The Springfield Saddler

20/02/2026

Bitting has come a long way from the days of the French Link and Dr Bristol. There are now so many more options for your horse. But which one to go for? They all work in slightly different ways. This is where I can help. I carry many types of double jointed bit for you to try and you, me and your horse can explore which is the most comfortable.

16/02/2026

A visit to this young lady recently. Her owner has been working hard not only on her own riding, but also on helping her horse control their own body, by enabling her to be physically strong enough to carry herself, and mentally strong enough to be able to cope better with her own anxieties. I was there to check that bit and bridle were the best set up for her, especially as her owner wanted to move away from the full cheek but wanted to check the mouthpiece was still the right one. Her own traditional snaffle bridle suited her just fine as did her bit. We tried an anatomical bridle but it made no improvement. A lovely young horse, settled in her mouth and head and already looking well balanced in her ridden work. Great to see 😃

02/02/2026

Bit & bridle fit go hand in hand with training of both horse and rider. A horse that is comfortable in its head and mouth will be able to move better, balance better, and have less tension in mind and body. Signs of an uncomfortable horse include overbending, head tilt and nose poking.

A really thought provoking reminder from Tim Downes FBHS on how closely a horse’s vision, balance and confidence are linked to the way we train.

A horse needs freedom of the head and neck to assess risk, understand the environment and maintain balance, particularly early in training. Restriction too soon can create tension, insecurity or defensive behaviours, not because the horse is unwilling, but because it cannot see, assess or organise its body effectively.

Correct training builds trust first. Trust that the rider is doing the risk assessment. Trust that the horse can stretch, look and rebalance when needed. From that trust comes confidence, relaxation and the ability to carry a consistent frame without fear or tension.

A valuable reminder that posture is not just about shape, but about perception, balance and understanding the world around them.

Shared with thanks to Tim Downes FBHS.

British Horse Society Ingestre Stables

27/01/2026

I'm in the Edinburgh area on Tuesday 3rd February and have a space available at around 12 noon if anyone is interested. Pm or email (springfieldsaddler@gmail.com) if you'd like to book a slot.

18/01/2026

In the talks I give, I often think I'm doing myself out of a job and this article below sums up the message I try to put across.

I would add to the meme though. Hardware can't replace good training and good riding and a physically and mentally healthy horse.

I can be one part of the puzzle solving team, ensuring your horse is as comfortable as possible in their bit and bridle. A comfortable horse is a happy learning horse.

Bit & Bridle Fitting: Let’s Be Honest

Bit and bridle fitting is not about finding a magic bit that suddenly turns your horse into Valegro‼️

No bit, however anatomical, ergonomic, or expensive can replace correct, sympathetic, systematic schooling. Equipment should support training, not disguise its absence.

A well-fitted bit and bridle should:
✳️ Respect the horse’s individual oral, poll, and facial anatomy
✳️ Suit the chosen discipline and its demands
✳️ Match the horse’s stage of training and understanding
✳️ Allow clear, consistent, fair communication between horse and rider
✳️ Minimise unnecessary pressure and avoid restriction

What it cannot do is:
❌ Create balance, straightness, or self-carriage that hasn’t been developed
❌ Teach lateral work, transitions, or connection
❌ Override tension created elsewhere in the body
❌ Compensate for rider asymmetry or inconsistent aids

When a horse feels uncomfortable, resistant, or difficult in the contact, the bit is often blamed first. Sometimes that is absolutely valid, poor fit can create pain, restriction, tongue pressure, bar trauma, or poll tension. These issues must be addressed.

However, changing bits without addressing the bigger picture often leads to an endless cycle of swapping hardware while the underlying problem remains untouched.

True bit and bridle fitting considers:
✅ The mouth, teeth, tongue, bars, lips, and palate
✅ The bridle’s effect on the poll, temporomandibular joint, and facial nerves
✅ The horse’s posture, balance, and way of going
✅ The rider’s hands, position, and influence
✅ The quality of the basic schooling

Good fitting removes physical barriers so the horse can learn. It does not fast-track progress, manufacture collection, or bypass correct training principles‼️

If the basics aren’t there, they aren’t there, and no bit will change that……

Fit to the horse ✅
Fit to the discipline ✅
Fit to the level of training ✅

Then build the foundations properly 👍🏻

Meadowbrook Equine Therapy

18/01/2026

Another great day yesterday, spending time with Hannah from Inspired Equine, Julia ( Julia Duncan Grounded Horsemanship) and Jessica (Jessica Pryor Horsemanship) all Intelligent Horsemanship trainers, and a super bunch of like minded and interesting people. Thank you so much for the invite to speak and take part.

09/01/2026

A big welcome to all my new followers and a bit of a belated Happy New Year to all my existing followers. It's been an icy start to the year but I'm involved in a couple of events to get us all going.

Bridge The Barn day tomorrow bringing equine professionals, owners and riders together to talk collaboration for the greater good of the horse.

Then next Saturday I've been asked by Inspired Equine to talk about bridle fit at their Intelligent Horsemanship January workshop.

Loving the chance to learn from and work with other professionals.

22/12/2025

Signing off for another year until January 5th. Thank you for your support over the last 12 months. Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and look forward to seeing you and your lovely horses in 2026.