Rookery Bit and Bridle Fitting

03/07/2025

🐴 Loose Ring vs Fixed Ring Bits – What’s the Difference & When Do We Use Them? 🐴

One of the most common questions we get during fittings is “Should I be using a loose ring or a fixed ring bit?"

Let’s break it down!

⭕️ Loose Ring Bits ⭕️

These allow the mouthpiece to move independently of the rings. This encourages a softer, more mobile contact, which can help horses who tend to lean or get heavy in the hand. They promote relaxation and chewing but can sometimes be a bit “busy” for more sensitive or green horses.

✅ We often recommend loose rings for ✅

• Horses who need encouragement to soften through the jaw

• Riders working on refining their contact

• Experienced horses who prefer mobility in the bit

⭕️ Fixed Ring Bits ⭕️

These offer a more stable connection between the bit and the bridle, giving the horse a consistent feel. Ideal for sensitive-mouthed horses or those just starting out, as they create clearer boundaries without too much movement.

✅ Fixed rings are great for ✅

• Young or green horses learning about contact

• Horses who dislike movement in the bit

• Riders wanting steadier rein aids

As with any piece of tack, the right bit depends on the horse’s anatomy, training level, and your riding goals. That’s why proper fitting is key! Message us today to enquire about a consultation.

01/07/2025

🔍 Why Bridle Fit Matters: Understanding Facial Nerves 🐴

A horse’s face is covered with sensitive nerves and the way your bridle fits can make a huge difference to your horse’s comfort and behaviour.

💥 Supraorbital Nerve– sits just above the eye; crucial for sensation in the upper face. Pressure here can cause headshaking or aversion to touch.

💥 Zygomatic Nerve– runs near the cheekbone; affects facial muscles and expressions. Tight browbands or cheekpieces can cause discomfort and muscle tension.

💥 Buccal Nerve– passes through the mid-face, controlling parts of the lips and muzzle. Poor noseband placement can press on this nerve, affecting bit contact and soft feel.

A poorly fitted bridle can pinch, compress, or numb these areas, leading to-
⚡️ Head tossing
😣 Resistance or evasion
😤 Behavioural issues under saddle

✅ A correctly fitted bridle avoids key pressure points, supporting your horse’s comfort, communication, and willingness to work.

28/06/2025

🧭 A Brief History of Bit & Bridle Fitting 🐴

Bit and bridle use dates back over 5,000 years, with early horsemen in Mesopotamia using rope and rawhide to guide their mounts. By the Bronze Age, metal bits had emerged—and with them, more refined (and sometimes harsher) control.

One key development? The Corinthian bit (pictured)- used by ancient Greeks and Romans. It featured long shanks and harsh mouthpieces designed for warhorses, prioritizing obedience in high-stress situations… not comfort. Pretty barbaric, right?

For centuries, bit and bridle design focused on control over welfare.
But today, we know better. With advances in biomechanics and anatomy, we now fit for comfort, freedom of movement, and clear communication, protecting vital areas like the TMJ, poll, and facial nerves.

Modern fitting is about connection, not domination.

26/06/2025

🧠 BRIDLE FIT & THE TMJ JOINT 🐴 | Why It Matters More Than You Think

Did you know your horse’s bridle fit can directly impact the TMJ (temporomandibular joint)- a critical joint for chewing, balance, and communication?
This is an area I check during a consultation when I conduct the facial analysis segment.

When a bridle applies excess pressure near the TMJ or fits too tightly around the poll and cheeks, it can lead to:
🔹 Head tossing
🔹 Resistance to the bit
🔹 Unexplained tension or anxiety
🔹 Asymmetrical movement

When noseband or cheekpiece buckles sit too close to the TMJ (jaw joint), they can create pressure and restriction leading to tension, head tossing, and poor bit acceptance.

A well-fitted bridle keeps buckles clear of sensitive areas. This allows the TMJ to move freely, reducing discomfort and promoting better performance, relaxation, and connection.

📍Book your fitting today- because comfort starts at the head.

24/06/2025

I’ve had a lovely day doing lots of fit checks at the KT Equine camp at Somerford 🐴

I met lots of lovely horses and their owners, and hopefully everybody has come away having learned a little more about how to fit and with happy, comfortable horses 🙌🏼

09/06/2025

Thought i’d share this picture of my golden girl, Claire, and her bit and bridle set up as I am often asked what I use on my own horses 🦄

Claire wears the Bombers Blue Bits UK Elliptical Eggbutt in size 125mm and Henry James Saddlery cavasson bridle with a custom swarovski browband option ✨

Note when looking at correct fit of the bit and bridle, some key points are-

- Comfortable headpiece suited to the shape of the poll and ears
- Browband not too tight to pull headpiece forward, but equally not too large to become distracting to the horse
- Buckles in line with corner of the eye to avoid bulk over the sensitive TMJ joint
- Noseband fitted 1-2 fingers width below facial crest
- Noseband fitted with two fingers width on the nasal bone (a well fitted cavasson should serve no function at all!) to avoid pressure on facial nerves, nasal bone and cheek tissue
- Bit fitted comfortably to suit the horse, irrelevant of number of wrinkles. Bit should fit comfortably into a palatine groove, avoid contact with t**h and be suitable for the conformation on the mouth
- Bit size should reflect the bit used- fixed cheek bits are often fitted 1/4-1/2” smaller than a loose rings and curvature of the mouthpiece should be considered

07/06/2025

Did you know we are a stockist of Myler Bits?

Myler are one of the market leaders in terms of bitting solutions for horse and ponies requiring tongue relief. The range has been developed over many years into the Myler systems with graduated levels of tongue relief.

We have a number of Myler bits on hand available for trial during consultations or purchase!

06/06/2025

Happy Friday everyone! Let’s talk bit materials 🔬

Have you ever considered what material bit you use on your horse and the possible effects it may have? With so many options, we’ll give you a quick run through of the key points of each-

🔴 Stainless Steel- Most commonly seen material. It is cheap, tasteless and durable, but can often be cold in the horses mouth, particularly in the winter months.

⚪️ Copper Alloy- Slightly warmer in the horse’s mouth compared to stainless steel, designed to encourage relaxation and salivation. Has also been shown to have antibacterial properties.

🔵 Sweet Iron- Sweet to the taste and has a high carbon content, leading to oxidisation when it comes into contact with the horses saliva. Designed to rust and often creates quicker acceptance time and relaxation.

🟠 Nickel- Can bend and develop hard edges, found in many vintage bits.

🟤 Plastic- Encourages salivation due to texture and sometimes flavour, but is prone to chewing and sharp edges can harm sensitive oral tissue.

🟢 Rubber- Warm and soft in the horses mouth but often bulky and prone to chewing. Must be reinforced to prevent the horse chewing through entirely.

🟡 Titanium- Lightweight and durable, but often expensive. Also has hypoallergenic properties.

So what is the right choice? Well, that depends entirely on your horses preference!
Whilst materials can make the bit a more pleasant experience for your horse, it’s worth noting that the mouthpiece and cheeks are as important, so a balance must be sought where all three are suitable for your horses needs and oral conformation. Why not look at booking a consultation to try for yourself?

05/06/2025

Oh wow, what a surprise this was this evening! Thank you so much to my lovely clients for the nomination, very grateful and humbled to get to do this as a job 🤍

And thank you to Equestrian Business Awards for recognising Bit & Bridle Fitting as a category- a niche area that is becoming increasingly recognised for its importance, improving the lives and welfare of equines one bit and bridle at a time!

⭐FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT⭐

We’re proud to reveal the finalists for Bit/Bridle Fitter of the Year 2025!

These exceptional professionals are being recognised for their dedication to comfort, performance, and horse welfare through expert fitting and advice:

EvoEquine LTD
Equine Bitting Solutions
RSO Leather
Rookery Bit and Bridle Fitting

Your knowledge and care are making a real difference in the lives of horses and riders alike — congratulations!

A big thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and helped highlight the importance of correct bitting and bridle fit.

06/02/2025

Excited to announce we’re now stockists of the whole Neue Schule range!

We are able to order anything from their vast range of bits, as well as carrying a number of them during our fitting consultations for your horse to try 🐴

25/06/2024

Another day, another camp! Back fitting again at Somerford Park for KT Equine Camps 🐴

Lovely to meet so many different horse and rider combinations, advising on improvements to their existing tack! Always a pleasure 😊

15/04/2024

A very wet and windy day of bit and bridle checks at the KT Equine Camp at Somerford Park ☔️

Back here again fitting for the first of the Active Rider camps this Saturday, let’s hope the weather improves by then! 🤞🏼