17/06/2026
Posts like this highlight why skilled, ethical fitting matters so much to horse comfort and performance. Real experiences like this help us all keep learning and improving welfare. Well done for sharing this Phillippa - https://www.equinefittersdirectory.org/directory/phillippa-christie/
If any of our Listed Fitters have had similar cases, weβd love you to share your insights too. Don't forget to tag us.
DOING A BIT BETTER,ππ
For nearly a decade, I firmly believed that bitless was the only truly ethical way forward. I was in deep. I researched, trialled bridles, helped manufacturers with designs, and taught everyday riders and professionals alike the positives of going bitless.
The reason was Teddy (in the photo). Growing up, I rode in whatever workedβa bosal, a snaffleβwe didn't use labels back then. But Teddy simply could not settle in a bit. He was uncomfortable, and listening to him set me on a path where I sought answers. But along the way, without realising it, my view became incredibly polarised.
I found myself in "bitless-only" circles where the absolute worst examples of bitted riding were shared as the norm. Years later, looking at the other side, I see bitted communities sharing the absolute worst examples of bitless riding to prove *their* point.
The turning point for me happened when I trained in bit fitting. Stepping into that world gave me a brand-new lens. I stopped looking at tack through an ideological filter and started looking at it through the lens of anatomy, biomechanics, and science.
And I realised something uncomfortable but necessary: The problem isnβt the tool. The problem is a lack of understanding.
Yes, some bits are inherently harsh.
Yes, a poorly fitted bit or a bit used with heavy hands causes immense pain.
But the exact same thing is true for bitless.
A poorly designed bitless bridle, or one that clashes with a horseβs facial anatomy, can cause severe, concentrated pressure on delicate bones, vessels, and nerves.
There are beautifully engineered bits, and there are beautifully engineered bitless bridles. Today, my philosophy is no longer about picking a side. Itβs about realising that the answer is neither one nor the other.
The answer is listening to the horse standing in front of you.
But letβs be completely honest: we live and ride in an imperfect world.
People are in completely different places with their understanding, and equestrian cultures vary wildly across the globe. On top of that, we have to navigate competition rules that are heavily influenced by politics, money, and rigid agendas. In many disciplines, these rules eliminate bitless options entirely, putting immense pressure on riders to comply if they want to participate.
Because of this, the "perfect" textbook solution isn't always accessible to everyone right now.
Sometimes, the answer is just about making things a bit better. When a rider is stuck between a strict rulebook and their horse's comfort, our job is to find the absolute best, most anatomically sympathetic bitted solution possible, while educating what we can, where we can.
It takes humility to look at a belief you held for ten years and say, Iβve learned more, and Iβve changed my mind."But my ultimate goal has never changed: to advocate for the horse.
Expanding my toolkit doesn't mean compromising my values; it just means I can meet riders where they are, navigate the real-world restrictions they face, and make life a bit better for every single horse I work with.
Now we see bridleless competitions in the UK and bitless is becoming the new thing, and there are great positives to this but I'm very conscious that we need to keep our focus on the horse and high welfare.
Iβm curious to hear from you allβhave you ever had to compromise on your ideal tack choice due to competition rules or lack of options? Letβs talk in the comments. π
