EquiBit Ireland - Bit and Bridle Fitting Solutions

02/12/2025

You van have both comfort and style in your bridle! I fit a range of bridles with fabulous bling browbands if you like some bling. PM if you would like a fitting for 2026.

EvoEquine LTD
Horsemanship Saddlery UK Ltd.
Dragonfly Saddlery - West Country Saddle Fitting
Shires Equestrian

Christmas sparkle may soon be on your mind? ✨🎄
Before you treat yourself (or your horse) to glitter and gadgets, ask yourself:

Is a fitting appointment the better gift?

Christmas sparkle is great, but the real upgrade isn’t the bling, it’s the fit.
Better fit =
✅ Comfort
✅ Communication
✅ Confidence

Nothing glows brighter than a horse moving freely and happily.
This festive season, let your partnership sparkle. ✨


🎄
✨
🎁

01/12/2025

When riding, it’s easy to fixate on your horse’s head. After all, from the saddle, your horse's head and neck are right in front of you.

But instead of focusing on what you SEE, focus on what you FEEL through your seat, and shift your attention to your horse’s hind legs.

When the hind legs are working correctly, you’ll feel (through your seat) your horse lift his back and swing forward in a relaxed, regular rhythm. And when that happens, the front end will usually take care of itself.

❌ Focusing on your horse's head (what you SEE in front of you)
✅ Focusing on your horse's hind legs (what you FEEL through your seat)

Illustration created and copyrighted by HowToDressage

01/12/2025

Give your horse the gift of comfort this Christmas with this beautiful Antares Signature Training Bridle. The bridle is full size and in brown.

Headpiece : The headpiece is anatomically shaped, wide and padded to avoid pressure points at the nape of the neck.
Browband : The padded browband is slightly curved too alleviate pressure on the temporal muscles.
Noseband : The noseband is made with wide, soft leather padding. The flash part is completely removable.

The draw will be made on 21st December. Delivery in time for Christmas can not be guaranteed.

27/11/2025

27/11/2025

A bridle is only anatomically friendly if it fits!! incorrectly fitted anatomical bridles can cause pressure just like badly fitted traditional bridles. It's all in the fit! I carry over 25 headpieces from 4 different brands & getting the fit exactly right at times is tricky. 1 headpiece might fit with a snaffle but with a hanging cheek, gag, pelham it won't fit. Last weekend I fitted a bridle with a full size headpiece, browband, cob noseband and Pony cheekpieces. An off the peg bridle won't give you that option. Head shape, ear shape and size, poll length, positioning of atlas, position and size of tmj are all factors which determine headpiece shape and size.

📣 "ANATOMICAL” has become one of the most frequently used buzz terms in contemporary bridle design. But is an off the shelf bridle truly anatomical for every horse or indeed any horse?

Check out our latest article, free to read 👉 https://equinepartnership.ie/bitless/anatomical-bridle-fit/


Image Credit: Micklem Bridle

27/11/2025

This 👌 people often ride downwards transitions from front to back i.e they pull on the rains & hope for the best. The horse then leans into the contact & often shows resistance in the mouth. The horse is meant to be rear wheel drive. The sequence of aids for the downwards transition should be seat, leg and then hand. The horse should stop first in the hindleg. When this is taught & executed correctly & thoughtfully by the rider the should be balanced enough to not lean on the hand & therefore remain soft in the riders hand

You should never ride a downward transition by pulling back on the reins. Instead, you should ride them using your seat.

👉 Before the transition, your seat should passively follow your horse's movement.
👉 To ask for the transition, you stop your seat.
👉 Once your horse has transitioned, you allow your hips to follow your horse's movement once again.

You can give a rein aid by closing your fingers around the reins (not pulling back), but downward transitions should always be ridden more from the seat than from the reins.

Illustration created and copyrighted by HowToDressage

21/11/2025

18/11/2025

Give your horse the gift of comfort this festive season. These are the remaining dates for a bit/bridle fitting for 2025. The diary is now open for 2026.

Would you let your farrier just put any shoes on your horse or your saddler put any saddle on your horse? They fit according to your horse's unique needs and conformation.

A bit and bridle fitter considers your horse's oral anatomy - the size and shape of the bars, upper palatte, palatine grooves, tongue, lips and head conformation - size and position of bony projections, muscle development, shape and depth of ears etc. I consider your horse's age, muscle development, way of going, stage of training, level of fitness, level of rider and other contributing factors. Each horse also has an individual preference to the amount of movement they like in their mouths - some like movement and some like stability. The horse choses the mouthpiece and the cheek or ring is then chosen the partnership needs to improve the communication and connection i.e. some horses may prefer a loose ring so they can place the mouthpiece where they like or they may prefer the stability of the fixed cheek. The rider may chose a D ring if they need some lateral support to to help steering.

Booking is now opened for Northern Ireland and surrounding border counties. Feel free to send me a message [email protected] and I will try and fit you in wherever I can.

16/11/2025

16/11/2025

🐴 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿?

Remember — “fitter” isn’t a protected term, so anyone can call themselves one. Choosing a qualified professional helps ensure your horse’s comfort, performance, and welfare.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

1. Qualifications and Accreditation
• Look for fitters listed with the Equine Fitters Council or a recognised professional body.
• Ask about their formal training (e.g. saddle, bridle, or bit fitting qualifications).
• Check if they complete continuing professional development (CPD).

2. Experience and Specialism
• How long have they been fitting?
• Do they specialise in a certain discipline (e.g. dressage, eventing, rehabilitation)?
• Have they worked with horses similar to yours (breed, shape, or training level)?

3. Insurance and Professional Standards
• Ensure they hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
• If they are a Listed Equine Fitter, they will follow the EFC code of conduct and professional ethics.

4. Approach and Welfare
• They should always put horse welfare first.
• A good fitter will take time to assess the horse, rider, and equipment together.
• They should explain what they’re doing and why, encouraging owner involvement.

5. Collaboration
• The best fitters work alongside vets, physios, and other equine professionals.
• They should be willing to refer to other specialists if needed.

6. References and Reviews
• Ask for client feedback or testimonials.
• Look for recommendations from trusted equine professionals.

7. Transparency and Reporting
• Expect clear communication about costs, services, and aftercare.
• They should provide a written report or fitting record after visits.

You can check the Equine Fitters Directory to find accredited fitters near you 👉 Equine Fitters Directory - https://www.equinefittersdirectory.org/

14/11/2025

Another reason to use a back strap with a gag type. Back straps are allowed in British Showjumping but under Showjumping Ireland pony rules. How crazy is that! Welfare should always come first.