The Athletic Horse Bit and Bridle Fit Consultancy & Equine Bodywork

12/10/2025

“How lovely to see a horse coming into my clinic in a simple cavesson bridle and a snaffle bit”; said William Blaine when we had finished our lesson in his clinic the other week 😍, William doesn’t know what I do.

Bridle from EvoEquine LTD and bit from Horsemanship Saddlery UK Ltd. I am a qualified fitter for both (amongst other brands). This is my everyday bridle and bit which I use for everything and just goes to show, you don’t need to spend £’s and £’s for quality and comfort of fit.

03/10/2025

I have space along the below route on Wednesday 8th October for bit and bridle fitting.

I am a LANTRA qualfied bridle fitter; a LANTRA qualified INDEPENDENT bit and bridle fit consultant I 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.

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

www.theathletichorse.co.uk

30/09/2025

Sometimes the most beautiful of things are also the most simplest!

Toby modelling his Horsemanship lip relief snaffle which he has had for a while now with his new bespoke fitted bridle featuring a simple crystal browband.



18/09/2025

This really is a fabulous magazine for therapists and anyone interested in horse welfare and research. Great topical subjects and well worth the subscription. Next edition will feature an article I am writing on bit fit. I feel very fortunate and honoured to be invited to contribute to such a welfare based publication.

“It was never my intention to become a bit or bridle fitter but after spending time as a massage therapist and checking numerous clients bridles as part of my service, there was clearly a real need for somebody to go out there and help clients find a bridle that fitted their horses properly. I had seen too many unhappy and uncomfortable horses. I had seen too many owners literally assembling bridles around their horse's head because the bridle didn't fit or was uncomfortable and the horse had become 'naughty' to be bridled.”

Cheryl Reed discusses her journey into bridle fitting and shows you how these should be fitting. She talks about what she looks for in a bridle fitting and has extensive knowledge that we recommend to any horse owner/rider.

Available in issue 36, our newest issue and don’t worry - you can subscribe online and read this and all previous issues or you can do a full subscription and receive a hard copy of this issue too!

Subscribe here: https://animaltherapymedia.co.uk/collections/subscriptions

13/09/2025

So this was the exciting news which landed in my inbox on my birthday last month (of all days!). It published yesterday so I can now reveal.

I have subscribed even though I have been gifted a hard copy, as reading through this magazine it’s packed full of really good information & articles for therapists and horse owners alike.

I absolutely loved explaining bridle fit in simple detail, there is more to it than some would think. Featuring my beloved Hermione 😍; Marley 😍 and Beverly Fisher Rio 😍; who all made super models.

11/09/2025

1 million %!!
Often the most difficult part of my job is getting a horse to stand Square; whether that’s during a head assessment for a bit and bridle fit, or whether it’s for a static assessment for equine massage. If the horse is reluctant or finds it difficult to stand square, it often needs further exploration.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: While we tend to focus on how a horse moves to try to figure out how he feels, maybe we need to look more at how he stands. New research is exploring what a horse’s posture says about his health. Click the link the comments to learn what they've uncovered.

07/09/2025

Mmmm! I am particularly excited for this edition to be published.

We are so excited to announce that issue 36 is landing NEXT WEEK! If you’re subscribed, you’ll be able to access this fabulous issue online and will receive your hard copy really soon 🤩

If you’re not subscribed - now is the time to get in before the next issue is released!

https://animaltherapymedia.co.uk/collections/subscriptions

27/08/2025

Brilliant 2-day course at Moulton College as part of my Society of Master Saddlers qualification/ training in bridle fitting. So much learning and looking at bridle fit from a bridle makers perspective. Loved every second! Great to meet likeminded people and made some new friends. You NEVER stop learning and loving the journey 😍
The Society of Master Saddlers 👌

21/08/2025

Interesting. Makes total sense. Not something I do. I can’t imagine it would be comfortable for the rider either, nor do your phone much good.

𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧

While on a clinic some time ago, and again at a competition yesterday, I noticed a rider carrying their phone in their rear (right) pocket while riding.

This should be avoided at all levels.

Placing a phone in the rear pocket is likely too:

1) Significantly affect the function of the rider’s seat
2) Compromise the effectiveness of the rider’s seat aid
3) Induce/create rider asymmetry
4) Lead to uneven loading of the saddle and horse
5) Compromise rider-horse interaction

Although carrying a phone while riding can be useful for safety and other purposes (apps), alternative locations should be considered.

Image of a rider sitting on a pressure mat with their phone in their right back pocket.

Note: sharing as an observation. We have not shown this experimentally (yet).

20/08/2025

Just a handful of bridles fitted 😍, some with bit consultations and some without, some with nosebands and some without BUT one thing they all have in common. They fit! Headpieces chosen to suit poll confirmation and sufficient ear clearance. Taking bookings for September and a a couple of spots available if you are local to B62.