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Bespoke Leatherware - qualified saddlers and bit fitting consultants

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Bespoke Leatherware - qualified saddlers and bit fitting consultants

SMS qualified saddler taking all commissions/repairs specialising in bespoke bridles and bit fitting.

21/10/2024

The lovely Max after his bit and bridle fitting 😍 such a lovely boy who was previously very unhappy once a contact was taken up with tail swishing, ears back, head up and tossing, mouth open, nostrils flared and hollow choppy strides. His owner had given him a full MOT and his bit check was the last box to tick so we were very excited when by the end of his session he was relaxing and seeking the contact for himself! It’s lovely to see a horse transform so quickly and we are very excited to see how he gets on over the next few months!

23/09/2024

Rare weekend availability this Saturday 28th September in and around the DN21 area! 🐎

Here at Bespoke Leatherware your horses comfort and happiness comes first, the aim of all our bit fitting consultations is to create harmony between horse and rider where the horse is able to move freely and correctly - happy horse, happy rider!

Message us today to get booked in for your bit and bridle fitting sessions as only a few slots available! 📆🖊️

27/08/2024

Just a few of the bridles we’ve fitted lately here at Bespoke Leatherware - qualified saddlers and bit fitting consultants 🐴

Don’t forget we are happy to fit a bridle you already have, create a bespoke made to measure bridle to fit your horse perfectly or supply you with a beautiful Henry James Saddlery bridle - whatever your situation we are here to work with you to make sure your horse is as comfortable as possible!

18/07/2024

We have a new addition to the Bespoke Leatherware team! Meet the beautiful 3 month old Dalmatian Harley 😍 she is accompanying me on all my bit and bridle fitting sessions so feel free to say hello! Apologies for any delays in replies, she’s kept me quite busy these last few weeks! 🤪🐶

09/07/2024

How often do you look in your horses mouth? 🤔

A quick check can let you know if your horse has any injuries and help you keep track of their dental health.

It’s so important to maintain our horses teeth with a qualified dental technician, every 6 months for horses up to 6 as their teeth grow much faster 🦷 and every 12 months for older horses.

A horse evading whilst in work can often be a sign of dental pain, which is why I always advise clients to make sure their horses are up to date with their dental technician before booking to see me. 📅🖊️

03/07/2024

As the redeveloped bridle fitting qualification enrolment is opening on 8th July for the August and January cohorts, read Grace's journey which may convince you it's a great career choice.

Grace told us, "I am very excited to be able to call myself a Qualified Bridle Fitter with The Society of Master Saddlers! After 14 years in the industry it’s wonderful to see these new qualifications being developed, ensuring every professional is working to the same standards and putting horse welfare first."

She started her journey as a saddle and bridle maker training at Capel Manor college in 2010 and this is still a huge part of Grace's business today. "I have always had a creative streak and a love of horses, I wanted a career in which I could help make a difference for the horses that do so much for us so when I discovered this course everything fell into place! It is wonderful being able to incorporate my bridle making skills into my fitting sessions as this means my clients are able to commission a completely bespoke bridle that fits their horse's individual needs, optimising horse comfort and performance. I have also been fortunate enough to train as a bit fitter which allows me to make sure the combination of bit and bridle is working safely and effectively.

It is my aim to share the knowledge I have worked hard to gain over the years to help owners better understand their horses, the area of bit and bridle fitting has previously been overlooked so it is wonderful to see this changing!

At the heart of all my sessions the horses comfort and happiness comes first, aiming to create harmony between horse and rider where the horse is able to move freely and correctly – happy horse, happy rider!"

Well done Grace, you truly can offer a full service to your clients, very best wishes to you.

10/06/2024

Very excited to finally be a Society of Master Saddlers qualified bridle fitter! 🥳🐴 🏆

This is a very new qualification so I’m honoured to be part of such a talented group of professionals dedicated to improving horse welfare! Time to get the certificate framed and the car cleaned for the updated stickers 😍

14/05/2024

Not all of our fittings require a ridden assessment! We often help riders find the perfect starter bits for their young horses to make sure their education starts with comfort and clear communication 🐴

This gentle giant Hagel can be a sensitive soul and was constantly getting his tongue over the bit when first introduced to a bridle as he didn’t like the feel of a double jointed mouthpiece on his tongue. We changed him up for a fixed mouthpiece hanging cheek to hold the bit off of his tongue and he’s progressed in leaps and bounds ever since! The correct bit meant he was able to concentrate on what he was being asked to do and allowed him to use his body correctly to develop all of his muscles 😍

13/05/2024

With all this beautiful weather and summer approaching now is the perfect time to make sure you and your horse are set up ready for all the events you have planned! ☀️

Booked a sponsored ride and worried you won’t be able to stop at the end? 🤪
Entered a few jumping classes and not sure you’ll make all the turns?
Looking forwards to some ODE’s but not sure which bit your horse prefers for your dressage test?

Drop us a message today to get a session booked in to address all your bitting needs 📆🐎

23/04/2024

Very excited to introduce you all to Sally! 🐴💀

Sally is going to be a fantastic training aid for me to demonstrate the delicate facial structures of our horses and reiterate the importance of correct bit and bridle fit and the consequences if this is not achieved.

I will be using her in all of my upcoming talks and demonstrations so please message us today if you are interested in hosting a talk at your yard! 📆

18/04/2024

What does a bit fitting consist of? 🐴

We always start with an in-depth neck, head and mouth assessment to make sure we can identify any areas of sensitivity within your horse, take note of any tense of tight muscles and check for asymmetry. Having the answers to these questions early on allow us to create a better understanding of your horse and how we can help,if your horse is tense through the top of the neck and lacks muscle at the base it’s usually safe to assume that the horse is unhappy in the mouth and either throws their head above the vertical or refuses to work into a contact so I would instantly start to think of a more comfortable mouthpiece that will allow your horse to stretch the neck down and into a contact.

There are many factors that affect a bit selection and this is just one, I will try to post more common issues and how we might rectify them in the coming weeks! Please let me know if you have a problem/ question you would like me to address 🐴

11/04/2024

A great session the other day with the beautiful Dolly 😍 she can find the school very scary and is often tense and looking for an excuse to spook which doesn’t make schooling very fun for her owner!

This video shows her in her new bit reacting to a situation that just 10 minutes before hand she reacted to very differently. Having a correctly fitted bit not only makes your horse more comfortable but I see it time and time again where a spooky horse feels much safer and although they may still look (as we see Dolly doing at the beginning of this video) her reaction is one of happy acceptance rather than an over reaction and flight which is wonderful to see!

I have no doubt that Dolly will go from strength to strength with her new bit allowing her to relax and work properly in the school as well as providing safer communication while out having a blast in the fields 🤪🐎

If you’re having trouble with your horse please drop us a message for some advice or to book a session 📆

09/04/2024

I have some rare weekend availability around the PE14 area on Saturday 27th April 📆🐎

Message us today to get booked in for your bit and bridle fitting sessions as only a few slots available!

25/03/2024

When someone cracks a joke during your bit fitting consultation 🤪

21/03/2024

Having a comfortable horse doesn’t have to cost a fortune! This lovely girl is only in light work as she works out the ropes (and we all know how unpredictable a youngster can be 🤪) so the owner has sensibly opted for a cheaper bridle whilst she gets used to things. Her bit is from an affordable brand and the full cheeks have helped her better understand the steering aids and has been a wonderful starting bit for her. Happy horse that loves her work is what we love to see 😍🐴

19/03/2024

The importance of correct bit and bridle fit! As demonstrated by the lovely Buzz 🐝

This before and after of a recent client clearly highlights some of the common ways a horse that is uncomfortable in its bit and/ or bridle can present itself.

In the top image you can see there is a lot of tension in his jaw and poll, this is exaggerated by his open mouth, flared nostrils and pinned ears. This has also caused a tightness in the neck around C2/C3 which in turn has caused a hollowing of the lower neck creating an ‘S’ shaped bend in the neck. This positioning makes it very difficult for the nuchal ligament (that connects the poll to the back) to function correctly and be able to lift the back. A restriction in this connection can then cause the horse to hollow and have a shortened stride which is also visible in the pictures. In the bottom image with his new bit you can see Buzz has started to relax into a more comfortable contact, allowing him to stretch his neck properly creating a lovely smooth and uninterrupted curve, the nuchal ligament can stretch uninterrupted and lift the back, the stride is extended as mobility is increased and propulsion shifts back from the forehand freeing up the shoulder.

Buzz is still working a little behind the vertical but as a 15yo ex showjumper we were very pleased with the progress he made in such a short time and he should continue to stretch out over the next few weeks as his body adjusts to his new range of movement. He will also be having a new bridle which will have a huge effect!

Please feel free to message with any questions or to request a consultation for you and your horse 🐴

05/03/2024

The stunning Diamond Jubilee out competing in his new bridle this weekend! 🐴

His old bridle was causing pressure on his TMJ joint and at the bulbs of his ears. By creating an anatomical headpiece shaped specifically to his ears and poll we have removed this pressure and the added padding ensures it remains comfy even for long rides.

Dressage has never been his favourite element but it’s been wonderful watching him relax in his new bridle and he received some lovely comments from the judges so we are very excited to see how his season progresses!

Message us today to book your bit and bridle fitting consultations! 📆🖊️

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Videos

A quick and easy check we can all do to make sure our horses are comfortable! Running your hand gently down your horses cheek allows you to check for any sharpness on the molars that can case discomfort when a bridle is fitted. If your horse flinches or throws their head around then it may be time to get your Equine Dental Technician out 🐴🦷

A great session the other day with the beautiful Dolly 😍 she can find the school very scary and is often tense and looking for an excuse to spook which doesn’t make schooling very fun for her owner! This video shows her in her new bit reacting to a situation that just 10 minutes before hand she reacted to very differently. Having a correctly fitted bit not only makes your horse more comfortable but I see it time and time again where a spooky horse feels much safer and although they may still look (as we see Dolly doing at the beginning of this video) her reaction is one of happy acceptance rather than an over reaction and flight which is wonderful to see! I have no doubt that Dolly will go from strength to strength with her new bit allowing her to relax and work properly in the school as well as providing safer communication while out having a blast in the fields 🤪🐎 If you’re having trouble with your horse please drop us a message for some advice or to book a session 📆 #happyhorsehappylife #handmade #bespokeleatherware #equestrian #horsewelfare #happyhorses #bitfitting #eventing #showjumping #bridlemaker #bridlefitting #bridlefitter #bitfitter #saddler #schooling #dressage

Throw back to working with this talented pair, Jack was wonderfully expressive when he didn’t like something 🤪 which made it even sweeter to watch him settle and relax into his chosen bit ❤️ #bitfitting #bridlefitting #horsewelfare #saddlery #bespokebridles #equestrian #showing #dressage #eventing #happyhorsehappyrider

The aim of all of my bit fittings to ensure the horses comfort and welfare but also the safety and security of both horse and rider. Finding a bit that you are both confident in to go out and have fun together is crucial! We spend so much time, money and worry on our wonderful horses we should be able to enjoy the time we spend in the saddle without fear 🐎 The video shows a client testing out her new bit in a range of previously ‘problem’ areas such as cantering in the direction of home where he could be a little strong and it was so lovely to see them heading back with smiles and ears pricked ready to tackle the world ❤️ #happyhorsehappylife #handmade #bespokeleatherware #equestrian #horsewelfare #happyhorses #bitfitting #eventing #showjumping #bridlemaker #bridlefitting #bridlefitter #bitfitter #saddler #schooling #dressage

One of our talented event riders and her top horse Bilee out at a bit fitting at Ickworth XC course 😍 #bespokeleatherware #bitfitting #bridlefitting #bridlemaker #saddler #smsqualified #eventing #crosscountry #showjumping #dressage #competing #horsewelfare #happyhorses #happyhorsehappylife #equestrian

One of our talented event riders and her top horse Bilee out at a bit fitting at Ickworth XC course 😍 It’s so important to see a horse in action for us to be able to make our recommendations as accurately as possible! Bilee can be a sensitive soul but adores his work so we had to find the perfect compromise that allowed his rider greater communication through the reins to be able to set them both up perfectly for tricky combinations and tight turns whilst still allowing Bilee to travel forwards and jump confidently into the contact 🐎 Message us today to get booked in for your bit and bridle fitting consulations! 📆🖊️ #bespokeleatherware #bitfitting #bridlefitting #bridlemaker #saddler #smsqualified #eventing #crosscountry #showjumping #dressage #competing #horsewelfare #happyhorses #happyhorsehappylife #equestrian