"Understanding the Root Cause to Fine-Tune Communication."
- Equine Services -
A Holistic Approach to Equine Welfare
Any tack or equipment we use on a horse should be well made and fit comfortably. It is crucial for the rider’s aids to be precise and to allow the horse to respond without discomfort or pain.
Mentally, horses remain a highly social animal, one of flight, and can easily feel worried or threatened through what we do with them. We are responsible for their mental and physical wellbeing, and without seeing the world from their perspective, we can’t change things for the better. As a behaviourist and bitting specialist, my job is to underpin the root cause of any problems and understand why your horse has developed these behaviours.
Equine Behaviour Consultations
Many horses struggle in areas such as clipping, loading, breaking in, or separation anxiety. It is important not only to identify the root cause of any behaviour accurately but to find an ethical, evidence-based method of training that suits you and your horse.
During a consultation, I will visit your yard to spend time getting to know you both. We’ll discuss in depth what’s been happening and when it all started. From here, I will create a tailored behaviour modification plan. You’ll receive a personalised report, and we can arrange follow-up sessions to ensure the training is progressing comfortably.
Bitting & Lorinery Consultations
When considering what bit or bridle your horse needs, it’s important we take into account their individual preferences, physical conformation, and your goals as a rider.
I work with a range of horses and riders at varying levels, specialising in chronic contact evasions where an in-depth approach is required. Fine-tuning the subtle points of communication is incredibly rewarding, where a bit change can help encourage your horse to work differently through its body and progress to the next level in performance.
Common Indicators of a Bitting Issue
If your horse is displaying any of the following signs, they may be experiencing discomfort:
Mouth opening or visible ‘air space’
Grabbing the bit / pulling through the hands
Excessively chewing or mouthing the bit
Excessive salivation
Lifting the bit in the mouth
Repetitive flapping of the lips
Retracting the tongue up behind the bit
Tongue over the bit / protruding between lips
Straightness or steering issues
Repeated head tilting, shaking, or tossing
High head carriage / tucked behind the vertical
Contact evasion or resistance to aids
Frequent tail swishing
Unresponsive / too strong in the hand
Avoidance of being bridled
Rubs, sores, or splits around the mouth
Consultation Details
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A bitting issue isn’t always caused by the type of bit or bridle. Sometimes other issues contribute to your horse evading the contact. To get the most out of our session, it’s ideal your horse is up to date with:
Dentistry visits (ideally within the last 6–12 months)
Saddle fittings (ensure your fitter watched you ride)
Farriery
Musculoskeletal therapy or bodywork
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We start by taking a short case history and running through the pre-bitting checklist. We’ll discuss your bitting journey, what you’ve tried, and your goals.
I’ll check your horse’s head and mouth conformation, looking for any bit-related injuries before assessing your current tack. We then move to the ridden phase (walk, trot, and canter where possible) to observe how your horse responds to the aids and bit pressure. Based on this, I will select specific bits that offer a different feeling and pressure distribution. Bridle fitting is included if needed. A session usually takes around 1.5 hours per horse.
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Once we’ve decided on a suitable bit, you have the option to buy directly from me or I can advise on where to purchase. Bits purchased from me come with a 30-day trial. If it does not suit, it can be returned within 30 days (minus a £30 hire charge), provided there is no damage beyond normal teeth wear. New bridles must be ordered and cannot be returned unless unused with tags attached, or faulty.
Brands
I pride myself in carrying a vast selection of bits from different brands to offer you and your horse many options to try in a session.
Equine Services & Pricing
Behaviour Consultation:
Starting at £450
(2-4 hours, includes write-up, plan, professional liaisons, and ongoing email support)
Initial Bitting Consultation:
£95
(1.5-2 hours, includes bridle fitting)
Bridle & Bit Fitting (In-Hand):
£65
(1-1.5 hours, for unbacked or rehab horses)
Phone Consultations:
£80
(or £120 to include a summary report)
Behaviour Training Session:
£120
(1-2 hours)
Follow-Up Bitting Session:
£70
(1.5 hours)
Bridle & Bit Fitting (Non-Ridden):
£45
(45 mins - 1 hour, no ridden analysis)
(Note: Travel costs are additional and will be shared between clients on the day where possible. Please contact me with your postcode for a bespoke quote).
