The Springfield Saddler

20/08/2025

Quick trip to Redditch yesterday to meet up with fellow bit and bridle fitters. A chance to hear, first hand, about Sprenger bits followed by a tour of the Eilberg yard then to watch Michael try out a couple of bits. Many thanks to Zebra Products, Heiko from Sprenger and Michael for putting on a great day.

✨ What a fantastic day at our Sprenger Equestrian seminar!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Eilberg Dressage & Heiko for being such brilliant hosts 🥳🦓

15/08/2025

A cautionary tale. I have a couple of thoughts on the text. First is to request that you don't put the lunge line over the poll. You can inflict a lot of pain and potential damage to the poll area and the corners of the hore's mouth should things go wrong, as in this case. (That goes for using this method in lunging as well). If you must lead from the bit use a coupler or the reins. Better still good groundwork and training can help horses manage their own anxiety and become nice citizens on the ground so that coersive tactics are no longer required.

08/08/2025

Robin the 19hh Clydesdale wearing his new show bridle. Nothing off the peg fitted him well, so his lovely owner bought him a full, handstitched bespoke bridle. Nothing too heavy as he has a stunning head. Looking forward to seeing him in the ribbons next year.

16/07/2025

Wow! 1,000 followers and lots of new likes. Welcome to all who are new to this page and thank you for your supprt 😃. Photo of a hackamore delivered to a customer this week. Bitless is as valid an option as bitted and I can help you find the right type for you and your horse.

15/06/2025

Great evening with Tayside Dressage Group talking bridle fit. Good discussion at the end. I learnt things and hopefully the group did too. Thank you for the invite and the gingerbread😋, hope you stay a bit drier today 😃

10/06/2025

What a nice surprise to find in your email! Thank you to everyone who nominated me😃

02/06/2025

The workshop is taking a break this week so I'll be back to replying to messages from 10th June.

26/05/2025

I'm coming to the Aberdeen area on 27th June and have a couple of spaces available for bridle/bit fit if anyone is interested. PM with your email address if you are.

16/05/2025

Nominations are OPEN for the 2025 Equine Fitter of the Year Award! 🏆

🌟It’s time to nominate your favourite equine fitter for the BETA Equine Fitter of the Year Award - Deadline is 16/06/2025🌟

Give them the spotlight - Whether it’s saddles, bridles, bits or harnesses – if they’ve made a real difference, why not say thank you by nominating them? 💖

🔹 Open to ALL fitters, whether BETA members & non-members!
🔹 Recognise passion, skill & outstanding service.

👉 Nominate now & celebrate the best in the business! Thank you 🙏

Visit to nominate! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13jaXuS9B_aMOjgQLZhgM89b7N3aXlwtZaQ-yJ9OsqoE/viewform?edit_requested=true

Let's celebrate equine fitting excellence 🏆


British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)

02/05/2025

Final noseband blog of the week. Russell sums it all up very well. I am loving my bridle fitting days. Seeing the difference a well fitting bridle can make to a horse and the smile it brings to a rider's face is worth more than any finacial reward.

**𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞**

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 @ 𝟭𝟵:𝟬𝟬 𝗛𝗥𝗦 𝗕𝗦𝗧

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿??

While the noseband is an essential component of the bridle, it is not the only factor that affects comfort and performance. Other elements need to be considered:

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲: the headpiece should be fitted with the horse’s anatomy in mind, taking into account the space between the back of the ears and the sides of the atlas – the first cervical (neck) vertebra. Headpiece pressures are highest at the base of the ears and in the region of the TMJ. Anatomical headpiece designs are useful for reducing focal pressure; however, they must be fitted to the individual horse, with the horse’s conformation being considered. The headpiece should be shaped, padded and constructed using one piece of leather providing attachments to the cheek pieces and noseband on both the left and right side.

𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱: should be fitted so that a hand (palm down) can be admitted beneath it. A browband that is too small can pull the headpiece forward and cause localised pressures at the base of the ear.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: the buckles should be adjusted so that the buckle is in the middle hole of the cheek piece. This should align with the upper corner of the horse’s eye. A cheekpiece that is too long will mean that the buckles are too high and close to the areas that are sensitive to pressure.

𝗕𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: the cheekpiece should be adjusted to ensure that the bit is positioned within the horses mouth at the appropriate height. The bit should also be the correct width, mouthpiece size and type for the horse.

Whilst attention is given to the noseband, the entire bridle must be properly fitted to ensure the horse’s comfort is optimised and not compromised.

𝗙𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴:

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/bridles-how-to-choose-and-fit-them-correctly?srsltid=AfmBOorOGLfgrP_MimX8-AxVG_gIOLRm7mk8I4XoNuYvC-aw7RoAcyrK

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆:: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1j3gnKFGNo

01/05/2025

Nosebands No. 4.

** 𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞**

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿?

The type of noseband used should be discussed with a coach and professionals, and fitted by a qualified bridle fitter. Each noseband has a slightly different function depending on their design and if they have one or two bands encircling the mouth.

Due to the head anatomy, pressures beneath the cavesson, Swedish (crank) and flash nosebands are relatively higher on the lateral nasal bones and mandibles; therefore, noseband design is an important consideration.

The noseband should have padding on the upper (nasal bones) and lower (mandibles) parts of the noseband; it is essential to note that regardless of padding, the noseband must still be adjusted appropriately (looser or equal to 1.5 finger tightness).

The Swedish noseband has been referred to as a “crank”, due to its fastening mechanism and potential leverage effect. However, this type of noseband usually has padding under the mandibles, which may be missing on other designs. Interestingly, no differences were found in pressures for a cavesson, Swedish and flash noseband when adjusted to the same level of tightness.

As well as the additional padding over the mandibles with the Swedish noseband, the “D” ring connecting the noseband strap to the cheek piece can also be improve comfort, as this allows the noseband to remain positioned perpendicularly to the nasal bones. This provides a more uniform distribution of pressure compared to a cavesson noseband, which can cause a ridge of pressure on the upper or lower part of the noseband, depending on the position of the horse’s head and neck.

The pressures under a drop noseband are generally less than the cavesson noseband but the noseband is positioned lower on the horse’s nose, so it is important that it is fitted correctly to avoid constricting the nostrils. .

It is essential to always consult with a qualified bridle fitter to ensure optimal fit and function.

𝗙𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴::

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/bridles-how-to-choose-and-fit-them-correctly?srsltid=AfmBOorOGLfgrP_MimX8-AxVG_gIOLRm7mk8I4XoNuYvC-aw7RoAcyrK

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1j3gnKFGNo

30/04/2025

Nosebands No.3.

**𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞**

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵?

The simple answer is no, if the noseband is “correctly” fitted!

If the noseband is fitted correctly, the noseband pressures are of a magnitude that should not cause any pain or discomfort.

Noseband pressures are cyclical, meaning that within the stride cycle, they have a maximum and minimum value. The peaks and troughs are repeatable and occur during the early part of the stance phase. For a correctly fitted noseband, the magnitude of minimal pressure is low; it should be noted that pressure beneath the noseband only occurs when the horse pushes against it; at all other times, the pressures are close to zero.

If a noseband is fitted, or adjusted to mechanically restrict mouth movement, compressing the soft tissues, then the pressures will be high. As already discussed (Monday), this has no place in riding, training or competing, but this differs considerably to a “correctly” fitted noseband.

𝗙𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴:

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/bridles-how-to-choose-and-fit-them-correctly?srsltid=AfmBOorOGLfgrP_MimX8-AxVG_gIOLRm7mk8I4XoNuYvC-aw7RoAcyrK

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1j3gnKFGNo