence bit suitability and the horse’s way of going. 👇🏼

🐴 The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) is a scientifically validated tool developed by Dr. Sue Dyson and colleagues to identify subtle signs of musculoskeletal pain in horses under saddle. It comprises 24 specific behaviors that, when observed, can indicate discomfort or pain. If a horse displays 8 or more of these behaviors during a short ridden assessment, it is likely experiencing musculoskeletal pain .

The behaviors are categorized into Head, Neck, Back, Gait, and Rider Interaction. Each behavior has been observed to be significantly more likely in horses with pain compared to those without.

🐴 Head & Neck
1. Head tilting
2. Head shaking
3. Head tossing
4. Ears pinned back for ≥5 seconds
5. Abnormal head carriage
6. Resistance to flexion
7. Difficulty maintaining a straight line
8. Hollowing of the neck

🐴 Back
9. Hollowing of the back
10. Swishing tail for ≥5 seconds
11. Tail clamping
12. Kicking at the belly
13. Bucking
14. Resisting forward movement
15. Reluctance to move forward
16. Lameness or uneven gait

🐴 Gait
17. Shortened stride length
18. Uneven stride rhythm
19. Head bobbing
20. Stiffness in movement
21. Difficulty with lateral movements
22. Tripping or stumbling
23. Reluctance to canter or jump

🐴 Rider Interaction
24. Resistance to rider aids

These behaviors are not always indicative of pain but, when observed in combination, can suggest discomfort. It’s important to consider the context and consult with a veterinarian or equine professional for a comprehensive assessment.

For a visual guide and further information, you can download the free mobile field guide from the official website: https://www.24horsebehaviors.org/free-downloads

26/09/2025

✨ Self-Carriage vs Forced Frame ✨

This is a picture I’m not especially proud of – taken not long after I first started Tango under saddle. At the time, I only knew one way of riding: the old-school, traditional method of “pinning their heads in.”

Even with professional help, I was stuck in that mindset. But Tango is not the type to tolerate anything he doesn’t think is up to his standards (and quite rightly so!). Eventually, it led to major issues under saddle – to the point where he wouldn’t even trot.

That was when I first crossed paths with V.C Equine Performance & Partnership, and honestly, it changed everything. She helped me shift my mindset completely – not just in how I rode, but in how I viewed horsemanship as a whole.

Learning true self-carriage has been the hardest and most rewarding journey. It wasn’t a quick fix. It took years of undoing old habits – nagging legs, poor balance, forcing instead of allowing – and building new foundations.

Tango has been my greatest teacher throughout it all. He always tells me when something isn’t right, and over time, I’ve learned to listen. That listening, that partnership, is what eventually inspired me to start my own business.

Looking back now, the difference between forced frame and self-carriage is night and day – and the photos really do speak for themselves.

💫 Sometimes the hardest lessons become the most important ones.

26/09/2025

Balance pads aren’t just for people—they’re a great tool for horses too! 🐴✨ They help improve proprioception (body awareness), strengthen stabilizing muscles, and support joint health. Using them in groundwork or rehab can increase balance, coordination, and confidence.

Ideally, the horse works with a lower head position to get the full benefit. With Roo, I used a lick to help keep him focused and in the right posture. 💕🐎

Ignore the rubbish photo 🤣 trying to keep a 2-year-old balanced and take a picture at the same time was a mission 🙈

26/09/2025

Horses whisper before they shout.
The obvious signs of pain—bucking, spooking, rearing—come after the quieter cues have been missed.

Pay attention to the subtle signals: tension in the face, a triangle eye, pinned ears, resistance to tack, reluctance to move forward, or hesitance at the mounting block.

Once you allow yourself to truly look, the signs become unmistakable. 🤍

Imagine going about your day but not being able to talk. How would you communicate your wants, needs, successes, pain…? 🤐

Your only way of communicating is really through your actions.
But you can only communicate with trusted people, if you make a misjudgment and choose the wrong person you will be [at best] ignored.

Horses can only communicate in this way; through their actions, expressions and behaviours. If they have no trusted people (ie. no one that listens OR someone who misinterprets), their actions will get louder and louder.

There are then 3️⃣ paths;
💛 You realise and you listen to your horse, responding as needed.
🖤 Your horses communication efforts are ignored, they get more in dramatic with their actions & behaviour, becoming difficult and dangerous. Pain memory territory.
💔 Your horses communication efforts are not only ignored, but negatively reinforced in ways that mean your horse must get on with it. So they shut down and learn to not communicate.

Listen to each and every communication your horse makes with you, open up for a two way conversation. Imagine the relief you would feel to have someone that would listen to you?

Pain and dysfunction can manifest in so many forms;
🔸 Twisting to the right? Poll tension, jaw pain, dental problems, tack fit, compensation patterns…
🔸 Fine on right rein but struggling left combined with sensitive right flank? Hindgut/digestive issues…
🔸 Fidgety to saddle? Ulcers, preempting discomfort when ridden, poor saddle fit (yes, even if you’ve just had it checked), incorrect girth design
🔸 Unhappy in the field/stable? Freedom, friends, forage - are these needs being met?
🔸 Stiffness? Pain, lack of movement (no, not always ridden)

Just because they can’t vocally say “my pain/struggle/discomfort is HERE”, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

I’m constantly working to refine my understanding of his communication, and also dissolving other opinions along the way that are not helpful.

If you have ever for even a moment put a ❓over something about your horse, listen… zoom in… see what makes it better, what makes it worse… & if you’re not sure, ask a trusted professional 🤍

📸

25/09/2025

25/09/2025

✨ Tango Update ✨

Tango is still on paddock rest at the moment and seems to be coping as well as can be expected – these turnout pens really are a godsend 🧡. He had his jabs done today by the lovely team at Quiggin Equine Vets, who I’d highly recommend.

We’ll have his lameness vet back out in a few weeks to check on his progress, but for now he’s happy, relaxed, and soaking up the autumn sunshine ☀️🐴

25/09/2025

24/09/2025

🌟 Client of the Week 🌟

This week I want to celebrate Bonnie Marie Pearce and her horse, Havvy. When she first reached out, she was honest about being new to horse ownership and wanting to make sure she was doing the very best for her horse. That willingness to ask for help and learn is exactly what makes a great horse owner.

Together we took a step back, looked at the bigger picture, and started building solid foundations. In just a short time, I’ve seen huge progress in both Bonnie and Havvy. 🐴 Their partnership is growing stronger every week, and it’s a joy to watch.

For me, it doesn’t matter how much experience someone has – what matters is the effort to put the horse first, and that’s exactly what they are doing. 💛

24/09/2025

Roo went on his first in-hand walk 🐴✨

Just a short trip to the end of the drive and back to introduce something new and keep his mind engaged. He stayed confident throughout and it was a really positive first step in his education. 👌🏼