Ruth Fisher- Bit and Bridle Fitting Consultant

12/07/2025

Anyone I have ever fitted for knows how much I talk about the tongue and how it's attached to the rest of the body.
Felt how horses change in their whole bodies when the right bit is found and sometimes rein action is rectified.
Bitting is about so much more than control... It's the gateway to the rest of the horse.

What if I told you that this picture showcased one of the best thoracic sling warm ups - ever?

The tongue has some pretty spectacular attachments that tie into the hyoid and connect down to -

1 - The sternum.

2. - The subscapular fascia.

The action of depression and retraction of the tongue (often evading the bit), causes these muscles to CONTRACT, which tightens the shoulders down, compressing nerve, blood and lymph flow AND pulls the sternum forward, which then puts pressure on the heart, diapghram and psoas!

(Also, horses that have a collapsed thoracic sling are often stuck in this cycle until it’s addressed).

The good news?

The opposite is true!

The action of elevating and lengthening of the tongue will lengthen these muscles, allowing the body easier access to shift their weight back and open through their chest to activate their thoracic sling.

So before asking for any kind of activation, this is a really safe and kind way to help get things flowing.

**Stay tuned for a free demo on how I ask for this.

“Before we ask a horse to do a movement, we must first try to be sure they have the access.”
Self-Study Nerve Release program is open for another 6 days ✨🌹

https://www.balancethroughmovementmethod.com/nerve-course

09/07/2025

Space available on this route Thursday 24th July

DM or WhatsApp 07377 165446 to book

08/07/2025

NOW FULL

Thursday 10th July

Space available on or near these routes.

DM or WhatsApp 07377 165446 to book in

30/06/2025

We live a world where we can order something and have it delivered in 20 minutes.. Don't get me wrong, I love Amazon Prime. I hate shopping,queues, and waiting.

But, the world is really coming to something where we are actually breeding horses who can be trained quicker to fulfil our needs as we don't have the time or patience to train them..

These horses will have the same speed of physical growth as all other horses. Their bodies taken too far too young, just they will be more "trainable".

For a long time, I've said we need to breed more of the opinionated, difficult, outspoken ones as that would produce better riders and sort out the ones who need to give it up..

But no, once again, humans, and their ego and greed win out while horses suffer..

Those who bring this about will never learn while there is so much money involved and I honestly start to wonder if banning horse sports will be the only way to curb this trend..

Which way for Dutch breeding?
“It’s the canter, the canter from the offspring of Vivaldi, especially from Expression, is very good and they have a very high level of rideability. For the future that is more important, the younger riders do not want to spend so much time, so we need to breed a horse that learns his exercises very easily and very quickly. Horses that do the work very quickly and in harmony, longer in the neck, light in the contact and very supple. That is the direction for the new generation.” Read more:
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2025/06/dutch-dressage-breeding-how-did-it-start/

29/06/2025

👩‍🔬🥼 I love the Science 🔬💫

The Science ❤️‍🔥

The electromagnetic field of a horses heart is 5 times stronger than a human heart.

Seeing our "SELF" through the heart of the horse ♥️

According to HeartMath Institute:

"....the heart is the most powerful generator of electromagnetic energy in the human body, producing the largest rhythmic electromagnetic field of any of the body's organs. The heart's electric field is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electrical activity generated by the brain. This field, measured in the form of electrocardiogram (ECG), can be detected anywhere on the surface of the body. Furthermore, the magneticfield produced by the heart is 5,000 times greater in strength than the field generated by the brain and can be detected a number of feet away from the body in all directions."

The electromagnetic field of the horse's heart is 5 times greater than ours, making their sensitivity to energies around them more acute, thus picking up the energy we are putting out. For example, our emotions carry different energies. The horses will feel these energies and respond to them, showing us what we are feeling, even when we are unaware ourself.

Interestingly, the horse's heart beats three times slower than ours. When our heart and body connect to this energy, we feel relief, a sense of well-being, and our bodies begin to heal, inviting us to slow down and experience what's going on inside of us.

23/06/2025

In the world of horse care, there’s a growing understanding that everything begins in the gut. From performance and behaviour to immunity and nutrient absorption, your horse’s digestive system plays a central role in how they feel and function. And at the core of this system is the gastric healt...

19/06/2025

NOW FULL

This Sunday. Space available on or around this route.

DM or WhatsApp 07377 165446 for more details

16/06/2025

Understanding Topline Development: A Foundation of Skilled Riding and Training

One of the most essential—yet often misunderstood—aspects of skilled riding and training is correct topline development.

A healthy topline isn't just about the horse looking “round.” It’s about the muscular and skeletal integrity that allows the horse to move in balance, lightness, and self-carriage.

The key muscles involved include the longissimus dorsi, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and abdominals. When developed correctly, these muscles support the spine, lift the back, and allow the horse to step under with the hind legs, creating propulsion and balance.

You can see the signs of correct topline development: a lifted, swinging back, a soft poll, nose in front of the vertical, lightness in the hand, and free, rhythmic gaits.

You can feel it too—there’s a buoyant connection, rather than one that is heavy, braced, or flat.

Unfortunately, many modern riding programs skip this foundation entirely.

Horses are pulled into a frame, ridden heavy on the forehand, and held together by the rider's hands instead of trained into self-carriage through correct biomechanics.

This not only causes training resistance, but long-term soundness issues and compromised welfare.

When riders and instructors don’t understand the biomechanics behind a horse’s frame, they may mistake tension for collection, and shape for substance.

True topline development takes patience, feel, and an educated eye—but it is the key to creating light, willing, and sound partners.

Let’s raise the bar.

Seek instructors who understand the body as deeply as the art.

Because every horse deserves to be ridden in a way that supports—not compromises—their long-term health and happiness.

Learn more about this topic when you become a part of the evolution towards better education, supported by evidence and research, on the care, welfare and training of horses and riders based on harmony.

Go to www.equitopiacenter.com and experience the benefits today.

16/06/2025

Isolation can also mean separation by field fencing...

Freedom to choose to play, interact, hang out and groom without restrictions, are all taken away by a fence..

When horses are denied regular contact with other horses, they can experience increased stress, which may manifest as restlessness, stereotypic behaviours (such as weaving or cribbing), and even health issues like digestive or musculoskeletal problems.

Social isolation has also been linked to heightened anxiety, learning difficulties, and a greater risk of injury, as horses deprived of companionship are more likely to become despondent or withdrawn.

Humans can offer comfort and support to horses during periods of social isolation, but cannot fully substitute for the social bonds horses form with other horses.

A recent (2025) study by Janczarek and colleagues examined this issue by measuring heart rate, heart rate variability, and behavioural responses in 12 horses during brief isolation periods.

The researchers found that even with attentive human support, horses still show physiological and behavioural signs of stress when isolated from other horses. Mares, in particular, remained stressed regardless of the type of human interaction.

Janczarek, I., Gazda, I., Barłowska, J., Kurnik, J., & Łuszczyński, J. (2025). Social Isolation of Horses vs. Support Provided by a Human. Animals

10/06/2025

Filled 😊

Last minute space on the route or nearby tomorrow morning. 11th June

WhatsApp 07377 165446 or DM to book

£80 a horse and takes around 90 mins