Notimetoride
Well-Known Member
As title. Thanks
Horse Bit Fit. Experiences please
- Thread starter Notimetoride
- Start date
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Er, what do you mean? Bits are sized in centimetres or inches, experience will give you a general idea of what size will roughly fit any given horse (for instance most horses of the breed I have will take a 12.5cm mouthpiece). If there's loads hanging out of the side of the mouth it's too big; if the lips are pinched looking it's too small. Jointed bits are different to straight bar bits, and will need to be a bit wider.
milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
I think Horse Bit Fit is a mobile consultancy which can advise on bitting. The blurb seems to concentrate on myler and NS bits.
No experience sorry OP, I've always figured it out based on feedback from the horse myself.
No experience sorry OP, I've always figured it out based on feedback from the horse myself.
abbijay
Well-Known Member
I haven't used Carol for a consultation as she's very difficult to coordinate a date/time with. She organises them at fairly short notice (not compliant with the kind of notice I need to book time off at work) and as she moves around so much she's not in the area for very long.
She's a facebook friend from the days when she ran a bit bank in Cheshire and I do believe her to be very knowledgeable based on the feedback she gets online. However I think she's unorthodox in her approach so if you are used to certain ways of doing things you might be surprised at her ways.
I ended up using a locally based bitting consultant to sort me out when my limited knowledge ran out of options and ended up putting me on a very different tangent to where I had been.
She's a facebook friend from the days when she ran a bit bank in Cheshire and I do believe her to be very knowledgeable based on the feedback she gets online. However I think she's unorthodox in her approach so if you are used to certain ways of doing things you might be surprised at her ways.
I ended up using a locally based bitting consultant to sort me out when my limited knowledge ran out of options and ended up putting me on a very different tangent to where I had been.
Notimetoride
Well-Known Member
Sorry I should have said. It is indeed a mobile consultancy as per below. Just looking for people's experiences.
Amye
Well-Known Member
I have James, who covers the Yorkshire area, coming out to me on 21st. I can update after then!
I'm rubbish with bitting so really just wanted someone to come out for a bit of advice. Bit pricey but i've heard good stuff so am taking a punt to see if they can suggest anything my boy will go better in. I already use a myler so will be interesting to see what they say at least.
I'm rubbish with bitting so really just wanted someone to come out for a bit of advice. Bit pricey but i've heard good stuff so am taking a punt to see if they can suggest anything my boy will go better in. I already use a myler so will be interesting to see what they say at least.
abbijay
Well-Known Member
How much is James? I thought it was pretty cheap at about £25 for a ridden consultation which is about half what I paid with a local expert.
Annagain
Well-Known Member
I've never used them but in my experience bitting is a case of trial and error so I'm not sure how much value they would add unless you get to keep a bit for a few weeks to try. They may well have an idea of the sort of bit that will be appropriate for a certain issue so will help you narrow your selection but until you try it for at least a few weeks you won't know for certain.
Notimetoride
Well-Known Member
Anyone else come accross them ?
Notimetoride
Well-Known Member
Anyone ��
Amye
Well-Known Member
Had the consultation yesterday with James.
Have to say, I thought it was worth it for me and my boy. If you have a lot of knowledge of bitting etc then perhaps it might not be for you, but I learnt a lot.
James started with a stable consultation and looked at J without his bridle on to see the shape of his mouth/tongue etc etc. He then had a look at what bit he was already in (Myler comfort snaffle) and we popped the bridle on to make sure it all fitted. He checked all the bridle to make sure there were no tight points or buckles pressing into pressure points etc. Verdict was that looking at it, my bridle and bit should be fine for J. He has quite a small, fleshy mouth with a big tongue (so not the easiest fit!) but the Myler should technically be a good fit.
Then we went for the ridden part. James watched me walk/trot/canter on both reins and do a few circles. He explained that J was fixing his jaw and, though the myler should be a good fit, it didn't seem like J was accepting it that well. He went off and got a couple of loose ring bits to see if J would like that more than the eggbut. We swapped the bit to a bomber happy tongue and the change in J was almost instant. He just felt much lighter at the end of the reins and seemed to accept this bit much better. Obviously J was still J and he didn't instantly change into this perfect dressage horse, but he felt much better.
James doesn't sell bits but I've ordered one for the 30 day trial at the bit shop to make sure it's definitely the right one for us.
FOR ME, I think it was worth it. I don't know that much about bitting and having someone come out and have a look and say what was and wasn't right was helpful. He explained alot more then I've put here and I found it useful and interesting. A new bit won't solve everything but I definitely felt the difference!
ETA: He spent around an hour in total with us and did have a couple more bits we could have tried but we didn't end up trying them as J seemed so much happier in the bomber
It was £45 for the ridden consultation. Though it would have been less if more people on the yard has booked on too. That was just for my horse.
Have to say, I thought it was worth it for me and my boy. If you have a lot of knowledge of bitting etc then perhaps it might not be for you, but I learnt a lot.
James started with a stable consultation and looked at J without his bridle on to see the shape of his mouth/tongue etc etc. He then had a look at what bit he was already in (Myler comfort snaffle) and we popped the bridle on to make sure it all fitted. He checked all the bridle to make sure there were no tight points or buckles pressing into pressure points etc. Verdict was that looking at it, my bridle and bit should be fine for J. He has quite a small, fleshy mouth with a big tongue (so not the easiest fit!) but the Myler should technically be a good fit.
Then we went for the ridden part. James watched me walk/trot/canter on both reins and do a few circles. He explained that J was fixing his jaw and, though the myler should be a good fit, it didn't seem like J was accepting it that well. He went off and got a couple of loose ring bits to see if J would like that more than the eggbut. We swapped the bit to a bomber happy tongue and the change in J was almost instant. He just felt much lighter at the end of the reins and seemed to accept this bit much better. Obviously J was still J and he didn't instantly change into this perfect dressage horse, but he felt much better.
James doesn't sell bits but I've ordered one for the 30 day trial at the bit shop to make sure it's definitely the right one for us.
FOR ME, I think it was worth it. I don't know that much about bitting and having someone come out and have a look and say what was and wasn't right was helpful. He explained alot more then I've put here and I found it useful and interesting. A new bit won't solve everything but I definitely felt the difference!
ETA: He spent around an hour in total with us and did have a couple more bits we could have tried but we didn't end up trying them as J seemed so much happier in the bomber
It was £45 for the ridden consultation. Though it would have been less if more people on the yard has booked on too. That was just for my horse.
Last edited:
impresario08
Well-Known Member
for some reason I read this as horse fitbit and got really confused
sallyg
Well-Known Member
Haha me too!
Haphazardhacker
Well-Known Member
Had Carol out in December, was pretty short notice but managed to swing it with work (retail so never easy at Christmas) but I knew she wouldn't be in the area again for a year or so.
I am an inexperienced owner and have spent much money trialling bits and her advice was invaluable. She spent ages with us and advised which bit to try and she offers an aftercare service. She is incredibly hard working and lives on the road with her beloved dog.
Will be looking at getting her back next time she is in the area for a review. My mare loves her new bit. Her services are very good value, I even told her she should charge a bit more as compared to my horses physio or saddle fitter, she is pricing herself too cheaply.
I am an inexperienced owner and have spent much money trialling bits and her advice was invaluable. She spent ages with us and advised which bit to try and she offers an aftercare service. She is incredibly hard working and lives on the road with her beloved dog.
Will be looking at getting her back next time she is in the area for a review. My mare loves her new bit. Her services are very good value, I even told her she should charge a bit more as compared to my horses physio or saddle fitter, she is pricing herself too cheaply.