Bitting clinic experiences?

[LilyandBaron]

I went to a bitting clinic today, admittedly skeptical but open to trying. I think saddle fitting is wonderful but can also be a scam in which someone is pushing their wares, so kind of that level of mistrust. Didn’t find any threads on this topic, but lots of “help me pick a bit” threads, including some I started! I started with my 17 year old TB mare who can be fussy about contact - TB, mare, and I started her as a hunter. Went through a few bits and she was more even/steady in turns in the best bit. So helpful but not earth shattering.

Then I brought out the STB I bought as a gaited husband horse project who is now my dressage project;). I’ve tried all kinds of bits and even went bitless! I described his issues and the rep picked one bit, I got on and repeated the pattern I rode in the bit I came with, and OMG!!! Un-freaking-believable difference! This horse paces when he loses balance/focus. Also tried getting his tongue over some bits. And ran through any form of halt/half halt. But in seconds, he halted as soon as I paused my seat/stopped following! He had clean trot to walk transitions with no pace!!! He kept the trot through a turn! I literally had chills I was so shocked and excited!!!

Any other experiences with bit fitting clinics? Is this the new saddle fitting? It’s honestly less expensive than trying a gazillion bits, and lessons wasted trying to fix what was an equipment issue!

[Toblersmom]

Out of curiosity, what was the magic bit?

I’d love to try a bit fitting clinic. Just changing between slightly different snaffles made a big difference for us, and it would be interesting to see whether a pro would have any other thoughts.

[KBC]

I’d like to know the magic bit as well, and the logic used in choosing that one? Did everyone had similar experiences?

[LilyandBaron]

For the Standardbred, the Neue Schule Verbindend. Relief for his tongue but pressure on the bars. The clinician did note as he progresses, he may advance beyond that bit, but for now, it was amazing. I was glad she also noted she knows other bits - I had Sprenger KK ultra on him, novocontact on mare, and a willingness to provide advice on other bits. I could see doing the clinic then trying similar designs in various brands?

[LilyandBaron]

@KBC

I’d like to know the magic bit as well, and the logic used in choosing that one? Did everyone had similar experiences?

I watched three other pairs and everyone saw improvements but I felt like my weirdo was the most dramatic. It may not have looked that way though. But I could see what happened when the new bits were tried. Maybe a boarding barn or dressage organization could have a “bit swap” thing? But I felt like her looking at their mouth focused what I’d felt schizophrenic about on my own. I tried: HS KK, novocontact, RS dynamic, various French links, nathes, Mullen mouth, Waterford, various styles of lozenges, Myler bits, etc. This was more efficient and ultimately less $ than my personal bitting attempts. Color me sold on the concept!

[Texarkana]

My instructor brings a biting clinician to our area periodically… I have always wanted to do it, but the timing is always wrong for me. It definitely seems like it is worth it. While I haven’t attended, I’ve watched videos of sessions and it’s amazing to see the difference the right bit makes. The response was much more dramatic than I expected-- you could tell almost instantly when the horse liked the bit.

I’d love to see what they’d recommend for my horse: for years, I used your typical “kind” snaffles on her that I ride most horses in-- french links, oval links, single jointed with fat eggbutt mouths, rubber mullens, etc. She hated all of them and had trouble accepting contact; she would also lock her jaw and evade the snaffles, yet would lose her marbles in bits with any leverage. I always blamed it on my riding until I switched her to a low port mullen snaffle and she was like a new horse. I know the right bit makes a world of difference for her and it would be great to know what other options we have.

[LilyandBaron]

@Texarkana

While I haven’t attended, I’ve watched videos of sessions and it’s amazing to see the difference the right bit makes. The response was much more dramatic than I expected-- you could tell almost instantly when the horse liked the bit.

I think with saddle fitting, it takes longer to make a big difference. I mean, it improves, but the pain of a bad saddle lingers. With the bitting clinic, it was immediate and pretty dramatic when it was the “one.”

[MissAriel]

Like saddle fitting, I would imagine the success of a bit fitting would hinge on the ability of the fitter.

For those of you who have had good experiences, can you share who did your bit fitting?

[LilyandBaron]

Horse by Horse was the company that did mine. Very nice lady, and I always appreciate people who treat me with respect even though I’m riding off the track rescues - I love diamonds in the rough. The STB cost $100!!! Lol.

[Guyot]

I love bit fittings by Horse By Horse, Stephanie is amazing! After doing my fist clinic last year I will never buy a bit another way. Have hosted two clinics this year already and will probably be planning another!

[Texarkana]

Kim Gentry did our bit fitting clinic for Neue Schule.

[Hayburner]

Can you share the contact information for Horse By Horse? Thanks!

[Guyot]

https://m.facebook.com/HorseByHorse/

[Libby2563]

I liked the idea of a bitting clinic but had a very poor experience at my first and only one last fall. The organizer asked us all what we needed (size, bit type) and I told her (5.75" curbs, even suggested a couple models I thought sounded appropriate). She passed it along to the clinician. I left work early, trailered over an hour to the host barn, and paid the clinician $50, and then she said, “Oh, I didn’t bring any curb bits.” She spent about 30 seconds looking at the horse’s mouth (never removed the bridle or even unbuckled the noseband) and that was the extent of the clinic for me. I was miffed.

The clinician offered to send me two bits to try for free so I accepted that offer, received the bits, didn’t see enough of a difference in the horse’s way of going to justify the cost, and mailed them back. Next thing I knew, my credit card was charged a 10% trial fee. I thought it was a mistake at first so I emailed the company reminding them that I hadn’t been able to try any bits at the clinic, as advertised (as in, the whole point of the clinic). They refused to refund either the trial fee or the clinic fee (which were very similar amounts). The organizer, who was standing next to me when the clinician offered the free trial, agreed with my understanding of events. I definitely would have asked for my $50 back if I had understood I would be paying the trial fee.

Emails with the company went nowhere and I ended up disputing the trial fee with my credit card company. It was a disappointing customer service experience for sure, and kind of silly IMO because I was interested in some other expensive products they carry but definitely won’t be doing business with them again now.

So, not a bad experience with bit fitting per se, just couldn’t recommend this particular clinician. I don’t really want to get into anything with the company online so anyone in the Maryland area who wants to know who I’m talking about can PM me.

[LilyandBaron]

Hmm, might be important to get feedback or even audit these types of clinics, too? But in clinic I attended, I didn’t provide any suggestions, just rode in bit I’ve been using to start. And she had full set of various bits in various sizes, thankfully. None for sale there but could order through her.

[Guyot]

In my experience, the bit fitting clinician should look at the horses mouth anatomically and measure your horses mouth for the proper bit shapes and sizes.

Then they should watch you ride in your regular bits. Then they should start swapping the bits out for you to try. You should be talked through the experience with open dialog going both ways to help you select the best bit choice for you and your horse.

A snaffle fitting takes about an hour and a double bridle takes about 2 hours.

Working with Stephanie, this has been my experience multiple times. She is not only extremely experienced as she’s been doing this for years, she is also a FEI rider and trainer.

If this is not been your experience, I would strongly encourage you to contact Stephanie at Horse by Horse as she flys all over the country and is wonderful to work with.

Horsebyhorse.com is her website and I think she’s even offering phone consults now as well as free shipping for July and August. But I would highly suggest doing the clinic; it’s a really cool experience.

[MysticOakRanch]

I wish there was an option for a bitting clinic with more then one brand of bits. Love the idea. There have been a few in California, but they were priced pretty high, and none were within a 2 hour drive. I might contact Stephanie - see what she charges, I suspect there would be interest in my area. Interesting idea, although again, I’d love to see more then one brand represented.

[kris0227]

@MysticOakRanch

I wish there was an option for a bitting clinic with more then one brand of bits. Love the idea. There have been a few in California, but they were priced pretty high, and none were within a 2 hour drive. I might contact Stephanie - see what she charges, I suspect there would be interest in my area. Interesting idea, although again, I’d love to see more then one brand represented.

Agreed! The ones I’ve seen local to me only focus on the Neue Schule bits which are extremely expensive from what I’ve seen… I’m not very familiar with them, but I question if they really have enough options for some ponies. I might try one if the cost isn’t too prohibitive, but I’m pretty skeptical as to whether they’ll have something that will fit my fat tongue, low palate pony that likes a thinner mouthpiece and no broken joints…

[LilyandBaron]

Stephanie did say in her intro to me that she will recommend non-NS bits if what she has doesn’t work. I was very pleased with NS, so didn’t end up needing that advice.

[Hayburner]

I wonder how you do one over the phone???