Webinar: Bridle fit - why getting it right is so important

We hear from Dr Rachel Murray on the importance of good bridle design and fit. Rachel talks us through some of the key anatomical points that we need to consider and will explain the issues that can be caused by a bridle that is unstable, or that puts too much pressure on the horse's head. She will also cover the improvements in performance that can be gained from optimising bridle fit. Rachel is joined by Di Fisher, Society of Master Saddlers Master Saddle Fitter and Bridle Fitter, on the panel to provide her experience and expertise on how to get bridle fit right and will also be able to answer any questions you may have on bridle design and fit. Regardless of whether you are a happy hacker, a top level eventer, or even a bitless rider, whether you ride a cob or a Warmblood, Rachel and Di were on hand to provide top tips that we can all use to assess our own bridles, and make sure that we are not inadvertently causing pain and discomfort to our horses through incorrect bridle fitting.
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[@phillippachristie4473]

I always find it interesting the reply on bitless bridles, the pressure on the tongue from the bit is not measured for comparison. Also, should we consider that the amount of rein tension used should be much lower for any bridles? As a specialist in bitless bridles (and someone who was asked the teach on the MS course) I believe that we need to assess both the riding and horse's ability to tolerate contact far more in relation to bitless and bits. I would love to see tests conducted with riders who can also ride bridleless, and so can maintain a smile in the rein (even in collection).

[@sintara8442]

Would be a great study indeed. I have ridden both with bits and bitless, and I think most horses don't really care either way to be honest. My own (ottb) doesn't respond well to pressure on her nose and prefers a bit, I ride her with a halter bridle so the noseband is really loose. Another horse at the barn (pre) is in sidepull just as light on the reigns as with a bit, we always ride her on the sidepull

[@domadoraracionalbelga]

At 10.03 min when the various studies are shown about bit related lesions, The danish study is co-listed in "inside cheek and lips" why? 3143 horses were included in this study however only the outer lips were investigated, the oral cavity was not. Almost all studies had different lesion grading systems, this alters the absolute numbers. The study by PHD Kati Tuomola wasn't included, when in Finland trotters and cross country over 80% of lesions were found. In Sweden over 88%.