Struggling to Find the Right Bit for Your Horse?

Bit Fitting is About Seeing the Whole Picture

Lately, I’ve seen so many riders during bit fitting appointments who’ve tried every bit in the tack room, some have spent a fortune … and they’re still not getting that comfortable, consistent contact they’re looking for.

The Problem? It’s Not Always the Bit

The usual approach? Scroll the internet, read about how a bit should work for your horse, buy it … and then it doesn’t do what it says on the tin. What looks correct in theory doesn’t always translate into the right bit choice in practice.

When the Bit Isn’t the Real Problem

Bit mechanics are just one part of the equation. What works in theory doesn’t always work in practice. A horse with a low head carriage will feel a bit completely differently to one that carries themselves higher. Add in the rider’s hands, balance, and even tension through the body-and suddenly that “mild” bit feels anything but.

Most riders aren’t expected to be experts in how bits work, and that’s completely fair. It’s a bit like shoeing. I’ve had horses for over 35 years and I know a fair bit about feet… but I wouldn’t dream of shoeing my own horse. I don’t have that depth of knowledge. That’s what I trust my farrier for.

It’s the same with professional bit fitting. Understanding how a bit works in theory is one thing. Assessing how it sits, stabilises and interacts with your horse in real life is another.

What a Professional Bit Fitter Actually Looks At

It’s the same with bits. You shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone, and that’s where I come in. My fitting sessions aren’t just about bit mechanics or what the horse needs. I look at the full picture: horse, rider, conformation, way of going, history, and habits.

Because let’s face it, you’re both on either end of the rein.

The bit needs to suit both of you.

So if you’ve been feeling stuck, unsure, or frustrated, it might be time to look at things a little differently. You don’t need a magic bit… just the right support to figure out what’s really going on.

And that’s what I do.

Because the bit isn’t the whole story – it’s just where we start!