EquiBit Ireland - Bit and Bridle Fitting Solutions

16/01/2026

📆 Antrim area availability 24 January (Afternoon)

I’ll be covering Ballymena, Antrim & Carrickfergus with limited bit and bridle fitting appointments available.

I can also stop en route in Omagh, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Randalstown or Ballyclare if that works better for your yard.

📲 All appointments must be booked through the EquiGate app (free to download).

Perfect for checks, adjustments, or trying new setups.

Send me a message if you need any help with booking! 🐴✨

13/01/2026

✅ Ditch that old Hunter Bridle and Make Your Horse More Comfortable & Improve Performance

Traditional hunter-style bridles may look classic, but they can cause areas of high pressure and discomfort:

❌ Straight, wide headpieces – create concentrated pressure across the poll, TMJ and around the ears.
❌ Noseband strap under the headpiece – adds extra pressure over the poll, increasing discomfort.
❌ Pressure on ears, poll & TMJ – affects sensitive nerves and muscles, leading to tension.
❌ Uneven buckles – cause imbalance and poor rein communication.
❌ Restricted movement – research shows poll pressure reduces limb flexion and freedom.
❌ Minimal padding – leads to soreness and rub marks.

✅ Upgrade with EquiBit

I carry Shires, EvoEquine, and Horsemanship Saddlery bridles – all designed with mono headpieces to reduce pressure and improve comfort.

✔ Each bridle can be custom fit with a headpiece that fits your horse – Mix and match sizes for a perfect fit.
✔ Prices range from: £62–£195.
✔ Performance backed by science.
✔ Your horse deserves the best.

📍 Book your bridle fitting today and give your horse the comfort it deserves!

👉 Bookings via Equigate - FREE on iPhone & Android
Invitation Code: W69372

Equine Fitters Directory
EvoEquine LTD
Horsemanship Saddlery UK Ltd.

https://www.evoequine.co.uk/store/c60/Hunter_Bridles.html
https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/saturn-anatomical-bridle.html
https://shiresequestrian.com/products/lusso-hunter-cavesson-bridle?srsltid=AfmBOooaRxw9YkNfs5Wm4Eyv0vJ5ypmT1B6iOr-pZwHaw0zWqhF19vPe
https://shiresequestrian.com/products/velociti-rapida-hunter-cavesson-bridle?srsltid=AfmBOorsjcWgnWxvkMhFnB4irs1dq_HEg8quIPc3TwL28l3zFnYYpOOM

12/01/2026

✨ Bit & Bridle Fitting Dates – Start of 2026 ✨

📅 Check out our upcoming fitting dates and book your slot today!

Why is a proper fit so important? 🐴
✔ Comfort for your horse
✔ Clear communication
✔ Enhances partnership
✔ Boosts performance
✔ Improves connection

11/01/2026

I have availability along or around this route on SATURDAY 7TH FEBRUARY, for Bit & Bridle Fitting. PM for more details

11/01/2026

10/01/2026

I carry EvoEquine LTD bridles in my kit. Have a look on their website, they have lots of great options. I also have a discount code for my clients 😄. PM if you would like to add a bridle fitting to an existing booking or if you would like a custom bridle fitting in 2026

Did you know that EvoEquine bridles can be purchased in a multiple of sizes:
- Full
- Cob
- Pony
- Custom - mix and match
We all know that one horse that had an awkward head size, fear not though as EvoEquine can mix and match bridle parts to ensure a perfect fit for your horse.
Check out our website www.evoequine.co.uk for the complete range

08/01/2026

EVERY HORSE RIDER SHOULD KNOW HOW THEIR BRIDLE SHOULD FIT and the reasons why it is so important 👌

Thank you EDA Equine - Certified Independent Saddle Fitting for this useful concise article 👏

07/01/2026

Great post & so true. I rarely fit a bridle with parts all the one size. It mostly takes a mixture of pony, cob, full and X full sizes 😯 this is why bridles bought off the peg rarely fit

Thank you to my lovely friend Ginny Bradley for this super post!

🐴 I get asked so many times does the bridle really make a difference?

✨️Well yes of course it does. Here is one (amongst a lot more) reasons why.

🐴 Here is a cob in a cob sized bridle... it makes sense right?

🤔Not in this chaps case!

👇You can see how small the headpiece is, the hole for the hangers is supposed to be level with the browband. This allows the contour of the headpiece to be in the correct place for the shape of the ear bulb.
🤦‍♂️Due to this sitting higher it made the padding dig into the top of the ear and the straight cut part of the bridle wit behind the ear digging in. The hangers also move with rein pressure so the headpiece was then moving around at the back of the ear.

🐴Still think that doesn't make any difference?
Well have you ever worn an Alice band or glasses which are too tight for your head and they dig it in at the back of the ear?

😎You're getting it now!

🥳There are so many nerves and muscles around this area which are so important to your horses comfort!
Please be kind to your horse and make sure their tack fits!

🤪This chap ended up with an extra full... yes 2 sizes bigger in the headpiece!

🥿Fancy wearing shoes which are 2 sizes too small and being cramped into them?

06/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year to all my amazing clients! 🎉

I’m excited to share a few important updates for 2026:
✅ All bookings will now be made through Equigate
✅ Payment must be received before appointments
✅ All reports will be sent via Equigate
✅ I will no longer be ordering bridles and bits for clients – this must be done by the client. I will provide detailed guidelines on how to do this.

I’ll also be sharing helpful guides on:
📌 What happens during a bit and bridle fitting
📌 How to prepare for your appointment
📌 How to order your new bit and bridle
📌 How to care for your new equipment

💰 Pricing:
Combined Bit & Bridle Fitting Consultation – £80 / €90 (2 hours)
Initial Bit Fitting Consultation – £65 / €75 (1.5 hours)
Follow-up Bit Fitting Consultation – £55 / €65 (1 hour)
Stable Consultation (Bit or Bridle, non-ridden) – £50 / €60 (45 mins–1 hour)

🚗 Travel Costs:
Travel costs will be in addition to the consultation fee for travel over 20 miles from BT94 1ES and are charged at 50p or €0.60 per mile.
Travel costs will be shared among all clients on the day.

📅 Upcoming Availability:
📍 Antrim – 24 January
📍 North Dublin / Meath – 13 February
📍 Co Down – 12 February

Booking Details:
1️⃣ Download the EquiGate App
2️⃣ Add invitation code: W69372
3️⃣ Request your appointment

Thank you for your continued support—I look forward to working with you this year! 🌟

06/01/2026

Very useful post for those unaware of the geniglossius muscles on the tongue. It has huge significance when it comes to bit fitting. If a bit touches it the horse will automatically react to the discomfort. Choosing a bit which fits the horses oral conformation is imperative to ensuring your horse is comfortable and can perform at their best.

Thank you KM Equine Services for such a useful post

05/01/2026

Not trying to do myself out of work by sharing this post as my aim is always to improve horse welfare & make horses more comfortable & help the rider find answers to their problems

🐴 At the start of every session I take a detailed history of the horse...any previous lameness issues, riding issues, feet issues, saddle fitting issues, teeth issues, performance issues etc

🐴 Next I study the head & mouth anatomy...I assess the angle of the wing of atlas, the poll shape, ear shape & curve, position of TMJ, space around it, temporarl muscle formation, facial crest, width of mandible, shape of jaw, width of jaw, position of premolars, canines, & incisors, depth and width of upper palate, how stretchy the lips are, the shape & depth of the lips, the shape, width & depth of the palatine grooves, the shape, depth & position of the bars, the size of the tongue, the position and size of the geniglossius muscle....each of these anatomical features tell me what type of bits & bridles will suit the conformation

🐴 I assess the current bit and bridle in relation to fit and suitability

🐴 I watch the horses reaction to be tacked up with saddle & bridle/bit

🐴 I assess the horses behaviour when being mounted

🐴 I assess the horses way of going, behaviour and biomechanics when being worked in their own tack & when trialing new bits and or bridles.

🐴 I note the subtle changes in gait and behaviour. I discuss everything with the rider, what I see and how they feel. Sometimes I might notice that the bit evasion happens in a downwards transition or going away from the gate or on one rein in particular. Some horses prefer stability in the mouth and some prefer a bit that moves more.

🕵️ Basically I'm like a detective!! I don't push sales as I don't make any money from sales & I'm fully independent of any brand. I pick & chose from the brands which are welfare friendly & will suit your horse.

📋 I will provide you with a report on the day detailing my finds & all we have discussed as well as recommendations to improve your partnership, your horses comfort & overall performance

🤗 I don't just leave you there, I am happy to support you through our your journey. I can advise you on the fit of your new bridle & how your horse goes in a new bit (if required). I don't always recommend a new bit, sometimes it's schooling, physio or a trip to the vet that provides the answers.

❓How do I provide all this knowledge as a bit fitter...I have a lifetimes experience with horses, I hold a Higher National Diploma in Horse Studies, a BSc (Hons) in Equine Management 2:1, a British Horse Society Stage 4 riding and stable management certificate & Intermediate teaching certificate. I have trained many students for Pony Club exams, British Horse Society exams & for the past 20 years as an Equine Lecturer/ Coach at both Further & Higher Education levels in an Equine College. I worked in a dressage/jumping yard in Germany, trained and coached in Gleneagles in Scotland, worked for the fabulous Eric Smiley at an International Eventing Yard, worked for Millar Brooke Farm, in Ontario, Canada for Ian Millar & travelled the world managing International Showjumping Horses, and I've also managed Riding School/Livery/Sales yard.

I am a true horse lover & professional. I keep upto date with research & knowledge and there is such an abundance of it which I love!!

If you feel I can help you, drop me a PM and I can send you more information.

30/12/2025

Don't listen to marketing claims! Anatomical bridle are only 'anatomically friendly' if they actually fit your horse, otherwise they can cause higher pressure!

Traditional bridles are not better either if they don't fit. I have about 30 different shaped headpieces from different companies in my kit but only 1 fits my own horse!

I very rarely ever fit a bridle in full size all around, alot of off the peg bridles measurements are really off.

Most cheekpieces I come across are too long, noseband hangars are also often too long. I see lots of bridles causing pressure at the top, back & bottom of the ears, the TMJ, the facial crest, the infraorbital foramen, the mental foramen & the soft cartilage at the end of the nose.

Pressure = pain & discomfort which causes lack of communication & connection between horse & rider which leads to poor performance.