A Bit Unique

09/07/2025

💠ATTENTION MARYBOROUGH EQUESTRIANS!!💠

A BIT UNIQUE bit fitting is coming your way on Tues 22-Thurs 24 JULY 2025.

Forget carrots!!!🥕🥕❌

What better way is there to show your horse how much you love them, just in time for their birthday on 1st August!!

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE so get in quick!!💥💥

Comment below or message me to express your interest.

17/06/2025

I’ve just spent a wonderful morning with Danielle Keogh Dressage fitting bits for two of her extremely talented horses.

One was a first double bridle fit and anyone would have thought that he had travelled in a double for years…it gave a whole new meaning to the saying…’like a duck to water!’🦆🦆

Then we went on to a snaffle fit for an exciting new prospect to Diamond View Park. This young mare had a light bulb 💡 moment when we found the best option for her!! It never gets old, seeing a horse suddenly gain confidence and trust that this ‘thing’ in their mouth isn’t to be feared!!😍

The only downside is that as usual, I forgot to take any photos so you’ll have to make do with one I took on my last visit to DVP!😉

10/06/2025

06/06/2025

🐎 Do you use a micklem or similar bridles?

Many people ask me about the 'micklem' or similar style of bridles that have an 'anatomical' shape.

First of all, I recognise that some horses 'go well' in these types of bridles, but i think that's a matter of opinion as it's likely that previous bridles have been so poorly fitted.

But here are some points about these bridles I'm sure you haven't previously thought about.

This is one of my clients I recently visited. They very kindly allowed me to demonstrate why I tend to find 9/10 micklem or similar bridles dont fit well or suit some horse's head shape.

With everything, the horse has to have the right head for the bridle. Not all bridles are a 'one style for all', much like our human clothing and horse rugs, etc.

So, on the left is an image of where the owner had fitted the bridle.
Points to make here
- The noseband is too low and presses on soft tissue of the nasal cavity and onto the fragile nasal bone
- The strap around the mouth, so many people say to me, 'it's not a flash'. No, it's a drop noseband. Especially fitted too low, which these often are, they act like a drop noseband, and you can over tighten them to forcefully close the mouth. The drop puts pressure onto the danger zone around the nasal areas! There's no arguing here. If people are inclined to do it up tight, this is what happens.
- The buckle is way too close to the TMJ and placed too high on the Trigeminal nerve before it branches and over the main nerve centre up there!

Photo 2 - I lifted it up on the cheek buckles (note that the throatlash strap is actually not done up and I am holding it back so it's not dangling as it was now too small to go around the horses jaw).
- The noseband is in a much better position on the nasal plane. However, the curve of the noseband is rubbing too close to the sharp cheek bones.
- The buckle is now riding the TMJ and the facial nerves
- The headpiece has become tighter to the poll and pressing into the poll, ear, and brow area.

Photo 3 I have dropped it so that the buckle is at eye level between where the Trigeminal Nerve branches. (Again, I'm holding the throatlash strap)
- The noseband is so low!
- The bit can not be lifted any higher in the mouth and is sitting very loosely. With the possibility of sawing in the mouth, hitting teeth, and being very uncomfortable for her.

Bless her she was so very patient with us while we faffed with her bridle.

It demonstrates why these bridles are very hard to adjust and position right on the majority of horses.

06/04/2025

** 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦**

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘

𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗲-𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗼𝗻, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿, 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆

Open Access (read without subscription): https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/1058


We believe this is the first study to quantify rein forces and bridle pressures in high-level horses (PSG and above) when wearing a double bridle compared with a snaffle, a significant step forward in advancing our understanding of the use and application of a double bridle.

We appreciate that this is a polarised topic, with many opinions and thoughts on the use and application of a double bridle. Two previous studies have reported the possible effects of a double bridle, but these studies used naïve horses and/or could not differentiate whether the observed effects were due to the double bridle or other factors like a noseband, therefore, the current study adds to the knowledge base. As with all our research, we aim to deliver high-quality research that can advance our understanding and influence decision-making.

We welcome discussion, however before commenting, please read the below limitations, which we have acknowledged in the manuscript.

🐴We studied high-level horses ridden by highly skilled riders regularly ridden in professionally fitted bridles. Therefore, future work is needed to determine if the same results apply to less experienced riders.

🐴We have reported curb rein forces and appreciate that these forces do not represent the intra-oral forces. As discussed throughout the manuscript, we have not measured oral pressures. At present, there is no validated method to measure oral pressure. Whilst some groups have produced estimates, it remains to be seen experimentally if these are valid.

🐴Horse behavioural elements have not been included as they are under review elsewhere.

While this study has limitations, it is the first to compare the double with the snaffle bridle, and it is hoped that it will provide a springboard for future studies in this area.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:
In this group of horses and riders very little differences were found in noseband forces between bridles. The greater weight of the double bridle applied higher minimal, maximal and mean occipital forces due to greater weight of bits and cheekpieces in the double bridle. Rein tension did not differ between the snaffle bit of the snaffle bridle and the summed forces of the bridoon and curb bits of the double bridle in walk/canter but were lower for the double bridle when in collected trot. The force applied to the curb was less than the bridoon, and forces on each bit of the double bridle were less than for the snaffle bridle.

All bridles should be professionally fitted. The double bridle should only be used by skilled riders and must not be used to cover up training issues. Riders need to take responsibility and discuss the use of a double bridle with experienced trainers and only use one if they are confident in how to use it, and the horse is appropriately trained and monitored throughout.

As always, a massive thank you to the research team, assistants, riders, owners and horses. And Hartpury University Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) for funding this project.


𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
The FEI did not fund this study.
The authors funded Open Access publication

01/04/2025

17/03/2025

💠 EXCITING NEWS!!💠

A Bit Unique 🩵🦄💜 is heading to South East Qld again in a couple of weeks’ time.

So if you missed out on my last trip in February, get in quick this time before the season gets into full swing!😃

My sponsored rider Harvey Besley and many other talented horse and rider combinations that I’ve had the privilege of fitting, head off to DWTS this week…wishing you all the best of luck!!👌👌(You’re all winners before you
start as far as I’m concerned!!).

We have planned this trip to hopefully help dressage horses and riders find their ultimate bitting solution before the prestigious Sydney CDI.✨✨

But we are equally capable of helping riders from all disciplines, from Showjumping to Polocrosse and more!!

I’m constantly adding to my collection of bits to trial and carry most of the popular, quality brands, such as
Sprenger, Neue Schule, Myler, Bombers, Fager, Trust.

Areas covered include Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and surrounds, Gold Coast and hopefully some inland (Nanango) appointments for my regional clients.

Send me a PM if you’re keen to be involved because spaces are filling fast!!😁

10/01/2025

❇️❇️Did you know that a correctly fitted and shaped bit is just as important as a correctly fitted saddle??❇️❇️
It’s not just about suggesting the right size and positioning it properly…horses have uniquely shaped mouths and individual pressure preferences so they need a bit that is perfect for each of them. 😇 And what one horse loves, 🥰 another horse loathes!😖
Part of this trip will be spent at
with my sponsored riders Harvey Besley and Tamicca Clottu. Please contact me for more info.

31/12/2024

Looking forward to new beginnings in 2025!!

23/12/2024

Wishing all my clients past, present and future, a magical Christmas🎄🎄….along with their happy, healthy horses!🐴 🥕🥕

26/11/2024

🦷The best bitting advice we know? 🦷

Get your horse’s teeth checked regularly by a qualified dentist! There’s not a bit or a noseband on this planet that will be effective for your horse if they have sharp edges, broken teeth or other dental issues, so make sure you pop a dentist visit in your calendar every six months.