Bitting Days 

 
This is my favourite sort of day it means I can come to your yard and spend the day with you.
I can chat and actually see your horses, get to know you to try to pick out the most suitable bit to help or to improve or to move you on

Bitting Days are suitable for a group of friends or associates on a yard wishing to learn more about Bitting and who would like individual advice for their own Horses.

I like to start the day with a short informal General Bitting talk which is designed to make the group think about their own Horses and what sort of issues we may encounter when we look at a Horse to re-bit it. Anyone is welcome to listen to this free talk.
I think the talk is quite crucial for your  understanding of how bits work and what you can expect from the day
if you chose not to attend you will not benefit as well from the whole concept of the day. 

 
At each talk we will discuss:

  • General considerations before we change bits.
  • ​Bridle and Saddle Fit 
  • Conformation of the inside of the Horses mouth 
  • Conformation of the Horses Jaw and Head 
  • Pressure points both inside the mouth and outside on the head
  • Conventional Bit designs and how they work in the Horse's mouth
  • More comfortable Bit designs and how they work in the Horse's mouth.
  • How to understand Resistance
  • How to understand horse mind set.
  • How to select the right bit for competition 
  • How to select the right bit for schooling 

After the talk we will look at each Horse in turn, looking at individual conformation, and any details that are relevant to bitting and  if we need to the Saddle and Bridle can be checked and any adjustments or advice offered
Then we will discuss the Horses training and bitting history and then ride it in the bit it is normally in and then change bits maybe once or twice to see if we can achieve enough difference to merit a change of bit. 
And although not a quick fix it is not worth buying a bit unless there is a little change for the better and that with patience and work you think it will be much better than the bit you have been riding in.
​I do not let you buy a bit on the day unless we have all agreed it looks good and we have had a favourable result in the consultation And then your responsibility is to promise to ride in it for five easy sessions and then at least 25 rides altogether
Without this time a horse cannot possibly be expected to respond well
I charge £65 per Horse and it takes between 45 minutes to an hour per Horse to do for a snaffle Horse and longer if we are doing Double Bits 
This fee is non refundable as you are paying for my time and I have probably also travelled between an hour and four hours to get to you 

Brands Carried
In order to assure that we have enough variety to bit a broad spectrum of Horses and Ponies we have always carried  a variety of brands 
I only made my own bits because I could not find all the mouthpieces and all the cheeks that I needed to do a good job 
But we also carry 
Bomber Bits 
Happy Mouth Bits 
Rotary Bits 
Myler Bits 
and my own 
Informed Designs 
Bridle Work and Saddle Checks 
We have always for years automatically in the course of a consultation checked Bridle work  [bridle fit, head pressure points and noseband tension] and  Saddle [discussing saddle fit and balance] Girth fit and suitability and give recommendations for all if needed ​

I live in Longcot in S Oxfordshire and base my days on how far I have to travel to get to you
So for instance if you are within half an hour I will can come to your yard for a minimum of 2 horses  if you are an hour then 4 horses  if you are two to two and a half hours then 5 or 6 horses
​If you have more than six Horses if I bring some help I can do more as I don't have to do all the administration as well 
I keep my Horses in East Hanney in Oxfordshire so if you are on the way home from me riding four days a week I can call in on the way home for one or two Horses  or there is a possibility that you can come over and use the school on the yard 

Why not try to organise your own Bitting Day ?
Or  if you can find a few people, we might then if you are willing, put the word out on social media and we should be able to find enough for a day either at your yard in close by 
Or I have to be in your area already and can come to you at the end of Bitting on another yard 
Or I  will try to offer when ever I can a yard that you can join in with an existing day

​But at the end of the day if you are on your own and a long way from me and I have offered you several alternatives and you have not for what ever reason been able to join in then I cannot do your Horse at that point in time

Charges 
I charge  £65 per Horse [if I have worked with you and your horse on the day this is a non refundable fee] and it takes approx an hour per horse and then the bit we agree upon stays on your bridle just as we fitted it together
The bits range from £65 to £85 for Snaffles and £90 to £100 for Weymouths and Jumping Training bits so the average spend is approx £155 
​I do need to be paid on the day for everything please 
I can take Cash, Cheques or Cards that should be sufficient for all to have a payment choice 

e mail: hilaryinformedbittingvernon@gmail.com 

Covid 19 

Personal considerations 
I will just drive from me to you 
Wear Gloves and a Face mask
Use a spray sanitiser regularily on my gloves and have changes of Gloves
Used gloves will be taken home with me safely  
Bring all my own food and water 
Work in the open or a large indoor space 
Keep social distancing
For now I will not do a gathered talk before hand but can talk as I go  when Bitting each Horse  
If people want to listen as I talk from the side of the school that will help to enhance your day and gets more information shared 

Horse handling and changing bits 
I would normally handle your Horse myself and transition it into a new bit from the floor 
At the moment I will chat to you from the floor and watch you ride 
When it comes to changing a bit I will hand you a bit that has been wiped with an anti bac wipe 
You will put it onto your bridle and bridle your own Horse
I will make suggestions as we go as to fit etc 
I will take you through transitioning 
Then you will ride around and try the bit with my guidance as normal 
Any bits not used will be wiped again and returned to my van
Payment 
I will have to be paid on the day please
Payment will be only by bacs on the day or card machine which will be wiped and left for you to pick up at a distance and then wiped again as I pick it up 

I think that has covered everything I have so missed not working and seeing all my friends and clients and those who know me well will know how hard it will be not to hug you when we next meet !