EquiBit Ireland - Bit and Bridle Fitting Solutions

13/06/2025

Delighted to be sponsoring a class at my local show 😊 Its always a great show, loads of classes, a great atmosphere & in the grounds of the beautiful Necarne Castle. There is still time to enter

With only 3 more days left to enter (entries close Sunday 5pm) check out our schedule to get your entries in!

https://buff.ly/WENXFC4

Entries via JumpTime

We would also like to thank our sponsors who have so kindly supported the show this year ❤️

's fuels & feeds - generous contribution to championships
A Taste Of The Countryside - generous contribution to championships
Loaneden Caravan park - generous contribution to championships
-bit Ireland - sponsor of the 80cm ponies novice WH
Mahon's Hotel - generous contribution to championships
Carzone NI - sponsor of a fantastic fence in the Open WH
tractors - generous contribution to championships
Aldertree Equine - generous contribution to championships and a voucher for the Fermanagh Ridden Horse class winner
Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges - generous contribution to championships
Breen Farrier - generous contribution to championships
Kavanaugh Construction - generous contribution to championships
Marcus Johnston plumbing and heating - generous contribution to championships
Treo Eile - sponsor of both Race horse to Riding horse classes which are also qualifiers for their final!
Sharon Kelly Equine Physio - sponsor of a fantastic fence in the Open WH

We are also delighted to have the Fermanagh Fun Farm & Granny Flo's Cafe at the show on Sunday with their stall and some animals!!

More thank yous to follow and if you are interested in getting involved please get in touch!

07/06/2025

Great explanation of bit materials 👍 there are so many out there & some horses just seem to prefer some more than others ☺️

Happy Friday everyone! Let’s talk bit materials 🔬

Have you ever considered what material bit you use on your horse and the possible effects it may have? With so many options, we’ll give you a quick run through of the key points of each-

🔴 Stainless Steel- Most commonly seen material. It is cheap, tasteless and durable, but can often be cold in the horses mouth, particularly in the winter months.

⚪️ Copper Alloy- Slightly warmer in the horse’s mouth compared to stainless steel, designed to encourage relaxation and salivation. Has also been shown to have antibacterial properties.

🔵 Sweet Iron- Sweet to the taste and has a high carbon content, leading to oxidisation when it comes into contact with the horses saliva. Designed to rust and often creates quicker acceptance time and relaxation.

🟠 Nickel- Can bend and develop hard edges, found in many vintage bits.

🟤 Plastic- Encourages salivation due to texture and sometimes flavour, but is prone to chewing and sharp edges can harm sensitive oral tissue.

🟢 Rubber- Warm and soft in the horses mouth but often bulky and prone to chewing. Must be reinforced to prevent the horse chewing through entirely.

🟡 Titanium- Lightweight and durable, but often expensive. Also has hypoallergenic properties.

So what is the right choice? Well, that depends entirely on your horses preference!
Whilst materials can make the bit a more pleasant experience for your horse, it’s worth noting that the mouthpiece and cheeks are as important, so a balance must be sought where all three are suitable for your horses needs and oral conformation. Why not look at booking a consultation to try for yourself?

07/06/2025

Correct warm up & plenty of time spent walking is so important 👌

07/06/2025

I have availability week beginning 7th July in Co Down, Monaghan, Meath & later in July in Galway. Msg for more details 🤩

07/06/2025

Proud to be a member 👌

03/06/2025

This 👌

Understanding the Stiff Side

Every horse has a stiff side—typically the side where they avoid bending or stepping under with the hind leg. This stiffness isn’t just about flexibility; it often reflects uneven strength, balance, and coordination.

On the stiff side, a horse may resist the bend, lean on the rein, push against the rider’s inside leg, or swing the haunches out. The goal is not to force the bend, but to patiently encourage suppleness through correct, consistent work. Exercises like shoulder-in, leg yield, and circles help build symmetry and unlock the horse’s body.

If a rider tries to force the bend, they often end up with a crooked neck and a back that remains stiff. Instead, focus on softening the horse to the leg and using gentle bend to unlock the back. This allows the horse to carry themselves without leaning on the rein or falling on the shoulder.

The stiff side requires time, patience, and thoughtful training—don’t fight it.

31/05/2025

When your bit fitting clients are at a Saddlery 🤩🤩 I had a look around & they have lots of fab bridles too choose from 👍 Also spotted a bit jacket which I think I NEED!! Doubt my husband would agree though 😂

28/05/2025

I am a full independent fitter. I don't have trade accounts with any companies. Any of the bits/bridles I have, I have bought myself.
🐴 I carry a range of Horsemanship Saddlery UK Ltd. and EvoEquine LTD bridles as they have a range of headpieces & are anatomically designed with horse welfare in mind. I also carry a LeMieux bridle and a Shires Equestrian Lusso Velociti bridle as they are good value, good quality & fit a range of horses. I have 2 Dragonfly Saddlery - West Country Saddle Fitting Willow and Rowan Bridles, which are super quality & fit a good range of horses. I have a Quantum Bridle also to try.
🐴 I don't sell bridles, when I find one which suits your horse, you order it yourself from the company it's from. It's the same for bits.
🐴 I carry a range of bits from Horsemanship Saddlery, Fager, Sprenger, Stubben, Myler Bits®, Trust, Winderen, Neue Schule and Beris. I handpicked the bits I like from each of these companies because of their quality, anatomical & welfare friendly designs. All selected to carefully fit your horses oral conformation.
🐴 You can avail of bit trials from The Bit Doctor - Bit and Bridle Fitter if you would like to trial any bits I recommend with a 10% discount. EvoEquine offer my clients 25% off Bridles & Horsemanship Saddlery give £4 off each complete bridle bought from them. I also have a 10% discount code from The Horse Bit Shop so you have lots of options 😀

Equine Fitters Directory Horse Bit Fit Academy Bit/Bridle Fitting Courses HBFA Courses - EAPER Bit And Bridle Fitting Consultants

28/05/2025

I have availability on this route or near this route on Saturday 28 June. Please message me for more details

27/05/2025

Some useful links to Bit & Bridle webinars

🐴🐴🐴NOSEBANDS🐴🐴🐴

How does this image look to you?
Do you think this is comfortable?
Do you think this looks correctly fitted?

If you want to dig deep into this topic, we have some great content around Bits and Bridles from real experts in this area Dianna Fisher and Emma Busk. And you can access ALL of this and everything else for just £8 a month, including joining our Members only Facebook group where you can ask the experts your specific questions! https://askanimalweb.com/join-now/

Equine cranial/facial anatomy and bridle fitting – Emma Busk
https://askanimalweb.com/webinar-equine-cranial-facial-anatomy-and-bridle-fitting-emma-busk/

Oral Anatomy & Bit Fit – Emma Busk
https://askanimalweb.com/webinar-oral-anatomy-bit-fit-emma-busk/

Interview with Emma Busk - Independent bit & bridle fitter
https://askanimalweb.com/podcast-emma-busk-interview-independent-bit-bridle-fitter/

Equine Bitting for Welfare and Performance – Di Fisher
https://askanimalweb.com/webinar-equine-bitting-for-welfare-and-performance-di-fisher/

Equine Bridles – Diana Fisher
https://askanimalweb.com/webinar-equine-bridles-diana-fisher/

27/05/2025

I am lucky to have had the privilege to train and work for Eric Smiley, International Event rider and Fellow of the British Horse Society. I loved the long journeys to competitions because I got the time to ask him lots and lots of questions! he has immense knowledge and a unique ability to get his clients to figure out solutions to problems themselves. He had a very simplistic but highly effective method of training young horses. He was the first person I worked with who did not use a breaking bit with keys to start a youngster. Clear communication and understanding that horse's perceive things different to humans was a game changer for me.

One of my pet hates as a Coach/Bit Fitter is the 3 ring gag. I detest them! In 2019 Eric Smiley wrote a book called 'Two Brains One Aim'. If you have never read it please do! The book explains how humans and horses interact and offers practical advice and exercises to improve the partnership. One of the areas he discusses is the use of bits and communication.

Communicating with a horse through the bit involves using gentle pressure and release to guide and influence the horse's movements and behaviour. The horse needs firstly to accept the bit within the oral cavity and then needs to be to respond to the bits pressure. Riders should use the reins, along with their legs and weight, to cue the horse, and the bit then acts as a point of contact and communication. The horse learns to respond to the pressure and release, allowing for subtle and precise communication. The release to pressure is the reward and it reinforces the correct behaviour.

Effective pressure and release relies on consistency, using the smallest amount of pressure necessary, and timing the release to coincide with the horse's correct response. Choosing the right bit which suits the oral anatomy is crucial for the horse's comfort and for the rider to be able to apply pressure and release effectively.

In the article below Eric explains why good communication is important and the pitfalls that come with using a gag type bit.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/cross-country-safety-bitting-falls-677373

https://ericsmiley.co.uk/articles/