Testimonials

Informed Bitting Case Studies :

Ria Butcher & Golden Wonder ( Nov 2007)

Hello Hilary,

I don't know if you will remember me, but you came to fit a snaffle and a double bridle bit combo on my palomino gelding a few months ago? I'm just writing to say a big thank you as he has been doing so well in his training and was reserve champion in the Holt Farm championship in elementary 41. I am thrilled with him so thought I'd upload some pictures to show you how he has been doing.

Many thanks Ria Butcher & Golden Wonder

Pat and Oliver

Hi Hilary

We spoke about 6 weeks ago - I own Oliver the chestnut that Safaya Salter did the reading for and you recommended a Myler Eggbutt for him. He hasn't done much other than hack out recently as I have been trying to sort his list of physical problems, but I have started to do a little schooling with him and I wouldn't have believed changing his bit would have made such a difference - he is so much lighter in hand. I expected him to be softer through his neck after the work that has been done, but I can really feel a difference in him. We are currently only doing about 10 minutes trot work in the school as I feel he needs to re-build his muscles but he is starting to engage behind and come through much, much better than before, so just thought I would let you know and if you get up this way please come and see him

Many thanks Pat

Re: Brilliant Bit! 30.3.07

I bought my horse in August 2006. He was a 7 year old Eventer with 5 points who had done one double clear Intermediate but with big problems in the dressage - always last! I thought I had made a good job of re-bitting him but there was a niggling doubt that I could do something better as he was still rather too light in the hand even after 4 months and occasionally would throw his head up against the bit. However, I really didn't see how anything else could be better as I had tried so many bits and they were all much much worse! The new bit I was using had helped my horse to get 10 BHS Dressage points over the winter so I was not convinced that I needed to change anything.

I was rather sceptical about paying for a separate bit expert (on top of back people and saddle people etc etc) but it has turned out to be invaluable and has absolutely transformed my horse. In fact it is one of the best decisions I have made and I would do it again with a new horse every time.

The whole process was very easy. Hilary fitted into my rather exacting time pressures (as I have a full time job) and was very friendly and helpful and listened to all my concerns extremely patiently. She immediately identified the issues and clearly explained what she was going to do and how she was approaching the problem which I found extremely interesting and helpful. She discussed the different options with me and we tried two of them on the horse. They both had a positive effect, with the second one being a real eye opener. My horse had always been too quick and tense in the hand but this bit transformed his way of going and made him so much happier and more relaxed. Hilary even advised a narrower bit which I would never have thought of for a 17.1 TB.

The continued effect has been amazing - way beyond my expectations. Every time I ride my horse he visibly improves. He is now stretching down towards the bit, lengthening his neck and developing more rhythm in all his paces. He is much quieter and steadier in the mouth. As a result his balance has improved and his lateral work is coming on in leaps and bounds. My only wish is that I had asked Hilary to come and work her magic when I first bought my horse rather than sitting around thinking about it for 6 months!

All I can say is thank you.
Olivia

Sarah Weston and Petra

It was my own horse, Petra that led me to Informed Bitting. She has never been straightforward about anything and, true to form; she was very difficult to bit. I rode her bit-less for about three years but found that the brachioiphalicus muscle under her neck over-developed and that we could never really communicate through the reins. I then tried a range of bits but Petra hated them all and went into-pressure, plunging her head down in protest. Hilary fitted Petra with a Myler Combination with a low port mouthpiece and this has really transformed our relationship. Petra's head carriage is beautiful, I can ride her on the lightest of contacts and yet we are in constant communication.

This may be her favorite bit, but mine is the hanging cheek low port Myler comfort snaffle which is so readily accepted by many of the young ponies that I start. Delicate enough for little mouths, it has the benefit of sitting the mouthpiece up off the tongue and only coming into action when I am asking for something. This just reinforces the pressure and release system that I use throughout my training.

Sarah Weston, Equine Trainer and Recommended Associate for the Intelligent Horsemanship Association