Bit Right - Equine Bit Fitting

03/01/2026

Q - Does a taller horse require a larger/wider bit?
A - Not always!

The most common bitting error I see is people with a horse over 16h using a 5.5" bit. Just because a horse is tall doesn't mean their mouth is wider. In fact, most of our modern sport horse types, TBs, STBs, WBs etc are quite fine from the facial crest down. Of course our heavy horse crosses can be a different story and due to their own confirmation being generally heavier we can often need a wider bit.

The main problem with having a bit that's too large in your horse's mouth is the communication can get fuzzy due to the movement of the mouthpiece of the bit over the sensitive tongue and bars (lower jaw). This much movement can also cause friction, rubbing and possible wounds both in the mouth and on the lips.

Just like your saddle fitting we need to take into account our horse's individual anatomy when we consider bit sizing and fit the horse, not the size of the horse.

01/01/2026

Introducing Bit Right Equine bit BUTTER!

Made from 100% natural ingredients including sublime shea butter, vitamin E oil, coconut oil, beeswax and the healing properties of Manuka honey.

These ingredients will soothe and protect your horses delicate lips without making them fragile and over saturated like vaseline can. The natural ingredients can help reduce rubbing and the magical antibacterial properties of Manuka honey and beeswax will assist with any small abrasions.

A generous 80gram container will last you a surprisingly long time, you can even use it yourself (just be aware it has no SPF qualities so inside use for people is best!).

These are just $35 + p&h and come in both Natural and Peppermint flavourings.

Message the page to order. Wholesale inquiries for stores or bit fitters are welcome.
*Unfortunately I'm unable to post these products to Western Australia.

27/12/2025

⭐️ January 2026 Schedule ⭐️

Bitting consults available for January, what better way to leap into the New Year with a bitting consult!

🐴 All areas listed cover surrounding areas or places on the way to/from near Ballarat. If an area's not listed contact me to see if I'm able to travel to you. I'm able to travel to most areas in Victoria with minimum numbers required if further away.

🐴 A fitting takes around an hour and is conducted one on one. For best result the horse is ridden but I'm also able to do standing fits and fittings for horses heading off to be started or currently not under saddle. A full written report is forwarded after your booking for your records.

🐴 Any questions, please just ask! I'm based in Gordon so am easily able to do areas nearby when dates may not be specifically listed for them. For bookings please message the page.

🐴 I do the hard work for you and find your chosen bit in stock from a reliable retailer!

23/12/2025

Wishing everyone a fabulous and safe Christmas! I'm incredibly grateful to all my clients for their support over the last twelve months. I can honestly say I enjoy spending time with each and every one of you.

I'll be working through the holiday season with bookings available for each of the dates below. The January schedule will be out just after Christmas so please contact me if you'd like me to come to your area.

Don't forget to give your horses a carrot for Christmas!

21/12/2025

A successful fitting for Chloe and her lovely new horse Foxy on Saturday. Foxy is a bigger mare for Chloe and has taken some liberties with her new younger and smaller rider in the turning department. Foxy has previously been bitted in a rubber pelham for her fast work which is an older style and very thick. Our first change into the lovely new Fager Andrea Pelham gave Chloe the clearer communication she needed so Foxy 'hear' her better. I didn't want to totally change the style of bit Foxy had previously been working well in, we just updated! Nor do I want to 'bit up' a new combination who need to continue to build their relationship and work through training gaps.

I'll include a photo in the comments of the old and the new bits so you can see how designs have changed.

19/12/2025

I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely combination recently. I'll admit to being pretty tempted to participate, it looks like super fun!

18/12/2025

Sooo...a while ago I wrote a post about how bad vaseline is for our horses mouths and it got me thinking. Could I make an all natural bit butter in my own kitchen? Since then I've been in the kitchen playing with different recipes and ingredients and have developed a good one!

Introducing Bit Right Equine bit BUTTER! Made from 100% natural ingredients including sublime shea butter, vitamin E oil, coconut oil, beeswax and the healing properties of Manuka honey.

These ingredients will soothe and protect your horses delicate lips without making them fragile and over saturated like vaseline can. The natural ingredients can help reduce rubbing and the magical antibacterial properties of Manuka honey will assist with any small abrasions.

A generous 80gram container will last you a surprisingly long time, you can even use it yourself (just be aware it has no SPF qualities so inside use for people is best!).

These are just $35 + p&h and come in both Natural and Peppermint flavourings.

Shoot me a message with your email and street address to order.

*Unfortunately I'm unable to post these products to Western Australia.

17/12/2025

A friend just sent me this image...I don't even know where to start!
The sad thing about it is that it's cheap, it will say all the right words, and some innocent horse owner who simply doesn't know will buy it. Worse, they'll put it on an unsuspecting horse.
Please, if you're ever unsure of what something is, what way it goes on, or if you should be using it, just send me a message. I'm more than happy to help!

15/12/2025

Fluke photo of Erin and Ziggy but also including the Christmas tree and Next Level Equestrian Vic signage all in the one shot!
I'm up at this beautiful indoor venue near Bendigo on Friday January 16th so take advantage of school holidays to come along and have a bit fitting!

06/12/2025

THIS!! I've had a post like this brewing for a while now and turns out this lovely person has written it for me!

A horse's only way of communicating is through their behaviour. If our response to that is to further silence them why should they continue to work for us.

Ditch the Flash Noseband🐴✨

Flash straps have become so normal that many riders never stop to ask why they’re using one. In every appointment, I remove the flash strap—and riders usually feel their horse go better straight away, without changing anything else.

When a horse opens their mouth, puts their tongue over the bit, or avoids the contact, it isn’t misbehaviour—it’s a reaction. A response to discomfort, unwanted pressure, or a bit that doesn’t suit their mouth conformation.

Strapping the mouth shut removes the horse’s ability to tell us something is wrong. A tight flash restricts natural jaw movement, creates tension from the poll right through to the hindquarters, and can even impact deeper breathing needed for athletic performance. It affects circulation, increases anxiety, and shuts down natural expression—especially when the horse is already trying to cope with discomfort.

It has now become increasingly difficult to even find a bridle that doesn’t include a strap designed to hold the mouth closed.

So what can you do?
Ditch the flash strap or any mouth-restricting noseband and focus on improving your connection with your horse. True progress is rooted in the relationship between horse and rider and supported by correct, comfortable tack that allows freedom—not restriction.

True harmony, cadence, and elevation don’t come from mechanical fixes or clamping the mouth shut. They come from a horse who can breathe freely, move naturally, and express themselves without fear of being silenced.

I only stock and fit cavesson bridles—simple, kind, and designed to let horses move, breathe, and feel comfortable in their work.

📲 WhatsApp 07457 404980

02/12/2025

Some more excellent research has been released around noseband tightness. I've had the opportunity to see the musculature of the head in dissections and it absolutely highlights the importance of both the two finger rule, and the correct placement/fitting of a noseband for both bitted and bitless bridles.

02/12/2025

***Shepparton / Benalla / Yarrawonga / Wangaratta / Cobram Bitting Consults available Tuesday 9 - Thursday 11 December***

Excuse the TERRIBLE outline on this image :) however these are the areas I'm able to cover over these dates.

A bitting consult takes around an hour and is best performed ridden. I've a huge range of bits available for you to try in the consult.

I'm also able to see people at Hilltop Horsemanship Pty Ltd. in Caniambo near Shepparton.

Shoot me a message for any further details and bookings.