Equine Partnership

08/12/2025

Great sentiment in this post!
While we aim to fit gentle bitless bridles, harsh bitless bridles can also cause resistance and compliance from pain response. Ensuring comfortable communication is paramount ✅

Ditch the Flash Noseband🐴✨

Flash straps have become so normal that many riders never stop to ask why they’re using one. In every appointment, I remove the flash strap—and riders usually feel their horse go better straight away, without changing anything else.

When a horse opens their mouth, puts their tongue over the bit, or avoids the contact, it isn’t misbehaviour—it’s a reaction. A response to discomfort, unwanted pressure, or a bit that doesn’t suit their mouth conformation.

Strapping the mouth shut removes the horse’s ability to tell us something is wrong. A tight flash restricts natural jaw movement, creates tension from the poll right through to the hindquarters, and can even impact deeper breathing needed for athletic performance. It affects circulation, increases anxiety, and shuts down natural expression—especially when the horse is already trying to cope with discomfort.

It has now become increasingly difficult to even find a bridle that doesn’t include a strap designed to hold the mouth closed.

So what can you do?
Ditch the flash strap or any mouth-restricting noseband and focus on improving your connection with your horse. True progress is rooted in the relationship between horse and rider and supported by correct, comfortable tack that allows freedom—not restriction.

True harmony, cadence, and elevation don’t come from mechanical fixes or clamping the mouth shut. They come from a horse who can breathe freely, move naturally, and express themselves without fear of being silenced.

I only stock and fit cavesson bridles—simple, kind, and designed to let horses move, breathe, and feel comfortable in their work.

📲 WhatsApp 07457 404980

06/12/2025

Well written post from Yogi!

Context Blind Commentary. The Modern Epidemic of Not Reading Before Responding

There is a growing problem on social platforms. People are responding to complex educational posts without reading them fully, and without opening the linked article or wider body of work behind them. This behaviour is called context blind commentary.

Context blind commentary happens when a person reacts to a small fragment, a headline, or a single sentence, and then feels confident enough to disagree, correct, or criticise. The issue is not disagreement. The issue is that their response is disconnected from the actual information being shared.

Research in cognitive science explains why this is so common.

• The Illusion of Explanatory Depth
Rozenblit and Keil (2002) showed that people routinely believe they understand topics in far more detail than they actually do. This illusion makes them feel qualified to comment after only a quick skim.

• The Dunning Kruger Effect
First described by Kruger and Dunning (1999). People with limited knowledge often have inflated confidence. In online discussions this produces bold challenges to content they have not properly read.

• Shallow Processing and Digital Overload
Studies like Ophir et al. (2009) on media multitasking show that digital environments push people toward fast, surface level processing. The result is instant reactions rather than careful reading.

• Context Collapse
Marwick and boyd (2011) describe how online spaces compress multiple audiences and remove the cues that help people understand context. A single sentence gets treated as if it stands alone.

These patterns create a culture where snippets are judged as final statements, and educational posts are met with comments that address arguments nobody actually made.

Why full context matters

When a post contains a link to a full article, a research paper, or a long form breakdown, the post is not the full story. It is a doorway to the full context. Responding only to the doorway while ignoring the room behind it leads to misinterpretation, misinformation, and unnecessary conflict.

Reading the whole post, understanding the argument, and then checking the linked article is how online discourse becomes more accurate and more useful for everyone. It also respects the time and effort put into producing educational content.

The takeaway

Before commenting, pause. Read fully. Open the link. Engage with the entire argument rather than the surface.

Better discussions come from context, not reaction.

05/12/2025

🐴THE POWER OF POSITIVITY ✨

Recent research in equine cognition and learning shows that the horse’s world often mirrors our own, especially for those working in the equine industry or teaching riders. The mindsets of horses and humans are closely linked.

If you are a coach, business owner, or teacher, it’s important to see how much you can influence mindsets—your own, your students’, and your horses’. Mindset can change and improve with practice and effort. To encourage a positive mindset, try a simple daily routine. Think about a positive moment from your day or repeat an affirmation like 'Every day, I grow and thrive with my students and horses.' Doing this regularly can help build a more positive outlook over time.

🧠 BRAIN SHRINKAGE VS. GROWTH
Negative patterns, in both students and horses, can often hide progress. This is not just about attitude; it’s also about biology. A 2019 study from the University of Sydney found that cortisol levels have a big effect on learning, memory, and mood. (Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 158 (2019) 1–8, 2019) When horses or students feel stressed, their cortisol goes up, which makes it harder for them to learn and improve, even if they try hard. (Henshall et al., 2022)

To counteract these effects, try using calming techniques in your lessons that are supported by neuroscience. Controlled breathing is one example. It can lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and get both the mind and the body ready to learn. Ask students to take deep breaths: breathe in slowly through the nose, hold for a few seconds, then breathe out through the mouth. This simple practice can quickly turn a tense moment into an opportunity for learning and growth. Positive experiences, such as small wins during a lesson or celebrating progress, help build new neural pathways for both horse and rider.

Coaches often witness how a supportive environment can transform a nervous student into a confident one or accelerate a relaxed horse's learning. Take, for example, a timid rider who, after weeks of instruction and encouragement, finally coaxes their horse into a steady trot. The joy and satisfaction on their face illuminate the entire arena, a testament to the power of positivity and perseverance. This simple act, though seemingly minor, becomes a triumphant moment that fuels further growth and learning.

Consider another scenario where a coach takes on a challenging young horse known for its unpredictability and anxiety in the ring. Through consistent patience and positive reinforcement, including rewarding calm behaviour and celebrating small progress, the horse gradually begins to trust the process. Over time, the horse not only learns to navigate the ring with greater confidence but also begins to engage positively with the coach and riders, showing less fear and greater willingness to learn. It highlights how positive interactions and persistent encouragement can unlock potential in even the most difficult situations.

A positive mindset increases our motivation, while negativity takes it away. (Lincoln & Alison, 2021)

BUILDING POWERFUL MINDSET CONNECTIONS 🔗
Whether in the arena or in business, relationships are important. Coaches balance the horse’s mindset, the student’s feelings, and their own leadership. Empathy, patience, and clear communication link all three, much like connections in the brain.

Every positive interaction between horse, student, and coach makes a difference. A calm horse helps the rider feel confident, and a supportive lesson motivates the student. Growth happens for everyone involved.

As a coach or business leader, create a space where both horses and people feel safe to learn. Celebrate progress, even small steps, with clear practices that support positive behaviour. You might try a 'win of the week' to highlight the best progress. Giving verbal praise during lessons, like noticing a rider’s better technique or a horse’s calmness, works well. This builds confidence and encourages everyone to keep improving. Show resilience when challenges come up.

Keep in mind that stressed horses often show more unwanted behaviours, which can affect the student’s mood and their ability to learn. This effect goes both ways. (Henshall et al., 2022) The way you speak and breathe can strongly influence the situation. Using a calm voice and taking deep, steady breaths can help relax both horses and students, making learning easier. Watching and adjusting these cues can set a positive tone for everyone.

To manage stress well, it’s important to notice the signs early, even the subtle ones. For horses, this means looking beyond obvious signs like pinned ears or pawing. Learning to spot the 'pain face'—tension around the eyes, nostrils, and lips—can show discomfort or stress before it gets worse. (Gleerup et al., 2016) Small changes in how a horse moves, like uneven steps or not wanting to bend, can also signal strain. For students, subtle signs might be a tight jaw, shallow breathing, or a distant look. By paying attention to these details, you can step in with support, improve welfare, and make learning better for both horse and rider.

👉 YOUR APPROACH
Positivity begins with you. As a coach, your approach shapes the experiences of both horses and riders. Real, helpful energy can encourage growth for everyone, including the wider equestrian community.

Negativity, whether from a frustrated rider or an anxious horse, often causes disconnection. Being aware and showing empathy can break this cycle.

Success in the equine world comes from being intentional, staying positive, and building strong relationships between horse, rider, and coach.


International Society for Equitation Science Equine Fitters Directory

References
(2019). Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 158 (2019) 1–8.https://hmlpubs.faculty.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/214/2022/05/2019_Sazma.pdf
Henshall, C., Randle, H., Francis, N. & al., e. (2022). The effect of stress and exercise on the learning performance of horses. Scientific Reports 12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35121736/
Lincoln & Alison. (2021). Why Mindset Matters for Equestrians. https://www.fei.org/stories/lifestyle/teach-me/why-mindset-matters-equestrians-growth-mindset
Henshall, C., Randle, H., Francis, N., Freire & R. (2022). The effect of stress and exercise on the learning performance of horses. Scientific Reports 12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35121736/
Gleerup, Forkman, K. B., Lindegaard, B., Andersen, C. & H., P. (2016). An Equine Pain Face. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 43. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1467298716301325

04/12/2025

✨ New Webinar Series 🐴 HEAD TO TAIL
We often look at the bridle in isolation, but true comfort requires a team approach.

January 2026, we are launching a speaker series dedicated to exploring bridle fit through the lens of other equine professionals. We want to discuss how headgear interacts with dentistry, hoof balance and posture, craniosacral therapy, saddle balance, and behavioral science to name a few ..

We want to facilitate conversations between the experts who keep our horses feeling their best and we need your help to build our panel.

❔Who is the Equine Dentist that explains bit seating perfectly?

❔Who is the Bodyworker that helped you understand poll tension?

❔Who is the Behaviorist that taught you to read the subtle signs of discomfort?

Tag the professionals you trust most in the comments below! 👇

03/12/2025

It was time for another LIVE LECTURE evening with our Advanced Bitless Bridle Fit students ✨ Our current module is BRIDLE DESIGN.

We looked at the evolution and variations of modern bitless bridles in relation to philosophy, anatomy and even touched on some physics!

Thanks to everyone attending for your interaction and questions 👏👏👏

03/12/2025

🚫 WHY THIS IS OPINION - NOT SCIENCE
This popped up on my feed and I was curious to take a look at the claims.While you're welcome to read for yourself I've saved you the trouble...

The 'Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management' was previously called 'Vets for Hunting.' This is a pro-hunting lobby group, not a neutral scientific authority. The 150 vets mentioned represent less than 1% of the veterinary profession. This isn't 'settled science'—it is a minority opinion presented as fact to support a specific agenda..

This argument relies heavily on the 'Appeal to Nature' fallacy. Just because predation is 'natural' does not make it 'humane.' In veterinary science, 'humane' refers to the minimisation of suffering. Being chased to exhaustion causes immense physiological stress and fear, regardless of whether it happens in nature.

Furthermore, the documents linked here are position statements and opinion pieces by a pro-hunting lobby group, not independent, peer-reviewed studies.

References

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7ce456e5274a2c9a484c13/4763.pdf?hl=en-GB

If you are seeking objective evidence, look to the British Veterinary Association (BVA) or the Burns Inquiry, both of which acknowledge the welfare harms of hunting with hounds.

Bateson, P., & Bradshaw, E. L. (1997). Physiological effects of hunting red deer (Cervus elaphus). Proceedings. Biological sciences, 264(1389), 1707–1714. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1997.0237

🚨 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓:— 𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄, 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐄 & 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒 🚨

There is a major national conversation happening right now about fox hunting, it’s management and hunting with hounds.
But most people only ever hear opinions, strong feelings, or short clips taken out of context.

What often gets forgotten is this:
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 - 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐕𝐀𝐖𝐌) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

✅ Over 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐬 across Ireland & the U.K
✅ Specialists in wildlife, behaviour, and welfare
✅ Drawing on decades of research, case studies, and field data

These vets have published evidence explaining:

🔹 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐱𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐬
🔹 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠
🔹 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
🔹 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 & 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞
🔹 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞

This isn’t about tradition.
This isn’t about sides.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Everyone — whether urban, rural, supportive, unsure or neutral — deserves access to the full picture.

📢 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐎
🟡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
🟡 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
🟡 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 & 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

The goal is simple:
𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 — 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

📚 𝐕𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄
Published by the 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐕𝐀𝐖𝐌) — a professional body of veterinary surgeons.

🔗 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞:
https://vawm.org.uk/about-us/

1️⃣ 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬
https://vawm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/A-Veterinary-Opinion-on-Hunting-with-Hounds-September-2017.pdf

2️⃣ 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 - 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 & 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞
https://vawm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VAWM-Position-statement-on-hunting-with-dogs-April-2025.pdf

3️⃣ 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞
https://vawm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NaturalChaseBooklet11-07.pdf

4️⃣ 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞
https://vawm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Hunting-Wildlife-Moral-Issue-March-2018.pdf

5️⃣ 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝
https://vawm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Understanding-Life-in-the-Wild-VAWM.pdf

6️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞
https://vawm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Facts-of-Rural-Life-Book-by-Charlie-Pye-Smith.pdf

💬 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃
This topic affects people, animals and welfare decisions — so the least we can do is ensure the conversation is grounded in truth, science and compassion.

If you believe evidence should guide public understanding:

👇 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄
👇 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
👇 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒

Together, we can keep the conversation informed, balanced and respectful — and make sure accurate scientific information is part of the discussion.

01/12/2025

THE PRESSURE IS ON! ⚠️EXPOSING THE RISKS OF POOR BRIDLE FIT

We often think of a noseband as sitting on "hard" bone, but this 3D model offers a representation of what is can happen underneath the leather.

The clay strip represents the Levator labii superioris (a key muscle responsible for elevating the upper lip and flaring the nostrils), which runs directly over the sharp lateral edge of the nasal bone.

A recent 2025 study on noseband tightness highlights a physics phenomenon known as the "hammocking effect." When a strap is tightened around the nose, it doesn't distribute pressure evenly. Instead, it bridges over the flat or concave midline and concentrates force onto the "peaks" of the bony prominences.

As shown in the image, this muscle sits exactly at that peak. It becomes the cushion between the unyielding leather strap and the sharp drop-off of the nasal bone.

The study found that once a noseband is tightened beyond "1.4 fingers" of space, pressure does not rise gradually—it skyrockets exponentially.

At the lateral edges of the nasal bone (exactly where this muscle sits), the pressure reached 403 kPa at the tightest setting! To put that in perspective, this is significantly higher than the pressure required to cause nerve damage and tissue death in human tourniquet studies. Even at the midline (the flat part), pressure only reached 185 kPa, proving that the sides of the face take more than double the force.

This muscle isn't just padding; it is essential for the horse’s ability to use their muzzle. Sustained pressure at these levels can impair blood supply (ischemia), leading to the "hair loss" or white hairs often seen at this location.

While the noseband bridges over the nasal bone, it digs in here at the sides. This crushes the muscle against the maxilla's hard bony surface. Since the membrane covering this bone (the periosteum) is packed with pain receptors, and the sensitive Infraorbital Nerve sits just beneath this muscle, the pain potential here is massive.

In addition, if this muscle is compressed, the horse’s ability to twitch, chew, or manipulate their upper lip is mechanically restricted. Since the study used a cadaver, it noted that in a live horse, moving its jaw would likely result in even higher pressures.

The "Two-Finger Rule" ✌️ isn't just about the jaw; it's about protecting these delicate soft tissue structures from being crushed against the nasal bone ridges.

As the study concludes, to avoid these damaging pressure peaks, the traditional provision of two fingers’ space must be retained. The takeaway especially for bitless riders is to be mindful about how much pressure you are applying through rein tension.

Read the full post on our website
https://equinepartnership.ie/bitless/the-pressure-is-on-exposing-the-risks-of-poor-bridle-fit

30/11/2025

🍀 I feel super lucky to have been selected to develop the business with a national programme through Enterprise Ireland and Munster Tech University.

We are working on some groundbreaking AI technology for equines and other 4 legged friends. When I say "we", I'm including my co-founder and techy human partner Mike.
Combining our 50 years in coding and IT experience to hopefully solve problems for horse owners and pet owners alike!

We can't say anymore right now, but if you want to keep up to date with our latest progress and perhaps take part in some trials please follow our page Animal Tailor App

P.S We are looking for an online retail development partner to try out a pilot of our tech in the New Year. Ideally an Irish SME equine or pet business we can boost with a FREE trial in exchange for a case study. If you own such a business or you know a business that fits the profile please tag below and we'll be in touch.

29/11/2025

Celebrate your achievements with a beautiful, foil-embossed, printed certificate. Now available at our academy https://equinepartnershipacademy.com/product/foil-stamped-certificate

27/11/2025

📣 "ANATOMICAL” has become one of the most frequently used buzz terms in contemporary bridle design. But is an off the shelf bridle truly anatomical for every horse or indeed any horse?

Check out our latest article, free to read 👉 https://equinepartnership.ie/bitless/anatomical-bridle-fit/


Image Credit: Micklem Bridle

26/11/2025

NORMAL vs NATURAL 🐴 Understanding horse welfare requires distinguishing between what is 'normal' in captivity and what is 'natural' to horses as an evolved species.

The "Alpha Mare" concept is a perfect example. In the wild, ethologists observe that herds rely on cooperation rather than domination. Leadership is shared and fluid.

Aggressive, dominant 'Alpha' behaviour in domestic paddocks is not a natural trait; it emerges from captivity.The effects are revealed by physiological stress markers, such as heart rate variability and cortisol, and the reduction of play behaviour under stress. Limited space and food drive resource guarding. Practical enrichment, such as more slow-feed stations and improved sight lines for escape routes, reduces competition and stress, helping foster a more peaceful environment.

Horses displaying aggressive dominance or refusing to socialise are not manifesting natural hierarchy; science suggests these behaviours reflect environmental stress or poor social development. By imagining constant uncertainty over meals or limited social bonds from the horse's viewpoint, we shift from blaming the horse to considering how management affects their welfare.

We can't fix what we don't understand.

The essential point is that aggressive hierarchy among captive horses comes from management practices, not innate behaviour. Recognising this is necessary for real welfare improvement.

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