Rookery Bit and Bridle Fitting

19/09/2025

Pleased to say i’ve applied and been accepted onto the Equine Fitters Directory!

The Equine Fitters Directory allows you to search for and compare professional saddle, bit, bridle, and harness fitters to find the right equine fitter for you and your horse.

Every listed Equine Fitter is validated and meets the listing criteria set by the Equine Fitters Council: they must hold insurance, pursue continued professional development, and agree to abide by the EFC Code of Conduct.

Get in touch for any bit and bridle fitting needs and be met with assured competency.

12/09/2025

Why choose an independent Bit and Bridle Fitter?

Choosing an independent, qualified bit and bridle fitter ensures you receive expert, unbiased advice tailored specifically to your horse’s unique needs. Just like people, every horse is different- what works for one may not work for another. That’s why no single brand can suit every horse.

At Rookery Bit & Bridle Fitting, our independence allows us to take a truly holistic approach. We're not tied to any one manufacturer, so we can select from a wide range of options to find the best possible fit for your horse. This freedom also enables us to continue expanding our knowledge across various fitting methods and philosophies, ensuring we stay at the forefront of equine comfort and performance.

28/08/2025

Back at it today with an informative talk at a camp at Kelsall Hill!

There’s nothing more rewarding than doing my part to educate and empower riders, helping them feel confident in assessing their own bit and bridle fit for the benefit of both horse and rider 🙌🏼

Make sure to get in touch if you’re interested in a talk for your camp, college, university or yard.

27/08/2025

Just back from two incredibly informative days in Northampton with the Society of Master Saddlers as part of my Assured Certificate in Bridle Fitting (ACBF) course 🧠

We covered a wide range of fascinating topics that have really helped expand my knowledge and skillset. I didn’t manage to get many photos (I was too busy soaking it all in!), but it was a fantastic experience.

I'll now be steadily working through my assignments in the lead-up to the final residential next May- where, all being well, I’ll be certified with the SMS!

It’s a real privilege to learn from some of the most experienced professionals in the industry and continue building on my understanding of this ever-evolving subject. I’m committed to staying current with the latest training to ensure I can offer the best possible service to my clients- and of course your wonderful horses ☺️

04/08/2025

Interesting to read more articles highlighting the importance of a correctly fitted noseband. This is a point I often try to reiterate as the detrimental effects are far greater than we may even realise.

New research shows cranking the noseband hurts your horse's gait.

There are always many opinions about nosebands. Too loose, and a trainer might call it sloppy. Too tight, and it becomes a welfare concern. There are studded and crank and chain and traditional, and all kinds of gadgets and gizmos designed to keep our horse’s mouth shut, but what is best for the horse? Is cranking that extra hole doing more harm than good?

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science examined the impact of noseband tightness on pressure and performance. The results are eye-opening if you believe that a tighter noseband means better performance in the ring.

Most riders are familiar with the standard: leave two fingers’ space beneath the noseband. It’s even outlined in guidelines from the FEI. And according to the study, 85% of riders say they know this recommendation. But when researchers actually measured the fit using a standardized taper gauge, only 15% had their nosebands adjusted to the proper tension.

The vast majority were too tight. Sometimes dramatically too tight.

The Hidden Pressure on a Horse’s Face
In the study, eight horses were fitted with a simple cavesson noseband and tested at three settings: a standard two-finger fit, a snug one-finger fit, and a cranked-tight zero-finger fit. Under each setting, researchers measured facial pressure and evaluated gait.

- The one-finger setting increased pressure on the nasal bone by 54% over the two-finger baseline.
- The zero-finger setting? A staggering 338% increase in pressure.

Imagine trying to do your day job with a belt cinched tight around your nose and jaw. Now add that your success relies on body movement, and you have no way to say, “This hurts.” That’s similar to what the horse might feel like being asked to perform in a fully tightened noseband that more than triples the force exerted on its face.

Unfortunately, changes to tack and equipment don’t typically come solely from the perspective of the horse’s comfort. So let’s look at performance as well.

In addition to pressure data, the researchers measured each horse’s trot stride. As the noseband got tighter, the stride got shorter—by a lot. On average:

- Horses at the one-finger tightness lost 6.2% of their stride length.
- With a fully tightened noseband, stride loss jumped to 11.1%.

In real-world terms, that’s about 24 centimeters, roughly the length of a hoof, disappearing from every stride. While that may not sound dramatic at first, consider how it compounds across a full course. Shorter strides can mean rushed distances, flat movement, and a horse that never quite gets to “flow.” In the hunter ring, 24 centimeters could be the difference between pinning in a highly competitive under saddle class.

And this wasn’t just about stiffness or resistance. The study found a statistically significant negative correlation between noseband pressure and stride length. In short, the tighter the fit, the shorter the step.

Sure, a longer stride is helpful in the show ring. But this research highlights deeper concerns about what that level of pressure does to the horse’s face and nerves. The noseband sits directly over sensitive structures, including branches of the trigeminal nerve, which help regulate posture and proprioception. Excessive pressure here doesn’t just hurt. It may also interfere with the horse’s balance and coordination.

Previous studies have shown that pressures as low as 32 kPa can damage tissue. In this study, the tightest noseband setting reached an average of 115.8 kPa. That’s far above what’s been associated with pain or injury in other species. That number isn’t just theoretical. It’s happening under tack, often unnoticed, every day. And unlike overt lameness, this kind of pressure flies under the radar, making it easy to miss, but just as impactful.

🔗 Read the full article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/07/30/new-research-shows-cranking-your-noseband-hurts-your-horses-gait/

🔗 Read the full study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080625003120?via%3Dihub

01/08/2025

From September 2025, the Danish Equestrian Federation will restrict double bridles to level 4+ in dressage, part of sweeping horse welfare reforms.

16/07/2025

Lovely day yesterday, fitting for our collaborative partners Heath Equine Veterinary Practice Kathy & Niamh, and of course the lovely Ratty.

 Looking forward to getting to showcase our collaborative approach and the importance of correct fitting in tomorrow’s free event ‘Form to Fitness’ hosted by Rookery Equine Ltd - Fitness and Rehabilitation Centre 🧬

11/07/2025

Grackles- Why use one?

Grackles, or figure-eight nosebands, are often seen on eventers and show jumpers, but they’re not just a fashion statement. There’s real science behind why they’re used.

🔹 Improved Breathing
Unlike traditional cavessons, grackles sit higher on the horse’s face, avoiding the soft nasal cartilage. This allows for better airflow, especially important during intense exercise.

🔹 Bit Stability
By helping to stabilize the bit and reduce lateral movement, a grackle can support clearer communication between horse and rider, especially for horses who tend to cross their jaw or resist contact.

🔹 Gentle Control
Grackles are designed to discourage excessive mouth opening without the need for tight cranks or pressure points. When properly fitted, they work with the horse’s natural anatomy, not against it.

However, no noseband should ever be used to mask discomfort. A horse that’s resisting the contact or evading the bit may be trying to tell you something. Correct bit and bridle fitting is key to ensuring comfort, balance, and performance.

📩 DM to book a fitting or ask about grackles and other noseband options.

06/02/2025

Excited to announce we’re now stockists of the whole Neue Schule range!

We are able to order anything from their vast range of bits, as well as carrying a number of them during our fitting consultations for your horse to try 🐴