Informed Designs new

08/04/2024

If you accidentally order the wrong bit or size of course I will help you out as long as you don't mind me asking for you to cover the postage that I will have to pay to get the right bit to you.
But I will stress this again I do not run a Bit Bank the lovely people at Horse Bit Bank do a wonderful job of Bit Banking my bits.
So if you order randomly I don't feel obliged to jump through hoops to take back a bit you have ordered and want a refund for That's not my job I have set in place a facility for you to do this if you are not sure what you need
Tiny rant over

22/03/2024

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/fei-terminates-ieoc-agreement-853008

The FEI has been criticised for its “Putinesque” handling of the International Eventing Officials Club (IEOC), by removing it as an official stakeholder. The FEI has terminated its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the club, which means it is no longer recognised as the official organisatio...

20/03/2024

https://www.britishequestrian.org.uk/equine/ethics-and-welfare

The welfare and wellbeing of our horses and all other equids is paramount to all of those who interact with them. At British Equestrian, we work with our member bodies, and in turn their members, to ensure the very best standards and excellence in their care, treatment and use in sport, hobby or ...

20/03/2024

Just a reminder
Homework!
It's a task to find what the horse and you are asking for in a Bitting Consultation but we should get a really good glimpse of what is possible in the session
But you have to then do your part Just to carry on riding as you have and allowing your horse to go in his habitual way does not improve him or follow up on the glimpse you have been given
You need to train him or her forward with kindness and patience (they have done no wrong but been led to believe thats how they go) into a new way with plenty of stretching and dipping in and out of a new frame or power to then over a period of time gain a much better and balanced way of going
If you think changing a piece of tack is going to solve all your problems without any change in your own riding style/training methods you are wrong
Tiny vent at an end 🙂

08/01/2024

Been working on a new project based on who is already well trained and have been quietly working on their skills. And moving forward to opportunities for future training for some

FEDERATION OF HORSE BITTING CONSULTANTS

29/11/2023

CONTOUR LOOSE RING SNAFFLE

After successfully using Contour Loose Rings on my van for what seem like forever I have now got enough quantity to have them on my webite

The Contour mouthpiece is a 13mm generously curved loose ring Oval Lozenge Snaffle with a slightly longer Lozenge covered more area inside the mouth

Designed to encourage the Horse forward into the contact

Very good for

Horses that like the slightly thicker mouthpiece

Horses that are reluctant to take the contact forward

Horses that have been in restrictive mouthpieces and have tongue issues

Horses that you want to create a more consistent contact with

17/10/2023

Liberty Eggbutt Snaffle

Having researched how much or how little curve you need to help different Horses to be able to respond well I have 6 distinct curved mouthpieces

The Liberty has the most generous forward curve of all my snaffle mouthpieces
The Liberty
Gives a Horse jaw and tongue room behind the mouthpiece
Encourages a Horse to move forward into the contact
Gives confidence to Horses that have been poorly bitted
Perfect for Young Horses bitted for the first time
Good for retraining
Helps to still a busy mouth

The Liberty mouthpiece has small joints a neat Lozenge and follows the conformation inside the Horses mouth
A comfortable no pinch mouthpiece with good signalling ability and release and reward

12/10/2023

24/09/2023

22/08/2023

Riders should be given the option to use a snaffle bridle instead of a double in international dressage, according to a leading equine research support body. The call came from the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), which promotes equine welfare by improving horse and human interac...

07/08/2023

Renewed
Quite daunting and a bit nerve wracking but both really interesting and some new things learnt from last time

05/05/2023

Liberty Eggbutt

The Liberty has the most generous forward curve of all my Eggbutt
Snaffles I have researched how much or how little curve you need to help different Horses move forward into a comfortable space and the Liberty really encourages a Horse forward

For the Horse It should feel like a perfect curved fit between the top of the tongue and the roof of the mouth
For the Rider very even feel forward into the hands

Very useful for Horses that have been

Poorly bitted in the past and are frightened of their mouths
Horses that have been started on head pressures and are now being introduced to a bit
Young Horses bitted for the first time
Any Horse that needs to be bitted very comfortably and forward
Any Horse that is very busy in the mouth and cannot seem to settle
Any Horse that has not really settled in other Lozenge mouthpieces

04/05/2023

** THURSDAY RESEARCH MEME**

Todays research meme relates to the importance of considering the anatomy of the head when fitting bridles, particularly the headpiece and noseband. From a previous study we have shown that bridle pressures around the TMJ and lateral aspect of the nasal bone can have a significant effect on equine locomotion. As can been seen, the bridle and its features are positioned close too, and around certain anatomical structures, and it is important that these are considered, in order to optimise comfort. 🤓

For more information www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/blog/

28/04/2023

This would be a typical email that I get always remember if you are moving forward with your training you may have to move forward with some of your tack

3-4 years ago you saw my Horse and fitted your harmony Eggbutt snaffle.
This has been amazing and is still the bit he is happiest in.
I have played with a few other bits as in the last 6 months we have been asking for a more consistent contact and asking him to lift a little more at his poll. When he is asked to engage more he is too low and a little heavy

I know it is partly a strength problem, but we are now in a chicken and egg situation.
I have spoken with my instructor and physio who believe we might be able to make a change to help, but we are not sure where to go.
I have tried ported straight bar, turtle top, raising the bit a little. They all result in an unhappy horse.
Thank you for your time

My answer

Thank you for your email I am so pleased that my Harmony Eggbutt snaffle has been so successful

You just need to move forward into a bit that now supports this stage of your training
Each of my mouthpieces says something different so the Harmony encourages the horse to be confident to go forward and to keep the mouth still and to go to the end of the rein which it appears to have done

I would now suggest that you move forward into my Precision mouthpiece it has the same diameter as the Harmony but the centre is different the joints go the other way and the centre has an Oval Lozenge instead of a Round one This will encourage him to go to the end of the rein but with a higher lighter frame

Then if you feel you like the consistency and support of the Eggbutt cheek go for my Precision Eggbut or if you feel he needs to be a little freer and doesn't need as much support go for my Precision Loose ring

I hope that this has been of some help Please feel free to ask more if you need to

25/04/2023

Welcome to the Happiness Horsebox! Our mission is to provide access to horses and the joy of riding for adults and children with disabilities. Our project wa...

11/03/2023

How to get your horse up to top-level fitness...

11/03/2023

British U25 champ Greta Mason shares her exercise tips...

10/03/2023

With the right bit it is possible to encourage the horse to go to the correct place in the bridle by creating comfort, release and reward, making it quite clear where the most comfortable place in the bridle is.
A well made well balanced bit should aid the horse and rider, not hinder and make the Horse uncomfortable and less responsive
A well made and designed bit should be engineered to have release and reward built into the design so the riders hand can maintain a light rein contact and not have to constantly give away too much contact to compensate for the bit

09/03/2023

Double Bridles
Despite the fact that lots of words are written about Double Bridles and the suggestion that they should not be used
Perhaps we should encourage rules that give Riders the choice then good training and good riding will be evident

​Think of it this way you are trying to use two well-made, well balanced, comfortable bits that give you a whole raft of additional signals and more release and reward than can be achieved from just a snaffle alone

Finding the right set of bits for your horse is critical, so you can communicate effectively and humanely with him and he can relax into his work, allowing the Horse to swallow freely and to be comfortable and responsive as he progresses with his training.

The right Double Bridle Bits should promote:
Refinement
Communication
Definition
Elegance
Collection
and
Follow the Scales of Training

02/03/2023

Such a nice venue I do enjoy doing clinics here Easy to get to good parking and lovely arenas

Hilary Vernon is returning to Swallowfield for more clinics during 2023!! 🥳🤩

First clinic of the year is Saturday 8th April!

A “Try before you buy” solution to take away the guess work.

Find the correct bit for your horse with the expert Hilary!

Spaces remain for 8th April 🥳💫

https://livefeed.myridinglife.com/feed?e=405672&LocationID=1616

25/02/2023

Jo’s Test & Train Thursdays 💙

Every Thursday, why not save yourself £10 of the normal lesson price and book in for a fab session with Jo Swain!

40 minute coached session whether it be to work on a particular movement, way of going, or even go through a test! Your choice 🥳

Spaces per week go quickly so avoid disappointment and book in early 🤩💫

https://swallowfieldec.co.uk/events-and-clinics/competition-calendar/