A Bit Above Equine Bit & Bridle Fitting, LLC

A Bit Above Equine Bit & Bridle Fitting, LLC Bit and bridle fittings, specializing in hunters, jumpers and equitation.

3 ways to know your horse hates their bitYou don’t need a mind reader, just listen to what your horse is already telling...
10/20/2025

3 ways to know your horse hates their bit

You don’t need a mind reader, just listen to what your horse is already telling you.

1️⃣ The Tongue Drama: sticking it out, sucking it back, or trying to get it over the bit. That’s not attitude; it’s discomfort.
2️⃣ The Head Shuffle: shaking, tilting, or rooting against the contact. Usually a sign of uncomfortable pressure.
3️⃣ The Silent Protest: bracing through the neck, inconsistent rhythm, or refusing to stretch. Sometimes the “quiet” ones are the loudest communicators.

Does your horse exhibit any of these behaviors? A professional bit fitting can help you figure out if your horse’s reaction is behavioral… or biomechanical.

Low palate? Tight Mouth? Fluffy tongue?Just like saddles, bits are not one-size-fits-all.Every horse’s mouth is shaped d...
10/16/2025

Low palate? Tight Mouth? Fluffy tongue?

Just like saddles, bits are not one-size-fits-all.

Every horse’s mouth is shaped differently. Some have low palates, some have thick tongues, and others have narrow bars or tight lips. These variations completely change how a bit feels once it’s in the mouth.

A bit that looks mild in one horse can create pinching or pain in another simply because of conformation differences.

Bit fitting can be trial and error, but it’s more so about understanding anatomy, balance, and biomechanics.
The right bit allows the horse to swallow, relax the jaw, and move freely through the poll to the tail.

Your horse's comfort isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation for connection and a stronger partnership.

Fitting for the Green Horse 💚Your horse’s first experiences in a bit and bridle set the foundation for how they’ll under...
10/14/2025

Fitting for the Green Horse 💚

Your horse’s first experiences in a bit and bridle set the foundation for how they’ll understand contact, connection, and communication for years to come.

When fitting a green horse, I aim for comfort so aids are soft and clear.

💚Choose a bit that’s gentle, stable, and fits the horse’s mouth anatomy. Something that encourages them to *seek* the contact rather than avoid it.
💚I like to select a bridle that’s simple and allows freedom at the poll and jaw. This meaning I prefer a well-fitting monocrown with a properly adjusted noseband.
💚Prioritize relaxation and confidence. A calm mouth and soft topline are signs the horse is mentally and physically ready to learn.

Early fit matters because a positive first impression of contact creates a lifetime of willing, confident movement.

What does your horse’s tongue tell you? 👅The tongue is one of the most expressive parts of the horse’s mouth. When you s...
10/12/2025

What does your horse’s tongue tell you? 👅
The tongue is one of the most expressive parts of the horse’s mouth. When you see a tongue sticking out, crossing, pulling back, or going over the bit, it’s often the horse communicating discomfort.

Because the tongue is connected to the hyoid apparatus, tension here can affect the poll, neck, shoulders, all the way to the back and hind end.

A horse may have a tongue aversion due to:
🔻 Bit that’s too thick or too narrow
🔻 Pressure from the bit joint or lozenge on the tongue
🔻 Nosebands that restrict natural tongue movement

A correctly fitted bit and bridle give the tongue freedom and stability, leading to softer contact and more balanced movement. Your horse is always telling a story. Are you listening?

Bit thickness matter more than most riders realize.Thicker bits (18mm & greater) can spread pressure over a wider surfac...
10/10/2025

Bit thickness matter more than most riders realize.

Thicker bits (18mm & greater) can spread pressure over a wider surface area, which in theory is gentler, but only if the horse has enough room in their mouth. Horses with a low palate or large tongues, a bit that's too thick can cause constant pressure and discomfort.

Thinner bits (14mm & less) tend to leave more space in the mouth, but concentrates pressure which makes them feel sharper. These suit horses that have limited room or need clear rein aids.

The sweet spot for bit thickness - in my opinion, is 16mm. Most horses can accommodate the width without adding undue sharpness. However, it's important to look at each horse individually.

My own horse, for example, came to me with an 18mm bit. After examining his mouth, I felt like it was too much so I tried several thinner bits with similar mouthpieces. The jokes on me, he prefers an 18-20mm mouthpiece (although I did change the mouthpiece shape). His mouth is quiet, and he stays even in the contact. Anything thinner, he chews, chomps and falls behind the bit.

10/10/2025

🐴 BRIDLING 101!🐴 Like any other tack or equipment you use on your horse, proper bridle fit is crucial for his comfort and to ensure you can communicate effectively through your rein aids.

How many bridle blunders can you spot in this picture?!?

Something I’ve been thinking about lately…Sometimes when clients bring in outside professionals it can feel like trainer...
10/07/2025

Something I’ve been thinking about lately…

Sometimes when clients bring in outside professionals it can feel like trainers aren’t always open to the extra support.

I'm the least confrontational person, so when I make a suggestion for a change I try to acknowledge why they're doing it a certain way and why I'm suggesting they TRY a different way. And being transparent - 90% of the time this has to do with a noseband change. Whether it's a different noseband, looser noseband or change in noseband position.

I've had a trainer straight up tell me that she was "just going to change it back after I leave." 😳 Yikes.

But at the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal: healthier, happier, better-performing horses. 🐴✨

I’d love to hear your thoughts—how can we encourage more teamwork and collaboration in our industry?

Did you know that bit sizing isn't universal?A "5 inch" bit in one brand can run wider or narrower than another. In addi...
10/04/2025

Did you know that bit sizing isn't universal?

A "5 inch" bit in one brand can run wider or narrower than another. In addition, the mouthpiece shape and action can influence how it lays in the horse's mouth. Some mouthpieces need more room while others may require a size down.

That's why it's so important to carefully measure and consider both the brand and how the mouthpiece functions with and without rein tension. The right fit means comfort and clear communication.

My process starts before we even meet: with a short questionnaire to learn about you and your horse.At your appointment,...
10/02/2025

My process starts before we even meet: with a short questionnaire to learn about you and your horse.

At your appointment, I begin with a head palpation to check for any sensitivities. These can come from equipment (bit, bridle, halter) or from muscle tightness and compensation patterns.

Next is the oral exam, where I assess the palate, bars, tongue, and more to understand what will fit your horse conformationally.

From there, we evaluate your bridle (2 bridle fittings are included!) piece by piece from crown to bit placement.

Finally comes the fun part: trying new bits! Most sessions allow us to test 3–5 options, chosen based on your horse’s mouth, your riding goals, and discipline needs. Once we find one that works, you have the option to trial it!

It’s a thorough, horse-first process designed to set both horse and rider up for success. ✨🐴

Poll pressure: subtle or significant?Your horse’s poll is more than just the top of their head, it’s a sensitive area p...
09/30/2025

Poll pressure: subtle or significant?

Your horse’s poll is more than just the top of their head, it’s a sensitive area packed with nerves, blood supply, and connective tissue linking the jaw, head, and neck.
When a bridle or crownpiece concentrates uneven pressure at the poll, it can lead to:
🔻 Tension through the neck and topline
🔻 Teeth grinding and/or head shaking
🔻 Going above or behind the bit

✅ A well-designed and correctly fitted crown piece distributes pressure evenly across the poll and encourages true suppleness from nose to tail. When your horse is happy in their poll, the difference can be seen through their entire body.

Bit Thickness... does it make a difference?Well, it depends. Some horses prefer thinner bits, while others prefer thicke...
09/28/2025

Bit Thickness... does it make a difference?

Well, it depends. Some horses prefer thinner bits, while others prefer thicker bits. I've often heard that the thicker a bit's mouthpiece is the gentler it is. While this makes logical sense seeing as how the larger surface area allows for greater pressure distribution, some horses just simply cannot accommodate that amount of bit. A bit that's too thick can over stretch their lips and put constant pressure on their tongue, lips and bars.

Opposite of a thick bit, a thin bit is known for being harsh due to the small surface area pressure is distributed. And while that can be true, I find that the severity really increases with thicknesses less than 12mm.

Generally speaking most brands that scale their bits for ponies keep the cannons around 12 - 14mm. For horses, I don't like to have anything thinner than 12mm or thicker than 18mm, unless the horse tells us otherwise - which does happen!

What cannon thickness is your bit?

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Birmingham, AL

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+17179686283

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