Flying Hooves - Equine Massage, Bit & Bridle Fitting

16/02/2026

This is the very pretty Dolly who said “Yes, to the bit” last week! 😍

Dolly chose an Expert Bits Comfy Barrel mouthpiece on a hanging cheek 💜

She was in a Vetawan lozenge eggbutt, which is quite a thick bit compared to the barrel, couple that with her small mouth and it wasn’t leaving her much room for manoeuvre in there.

Dolly rode head high and wouldn’t work into the contact. She was foaming at the mouth and chomping on the bit. After a while she would sn**ch her head down and then start leaning on the bit.

The hanging cheek suspends the bit in her mouth, offering her tongue and bar relief and removing her responsibility for constantly placing the bit. Add the easy roller action so Dolly could move her tongue back to swallow and the thinner mouthpiece to give her more room, Dolly was able to drop into the contact, and stopped foaming and chomping at the bit 🙌

Downside, she will get tired quicker as this has dramatically altered her way of moving but, upside, this will help unlock her top line through her back and hind, which was consistently tight during her bodywork sessions from that high head position not allowing her spine to flex.

Before and after photo shows, top, the upward carriage in Dolly’s old bit and, bottom, a more level carriage in the new bit.

There is a lot more I could say on the topic of head carriage but, for the moment, let’s focus on Dolly and wish her all the best in her new bit!

💖 Sarah

Drop me a DM if you want to give your horse a chance to have a say and say “Yes to the bit!”

13/02/2026

Busy day today out treating and fitting! And someone gets their new Henry James Saddlery bridle today 😍

12/02/2026

Few updates to availability 🥰

11/02/2026

Ahhh… if only you knew a bit & bridle fitter, you could nominate them 🙄

Seriously, if your, and your horse of course, have said “Yes to the bit” and been super happy with my bit fitting consults, a nomination or two would mean the world! 🥰

💖 Sarah 😘

Nominations Open for Bit / Bridle Fitter of the Year

Correct bitting and bridle fit can have a huge impact on a horse’s comfort, communication, and overall way of going. The best bit and bridle fitters take the time to assess the whole picture, the horse’s mouth, head shape, way of going, and the rider’s needs, always with welfare at the centre of their work.

This award is about recognising knowledgeable, skilled professionals who fit with care and integrity. The independent fitters and specialists who explain their choices, avoid quick fixes, and prioritise comfort, clarity, and fairness for the horse. Supporting riders across different disciplines, bit and bridle fitters play an important role in improving understanding and partnership between horse and rider.

If you know a bit or bridle fitter you trust, someone who listens, educates, and genuinely puts the horse first, we’d love to hear about them.

Nominations are now open for Bit / Bridle Fitter of the Year.

👉 Please share this post, tag a bit or bridle fitter in the comments, and nominate them via our website.

11/02/2026

I've updated my price list to include a a small price increase and a couple of new services 😍

💖 Balance Pads - A Progressive Program
- a guided program of 4 visits where your horse will undergo a bodywork treatment followed by exercises using the balance pads. Great for rehab, strength building, proprioception, or learning something different. Comes with your very own set of balance pads! Vet approval may be required. PAYG options available.

💖 Comfort Check - static bit & bridle advice
- a static bit and bridle fitting. You will get a detailed assessment some bitting suggestions based on conformation and recommendations for improving your bridle fit. Perfect for youngsters, horses in rehab not yet being ridden or as an informational tool for your horse.

There has been a small increase to bodywork from March 1st but I am keeping the multi-horse yard discount and you can save by pre-booking 4 or more visits over the course of the year 😊

Look out for some upcoming posts showcasing more about each of my services!

💖 Sarah

10/02/2026

Got to catch up with the lovely Spike and his mum yesterday and to hear how well their last lesson went 😍 isn't he and his little AI counterpart very cute?

Their instructor said it was the best she had seen Spike move so early into the lesson and his mum said it was the best he had ever felt so early on into a lesson!

The change? Spike has been wearing leg wraps!

How does this help? The wraps keep his legs warmer, thereby helping warm the synovial fluid in the joints and keep it thinner. In the cold weather the synovial fluid thickens, making some horses appear stiffer and present a reduced range of movement.

During his last visit, his mum had been saying it takes a bit to get him going in the arena. We discussed wearing leg wraps to see if they would help and they really have! Well done Spike!

Is your horse presenting a reduced range of motion or stiffness? Let me know and this could be part of your answer!

NB - don't use leg wraps for turnout, unless specifically designed for the field, best kept to the stable.

💖 Sarah

09/02/2026

This will be different, Thursday 19th Feb 😊 Pony Clubbers Bit & Bridle Activity Afternoon at Raw Equine Equestrian Centre!

We have barrel racing, Bit and bridle clinic , owner your own pony and working equitation abd riding simulator this month please come join us all good fun xx

08/02/2026

I can honestly say I’ve never seen such a reaction to a release of tension running through the back muscle, the longissimus dorsi! 🤷‍♀️

I was just doing some preparatory myofascial release ready for deeper massage techniques and off she went. She didn’t try to walk away or evade me in any form, just lots of mouth mobility.

Interestingly, there was also tension in the TMJ and temporalis 🤔

The only other horse who pulls faces during his treatment is my Bobby 💜 (of course, bless him).

💖 Sarah

08/02/2026

It's that day of the week again! Here's my availability for the next 3 months 🥰

I've opened a few appointments up over Easter to help you out as I know some of you might have the Friday or Monday off 🐣 Deposits will be required to secure your slot but this will be deducted off your final invoice. Please contact me to discuss further.

🚘 The remaining slots for this month will need to be on my way to, from or around the places mentioned, due to time and driving constraints.

March is pretty straightforward at the moment but just one weekend date left. Talking of weekends, I've opened up a couple of Sundays in April as well 😍

Anyways, hope this helps and can't wait to see you and your ponios soon 😊

💖 Sarah

07/02/2026

📚 Other than playing around with ChatGPT what else is there to do on a rainy day when no one is home and the dogs are asleep? Catch up on some CPD with Wolds Equine Sports Massage Approved Courses!

"Optimising Professional Bodywork Through Owner Participation". Who wants some homework involving massage techniques and baseline exercises? There's workbooks I can share too for you to record your findings and your horse's response! Once again, Olivia has created a real thought provoking and useful CPD!

💖 Sarah

07/02/2026

Couldn't resist jumping on this bandwagon. According to ChatGPT this is me doing my job, just ask for "a caricature of me doing my job based off everything you know about me".
Now, if only I looked that clean, cute and serene rather than wet, bewildered and sporting my usual screwed up face of concentration 😂
Also, not sure why I have so many lotions? And a tool belt? But I like the look, might go to Screwfix later and invest 😂