The Athletic Horse Bit and Bridle Fit Consultancy & Equine Bodywork

08/06/2026

I have rare weekend space along the below route on Saturday 13th June if anyone is interested in a bridle or bit consultation 🐴

I am a LANTRA qualfied bridle fitter; a LANTRA qualified Independent bit and bridle fit consultant carry many different brands of bits and bridles;

I hold a Neue Schule bitting science qualification and am a member of EAPER "Ethos Accredited Professionals Equine Register" & Society of Master Saddlers member.

I am also a member of IRVAP (Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists).

Please PM for more information / pricing please check out my website / reviews 😍. Thank you.

www.theathletichorse.co.uk

06/06/2026

New bit and bridle for Google today belonging to Jayne Cole. I have watched this young horse grow up over the past few years. I fitted his very first bridle and had the pleasure of fitting him a beautiful new bridle from EvoEquine LTD today. Google has always been in a snaffle but he now much fitter and stronger and when out in company more brakes are now required.

I have also used parts from 3 other manufacturers to get the perfect set up and fit. Thank you Google for being the most handsome boy and a model client 🥰 and of course his owner Jayne for trusting me.

03/06/2026

I never dreamt 4 years ago when I started this journey I would be asked to write a series of short articles for a magazine. You never know where life is going to take you! This was such an impromptu photo too, and yet it turned out to be one of my favourites.

This is a great magazine for therapists and anyone interested in animal well-being and welfare. I am now an addict!!

Here’s to a continued journey of learning and loving what I do and helping riders and horses be their best.

We have a lot of incredible articles within issue 38 including the Bit Fitting article by Cheryl Reed. We want to know what you love to read within the magazine? Is there an article you've gone back to? Something you've read that you've thought about since and would like to know more? ✨

02/06/2026

As always, Gillian clearly explains the relevance of good bridle fit; there is FAR more to it that people think. Your horse’s comfort and welfare relies on good fit. Your safety and communication benefits from the clarity a well fitted bridle offers.

To truly understand the anatomy behind bridle fit, we need to go much deeper into what's beneath the skin. In this article, Gillian Higgins explains that the head of the horse is not simply a place to attach pieces of tack. It's a sophisticated, interconnected system of bones, muscles, nerves, and f...

29/05/2026

🐴 Did you know how important facial nerves are when fitting bits & bridles?

Your horse’s head is packed with sensitive nerves — including the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V), and specifically its third branch plus the Mental nerve. These run through the jaw, mouth and lower face — exactly the areas where your bit and bridle make contact.

👉 That means correct fitting isn’t just about how it looks — it’s about protecting these nerves too. And rather like your saddle, you really shouldn’t wait until you have a ‘problem’ to resolve before you have your bridle or bit checked.

When the fit is correct:

✅ Your horse feels comfortable and safe
✅ There’s no unnecessary pressure or discomfort on sensitive nerve pathways
✅ Your communication becomes clearer and more respectful
✅ Welfare, comfort and performance improve

Every horse deserves to be comfortable, and proper fitting is kind to their anatomy as well as their mind.

Would you like to know more about what an appointment involves from one of their consultants?

https://apbbf.com/what-to-expect

📚 Educational resource from the Association of Professional Bit & Bridle Fitters — Copyright 2026

23/05/2026

Just a boy on his balance pads! Happy Bank Holiday Weekend and keep hydrated!

Ever wondered whether balance pads actually do anything? Read the article below.

For maximum instability go for 4 x pads on all for limbs;

Next go for pads on the forelimbs;

Least stability on the hinds.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949905425000246

21/05/2026

A question I am frequently asked is what happens during an appointment. So here is an outline, but it’s always fluid dependant on individual needs. You may wonder why my consultations can easily take up to 2 hours, well here is the reason why!

What can you expect during your appointment with an Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters fitter?

↘️We will discuss your horse’s history about your horse including health and ridden issues.

↘️A discussion of your needs, goals and expectations. To ensure we are both working to a mutual goal.

↘️An assessment of your horse's conformation and muscular development, which can tell a lot about how your horse uses his body. This is where it’s really useful to not only be a bit and bridle consultant, but a qualified bodyworker also.

↘️A thorough assessment of the conformation of your horse's head and mouth, which will help decide which bits and bridles may suit your horse.

↘️A review of your current bit and bridle with an explanation of how these may affect your horse.

↘️An assessment of your horse ridden in their current bit and bridle. Unless either is in appropriate or a poor fit.

↘️Trial of appropriate bits, bridles or bitless bridles with ongoing assessment of your horse's biomechanics and behaviour with each change made.

↘️At conclusion of the appointment, a written record of my findings my recommendations tailored for your individual horse will be provided.

Throughout this process, I will explain everything I do, and encourage questions. You will get out of your session as much as you contribute.

www.theathletichorse.co.uk

https://apbbf.com/

17/05/2026

You can’t beat a gentle giant who just loves his equine massage so much. I am so lucky I get to work with such lovely horses and clients 😍

14/05/2026

Thank you for the warm welcome 😍

🐴 Welcome Our Newest Approved Member: Cheryl Reed! 🐴
We are so excited to announce that Cheryl from Athletic Horse Bit and Bridle Fit Consultancy & Equine Bodywork has officially joined us as an Approved Member!

Based in North Worcestershire, she is a LANTRA Qualified Independent Advanced Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant with a real passion for equine welfare.

What makes Cheryl’s approach special is her background in physiology—she’s a Level 5 Equine Sports Massage Therapist and an IRVAP member. Whether she’s helping you find the perfect bit or transitioning you to a bitless setup, she uses her expert eye to ensure your horse is comfortable, balanced, and happy.

A lifelong rider, Cheryl has competed up to BD Medium level on her homebred mare, Hermione. These days, you’ll likely find her hacking through the Clent Hills or attending clinics with her Connemara cross, Marley.

Cheryl covers a huge area across the West Midlands and beyond, including:
📍 Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire. She is happy to travel further afield for clinics or group bookings of 5 or more!

👉 Check out Cheryl’s full professional profile here for more details and to book a consultation https://apbbf.com/member/cheryl-reed

13/05/2026

Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of working with professional rider Andrea Baliarda and her gorgeous Spanish mare, Ginesta.
Ginesta has a typical sensitive Spanish horse mouth but after trying a few different options we found a bit which made a real difference to her contact and her body.

Andrea rode Ginesta in such a beautiful, light contact and the pair were a delight to watch.

Andrea is based in Warwickshire and has an excellent CV having worked and trained with some of the very top names in dressage. She works with all sorts of riders and their horses, but particularly loves working with Spanish horses (well, being spanish herself that’s no surprise, plus she understand their language).

Please check out this very talented lady’s web site and also her page Dressage Andrea Baliarda.

https://www.dressageandreab.co.uk/about-andrea/