Complete Equine Bit Fitting Solutions

Love my job!! (Just saying🫢) The places I go, the people I meet but most importantly the horses I get to fit!! Because horse mouths matter!

Thank you so much Ms Crystal Greenwood for inviting me to spend time with your awesome students and beautiful school horses! The program you run is a credit to you! Your students are lucky to have such a passionate and invested teacher.

Wow what a weekend of achievements for my sponsored rider Ashlee and her beautiful horse Jorji
Winning 🥇 High Point Novice Pony
And
Reserve Prelim Champion

At the Geraldton Combined Equestrian Centre’s 2026 Dressage Gala

Congratulations 🙌 Team!!

Interesting research on the single jointed month piece of a bit

🤔 single joints - are they as bad as we think?
So historically single joints have been branded as nasty bits but why?

We have been told they have 'nutcracker action' which we've been told means palate pressure and pinching.
New research has discovered that the single joint doesn't actually cause palate pressure as the bit rotates downwards under rein pressure and backwards rather than upwards into the palate.

But we still get an element of pinch - squeezing of the tongue and lower jaw.
This term nutcracker should in fact be applied to any jointed bit, single or double jointed as they both squeeze the jaw by default.

We assessed 4 different types of single jointed bits.
1st we tried a thick straight cannoned single joint and observed that it created a V shape around the tongue and depending where it is situated in the mouth, would squeeze the grass muscle.

2nd we tried a thinner straight cannon and observed the same as 1 but with it being narrower it showed more pressure than the thicker, makes sense - smaller surface area.

3rd is the Demi anky and saw that the joint scooped around the tongue giving a more rounded U shape but still quite narrow along the cannons.

4th was the Curved shape of a more anatomically shaped single joint. This is designed to create a wider U shape in the mouth to reduce the amount of squeeze. Though no matter where I placed the reins or how much pressure I applied to the reins I could only make a W shape. This actually caused the link to rotate into the tongue. Maybe this was due to the lack if lip support on the model but I found it an interesting find.
- further research needed with a live model to see what happens with the joint in a real horse's mouth.

Thought it was an interesting case study.

Wishing both my sponsored rides Ailey and Ashlee best of luck this weekend as they both compete at the Moora Horse Trials!
Dressage ticked off today with great results.
Fingers crossed for clear rounds on XC and SJ tomorrow 🤞🤞🙌🙌

One of my fellow fitters, Fiona Dearing has kindly allowed me to share her article. Link below

This is quite a common occurrence and I have definitely seen bits placed in the horses mouth incorrectly

Taken from Pony Club Australia

Are you putting your horse’s bit on the right way round? 🤔 With so many bit styles now available, it's easier than ever to find the right fit for your horse—but also easier to get bit orientation wrong. In this article by bitting specialist Fiona Dearing from Bit Right - Equine Bit Fitting, we learn just how common it is to see bits fitted upside down or back to front—even in horses regularly ridden, out competing, or attending Pony Club!

Incorrect bit placement can cause anything from mild discomfort to serious safety risks. Fiona explains how to spot directional markers on popular brands like Bombers Bits Australia, Neue Schule Ltd, and TRUST EQUESTRIAN—and offers a free guide to help you get it right every time.

It's practical, non-judgemental advice every rider should read.
Please click on the link below 👇 to see Fiona’s article on bit orientation

Essential Elements of Bitting - Bit Orientation.pdf

Something to ponder!

BOMBERS PHILOSOPHY

"PRESSURE = RESISTANCE"
"RESISTANCE = LACK OF CONTROL"

-Bomber Nell-



A horse is an animal of flight – it will never yield to pressure or pain, it will either move away from it or run away. To obtain control we need to remove the resistance. To remove the resistance, one must remove the pressure or distribute the pressure over a larger surface area.

What a great way to start the eventing season for 2026 with an incredible 4th Place …out of 31 riders for my sponsored rider, Ashlee and her amazing horse, Jorji!!
They competed at the Capel Pony Club CCI-s 2026 EVA 80 Junior coming in double clear for both their showjumping and cross country and a very impressive 31.4 on their dressage 👌🙌🤩

Looking forward for the rest of the season for Ashlee and Jorji
Good luck team!!