Flying Hooves - Equine Massage, Bit & Bridle Fitting

06/09/2025

Yesterday, beautiful Jaffa took delivery of her Henry James Saddlery bridle 💖 doesn’t she look lovely in it?

I can’t thank the team at HJ enough, who went above and beyond to help with the reins!
(IYKYK 😜)

Jaffa chose a simple cavesson and the curved browband. Buckles rather than billets help her mum easily dismantle the bridle and clean it. Xtreme Eventer reins and a neck strap complete the look 😍

Jaffa has also chosen an ID Harmony Snaffle and is enjoying her new found freedom of movement and self carriage in it.

Wish I’d caught her yawning and relaxing into this!! ☺️

Happy riding adventures Jaffa and your mum xx

💖 Sarah

04/09/2025

Lots of classes and a dog show! X

02/09/2025

Two different colours but what’s the same?
Today’s clients were both amazing ♥️

02/09/2025

Subclavian release and a half 🤩

30/08/2025

I've just reached 500 followers! Thank you for continuing support. I could never have made it without each and every one of you. 🙏🤗🎉

30/08/2025

This looks very challenging! Test of straightness, bend and accuracy. This page is definitely worth a follow, they post some good exercise examples 😊

Training Tip Tuesday. This is a variation on the rings exercise from last week that will help to build impulsion and straightness. In this version, you will ride centerline halt, rein back 3-4 steps and then move off again before beginning the 10 meter volte. This exercise is extremely challenging because the walls are not there to keep the horse straight when traveling forward or backing. It is imperative that the rider keep the horse positioned between the aids. When completing the volte, the horse will need to be connected to the outside rein to prevent drifting through the outside shoulder. If you are performing this in trot, you should definitely notice the horse "sit" behind when asked to trot off after the rein back. In canter, you will notice a lifting of the forehand, as well.

29/08/2025

😂 who wants a laugh at my expense?! 😂

Rather chuffed that I managed to get my new Ariat Ascent top on this morning! Bought it months ago and it was was waaaay too tight, so yippee it fits 🥳, let’s wear it today… all day… while I’m working… all day… and driving…

It has this fancy mesh design at the back, see accompanying photo, cool eh?! 😎

Hmmm… it’s designed for maintaining a correct posture, in the saddle! It pulls your shoulders back and straightens your back… fantastic!! It works!! 🙌

Unless your work involves having your arms out in front of you… ALL day!!! 😮‍💨

I feel like I have gone 10 rounds 💪 my arms are aching like [insert swear word of your choice here] 😂

Highly recommend… for riding, not working 😂

29/08/2025

Genius!! Can I just mention that, although I use the Xtreme Eventer reins, this does not mean that I event! I absolutely do not and have no intention of ever doing so and I think that’s obvious because my Xtreme Eventer reins do not have the leather stoppers 😂 
The leather stoppers are obviously the key to being successful at eventing and jumping 😂 

28/08/2025

Arghhh… late night rant from 2 minutes of doom scrolling…

1 post asking about the fly twitch muscle… at least 3 people commented “ulcers” 🤦‍♀️

1 post asking whether their bridle fits… many experts recommending a certain number of lip wrinkles for the bit, headpiece too big / too small, noseband too big / too small / wrong type, buckles too low / too high…

1 post asking if their saddle looked ok… lots of experts again saying too long, too narrow, too high at the front, too low at the front, too high at the back, too low at the back, too deep, wrong girth 😵‍💫

Not one ☝️ person recommended seeking professional advice! Social media is absolutely incredibly awesome but it is not your vet, your saddle fitter, body worker, farrier, bridle fitter, bit fitter or your instructor etc.

Really?? C’mon people! Find your tribe, ask your pro’s! We all just want what’s best for your horses!

Rant over 🐎 👋

💖 Sarah

PS just to add, this doesn’t include my fabulous clients! I know you guys all have an army of professionals behind your horses 🐴 🥰

28/08/2025

🤩 Our newest member of the Flying Hooves family, Nelly, doing her best rocking horse stretch after her treatment yesterday.

Nelly was very tight over her back and hind. After releasing everything she stood herself like this for some time.

Her lovely mum commented how much more freely she walked back to her field and how much easier she found turning at the gate 🥰

Welcome to the Flying Hooves family Nelly 😍

💖 Sarah

Wonder if we’ll get a rocking horse stretch today?! 🤔

27/08/2025

Raffles showing us his best rocking horse stance after releasing all through his thoracic sling and top line 🥰 happy boy indeed xx

Raffles is a mature gentleman who enjoys carriage driving and winning at his shows! 🏵️

💖 Sarah