Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters

We are out and about this weekend up in Scotland - if you are in the area please do drop by to say hello and have a chat about bit & bridle fitting.

Hope to see some of you at Fife Show this Saturday.

The Equine Fitters Council is a new directory of professional fitters the APBBF helped to support setting up.

Every year British Equestrian Trade Association recognise the highest standards and performance in the equestrian service and retail sectors.

The Equine Fitters Council are delighted to sponsor the ‘Equine Fitter of the Year’ award. If you have an outstanding saddle, bit, or bridle fitter please nominate them now:

https://forms.gle/Ezsy676PpimsHsjq5

British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)

We love seeing our team out and about! 🐴

Bit & Bridle Fitting - Pippa Kearns

We’d be inclined to agree!

Find your nearest APBBF member here: www.apbbf.org/the-team

A reminder to make sure your horse is fit and ready to take the spring season by storm!

There are lots of different equine experts we can turn to for help, and there's no better time to get our horses a check up than spring. As the seasons change and you start to up your horse's workload, it's important to make sure all his tack and equipment is well-fitting, his health and condition is top-notch and that he's eating a balanced diet.

Book your horse's MOT this spring!

Did we miss anyone off this list? Let us know which professionals you employ for your horse and why!

Great presentation by our Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling at the Horses Inside Out Conference with the wonderful Gillian Higgins 🤩

Day 2 🤩

So excited to be showcasing at the Horses Inside Out Conference 🤩

Do drop by and say hello if you're here. Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling and Bit & Bridle Fitting - Pippa Kearns are more than happy to answer any questions you may have 🙂

We’re looking forwards to seeing you all- photos of stand tbc so you know where to find us! 🐴

🚨Big News!🚨

The Horses Inside Out annual conference is back again on 18th and 19th February 2023. The topic is 'Upwards and Onwards' and we are really pleased that our very own director, Dr James Cooling, will be joining the line up of world leading professionals who have agreed to present: Forward to the Bit - creating confident communication

In addition to thought provoking and inspirational talks at this conference, there will be an anatomy exhibition, scientific poster area and presentation zone where the Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters will be on hand to answer your questions. Are you planning to join us? 🐴

There is an early bird discount on the virtual and in person tickets where you can get up to £80 off the full price! This offer is only available up until 31st October.

For more info see here: www.horsesinsideout.com

For more info on the APBBF, see here: www.APBBF.org

Who else is giving their ponies extra kisses today?

Happy Valentines Day all! ♥️

www.apbbf.org

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! 💛🐴💛

Who’s going to the Horses Inside Out conference?

One of our wonderful Directors, Dr James Cooling, will be presenting on ‘Forward to the bit- creating confident communication’ and we are so excited!

APBBF will have a stand there so if you have any questions, there will be someone to have a chat to. If it’s general bit/ bridle fitting queries, questions about our consultant areas or you just want to know a little bit about how we work- we would love to see you! 🐴

www.apbbf.org
www.horsesinsideout.com

Meet the team! Our series on APBBF’s directors and members.

The wonderful Jane Cumberlidge covers our Scottish areas. Jane specialises in having an eye for a well fitting saddle, rider postural assessments and hoof care lameness rehabilitation.

To contact Jane, contact her through her page Bit and Bridle Fitting Consultant Jane Cumberlidge.

For more information, or for consultants covering other areas, please see here:

www.APBBF.org

Meet the team!

Many of you will have heard of the brilliant Dr James Cooling, who has been featured in various magazines and publications on his expertise in bit and bridle fitting.
James covers Yorkshire/ Lincolnshire and is available through his page ‘Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling’
James will be speaking at the Horses Inside Out conference in February, so keep an eye out for tickets on what will be a fascinating talk 🐴

Further information can be found here:

www.APBBF.org

www.horsesinsideout.com

🚨Big News!🚨

The Horses Inside Out annual conference is back again on 18th and 19th February 2023. The topic is 'Upwards and Onwards' and we are really pleased that our very own director, Dr James Cooling, will be joining the line up of world leading professionals who have agreed to present: Forward to the Bit - creating confident communication

In addition to thought provoking and inspirational talks at this conference, there will be an anatomy exhibition, scientific poster area and presentation zone where the Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters will be on hand to answer your questions. Are you planning to join us? 🐴

There is an early bird discount on the virtual and in person tickets where you can get up to £80 off the full price! This offer is only available up until 31st October.

For more info see here: www.horsesinsideout.com

For more info on the APBBF, see here: www.APBBF.org

Fitting to each horse's individual anatomy is critical to ensure equine comfort and welfare.

For this reason, APBBF support the recent FEI proposal to make double bridles optional in international Grand Prix dressage.

Some horses have room for two bits in their mouth. For these horses, a correctly fitted double bridle used correctly for refinement only is acceptable.

Some horses, however, simply do not have room for two bits in their mouths. For these horses, enforcing the use of a double bridle compromises their comfort, welfare, and ability to perform.

In order to uphold the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse, riders should have freedom to choose a bridle set up that works for their individual horse's anatomy. APBBF agrees that double bridles should be made optional.

APBBF member fitters work to ensure that bits and bridles are comfortable for the horse. This ensures optimum welfare and facilitates communication and harmony between horse and rider.

www.apbbf.org

Successful day at Lincs Horse Live! 🐴

We loved speaking with everyone visiting our stand today and hoped you learned something useful at Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling’s talk 😄

Our team cover the UK and Ireland so it’s worth checking out your local consultant via www.apbbf.org

If you want to see more from James or speak to our team on the stand, we’ll be at the Horses Inside Out conference on the 19th February 2023.

All set up and we’re loving talking to all of you! 🐴 🛍

Pop over to our stand for info on how appointments work and how we can help (and we have chocolate going 🍫🤭).

One more sleep! 😃 Look forward to meeting you tomorrow at Lincs Horse Live

We’re at Lincs Horse Live this Sunday and we’d love to meet you! 🐎

Our very own Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling will be presenting and we have a stand where we can give you information on how our fitters are trained, how they can help your horse, and most importantly, how to find contact your local fitter!

We’ll be there all day so come and find us whilst you’re shopping for goodies 🛍

We’re at Lincs Horse Live this Sunday and we’d love to meet you! 🐎

Our very own Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling will be presenting and we have a stand where we can give you information on how our fitters are trained, how they can help your horse, and most importantly, how to find contact your local fitter!

We’ll be there all day so come and find us whilst you’re shopping for goodies 🛍

Check out this podcast interview with our own Bit & Bridle Fitting - Pippa Kearns.

To find your nearest independent bit and bridle fitter, head over to https://www.apbbf.org/the-team

It's out now! 😃
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5loirpKiXswBWUancRyr3a
Hope you enjoy!

Check out The Inside Rein podcast over on Spotify for lots of inspirational chats with equine professionals 💛🐴

You can learn more about the Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters over on the website https://www.apbbf.org/

And feel free to send me a message to [email protected] if you'd like to know more about my bit and bridle fitting services 🙂

A true horsewoman who contributed so much to the equestrian world 🤍

Another great article from one of our founding directors, Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling.
We are fortunate to have so many multi-talented people here at Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organisation.

If you would like help ensuring correct bit and bridle fit for your horse, check out apbbf.org/the-team to find your local independent APBBF bit & bridle fitter.

Our 'Meet a Member' for the Autumn edition of the IH Magazine is Dr Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling. James is a GP and a brilliant bit and bridle fitting consultant (actually excellent on saddles fitting too). He’s made a big difference to horses I know personally, I was in awe after reading this article. I've never known anyone study so much and be qualified as an expert in so many medical and equine specialities! He's coming to Hartsop Farm where he'll get to meet Blondie (Lucky James! 🤣) as I'd like his opinion on the best bit for her for next year. James and his lovely wife, Rosie, are based in the North East with horses and dogs.
You can find him at the Association of Bit & Bridle Fitters (setting the standard)
You can find details of our magazine in the link in bio

Check out this article in this month's Horse & Rider Magazine by Bit and Bridle Fit Consultant James Cooling, founding Director of the APBBF.

Fit issues with the "holy trifecta" (saddle, bit, and bridle) can cause a multitude of problems and can even contribute to problems with long-term soundness.

If you would like help ensuring correct bit and bridle fit for your horse, check out apbbf.org/the-team to find your local independent APBBF bit & bridle fitter.

The Association of Professional Bit & Bridle Fitters is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to optimising bit and bridle fit for horses. Correct fit is essential for your horse’s comfort, welfare, and performance.

All APBBF bit & bridle fitters are insured, independent of any brand or manufacturer, have undergone extensive practical training as well as CPD, and adhere to a strict code of ethics. With an APBBF fitter, you can be sure that you and your horse are in the best of hands.

To find your local APBBF fitter, visit apbbf.org/the-team

We couldn't agree more with this brilliant post by Eric Smiley. In fact, our fitters' tagline is "creating confident communication".

To find your nearest professional bit & bridle fitter, check out www.apbbf.org. All APBBF fitters are independent, LANTRA certified, have extensive practical training and experience, and subscribe to a strict code of conduct that puts equine welfare first, so you know your horse is in the best hands.

Product recall of Nathe bits - see link for details.
Please share with anyone who may be affected.

https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-recall-nathe-bits-for-horses-2205-0250

Product Recall: Nathe Bits for Horses (2205-0250) Product recall for Nathe Bits for Horses presenting a risk of injuries as the bit can break and cause the rider to lose control.

Very Interesting!!
One of our staff had the morning off yesterday, for a dental appointment.
When he returned, we all commented on how he was 'Shuffling along' and lame on the right leg. We asked him about it, but he said he felt fine - he couldn't detect any difference in his walk, though it was so obvious to all of us!

He then continued, complaining about his experience at the dentist. He had several fillings and had his mouth open for well over an hour. He said that he had asked them to stop, several times, so that he could close his mouth, as his jaw and back of his tongue hurt. The fillings were all on the right hand side, and this was the side of his jaw that had been frozen.

His Hyoid and TMJ had both been under severe strain for over an hour and it was THIS that had affected his legs, although he couldn't detect any difference!! And was the fact that it was the right hand side being frozen that made him temporarily lame on his right leg?
He is fine today.

When we say that you must never put tension on the Hyoid and TMJ, by using unsuitable bits/bridles/flashes, etc. as this affects the whole horse, including the hindquarters - or LEGS in the Human - we are not wrong!

It was a great training demo for our new assistant!

We are celebrating 1 year since founding APBBF! 🥳

There is exciting work going on behind the scenes at APBBF and we look forward to sharing more with you in time.

If you would like help with your horse's bit and/or bridle, then check out apbbf.org/the-team
Here you will find a list of LANTRA certified fitters who have met APBBF's stringent standards.
All APBBF members are insured, independent of any brand/manufacturer, and have undergone extensive practical training as well as CPD, and adhere to a strict code of ethics to ensure your horse gets the best service possible. With an APBBF fitter, you can be sure you are in good hands.

Here's to many more years of creating confident communication! 🍾🥂

Great news 🤩 We love it when one of our team is celebrated for their fantastic work (as so they should be!).

To find your local fitter, follow this link: www.APBBF.org/the-team

Lucky for us, super Vicki (on our board of Directors) has a 3D printer!

You might spot an APBBF member carrying one of these mini guys around to help with explaining anatomy- for instance, look how delicate the nasal bone is! 👀 🐴

To find your local fitter, search here: www.APBBF.org.uk/the-team

13.2.2022 Why do horses open their mouths during ridden exercise? - The Horse Physio - Sue Palmer A Guest Blog By Dr Sue Dyson There is on-going debate about noseband fit, particularly related to tightness. One of the reasons given by riders for the use of a noseband is to restrict mouth opening. Several questions arise from this. Do tight nosebands prevent mouth opening? Does this depend…

We 💚 seeing our clients out and about!

Congratulations to all those who have been competing at the Petplan Equine Area Festivals recently, and best of luck to those competing at Regionals in the following few weeks! 🐴

To find your nearest fitter and learn more about the effects of bit and bridle fitting on equine welfare and performance, search www.APBBF.org/the-team

Give your horse a bit of extra love today 💚

Our horses work so hard to please us, so why not consider booking a bit and bridle check to make sure they’re as comfortable as they can be?

Our members are advocates for the horse and thrive on helping your partnerships. Swipe for one of our Directors, Vicki, with her lovely horse Angel ❤️

To find your local fitter, visit www.APBBF.org/the-team

Did you know?

Our fitters are completely independent- this means we have a toolkit of a range of great bits to recommend, including brands like Neue Schule, Bomber, Shires, Sprenger and Horsemanship Saddlery ✨

To get in contact with your local fitter, click here: www.APBBF.org.uk/the-team