Anna Martin - Bitting Consultant & Bridle Fitter

27/04/2026

I have a few cancellations during June so please get in touch if you'd like a bit fitting. Mostly Mondays and Fridays.

26/03/2026

Farrier day for Ami. 🤩🤩

04/02/2026

15 (I think) weeks post break and it's coming along. I lunged Ami for 10 mins today. He was very good considering that I took him away from his dinner.
My knee coped ok apart from when I twisted to close the gate.
Still a few weeks before I can get on and tbh, that's fine. I'm not quite ready yet.
I'm exhausted after the 10 mins. 😭😭🤣

And it wasn't raining!! Bonus.

30/01/2026

I'm 14 weeks post break.
I had a hospital appointment on Tuesday and was told that I can get back on Ami in 4 weeks. So that's not too bad.
The bone is 90% knitted but will continue to get stronger over the next couple of years.
The extra 4 weeks will give it a bit of extra time to heal before participating in a 'high risk' sport.
Meanwhile, Ami and I had a walk around the school today which felt ok. He would not be happy if he knew I'd posted this unflattering photo of him.

I have spent the past few months doing refresher training in a skill which I qualified in a few years ago. I decided that it would be good to have some income that doesn't rely on having 4 functioning limbs. So I shall be doing this alongside my bitting. Please give my new page a like and contact me if you're interested.
Anna Martin Colour Analyst

28/01/2026

A very good point made by Ginny.

🤔 Are they trained bit and bridle fitters? (Or saddle in the case of your saddle)

🤦‍♂️I get these so many times during every day. I get it you want to do the best for your horse and will listen to anyone with advice.

🙏But unless they are trained fitters I would always research, question it and seek professional advice.

🦶I wouldn't go to a podiatrist and expect help with my oral health.

🧏‍♀️ just because the last owner used that set up doesn't mean its suitable for you. You ride very differently to everyone else. Your hands will be different and your thoughts on 'control' will be different to everyone else.

🤼‍♀️ just because your last horse loved a certain thing doesn't mean this one will. They are all unique with unique confirmation so why would they want the same thing?

Always get the person for the job!
Equine Fitters Directory
Equigate

17/01/2026

Broken leg/knee update -
I'm 12 weeks post break. I am able to walk around the house unaided and drive short distances.
My muscles are very weak and need building up.
It'll probably be another 6 weeks or so before I am back working.
I need to feel confident on my leg before I spend time around horses.
Thank you for being patient.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Photo from last May.

19/12/2025

Hi everyone. Some of you, of course, know this, but 8 weeks ago on Sunday I broke my leg falling off Ami. He went under the tree, I did not and I had to bail out backwards. It was not Ami's fault.
It's a type 2 tibial plateau fracture with 4mm displacement. Fortunately it's non surgical but was borderline which prompted much lengthy discussion between very clever knee people.
Ami was spooked when I fell and in order to self soothe, he continued walking slowly along our usual path. I followed him with my broken leg and walked until it was too painful to continue. By this time, Ami was out of sight ahead of me. But, he must have sensed when I stopped because he came back to me ♥️♥️♥️
Kevin, the yard manager, came out and found us, got me back on Ami, and I rode back to the yard.
For those of you interested, I have circled the fracture in red, the corner that broke away in blue, and my unhappy calcified menisci, in pink.
The calcification is not as a result of the accident, but was already present and causing me issues.
On Sunday, I am allowed to begin the weight bearing process. Apparently it's going to hurt. 😭

So far, the most pain has been, not from the break, but on my shoulders and left knee due to the sudden use of crutches and the alien way of moving about.

And I've included a photo of Ami, just because he's gorgeous.

11/08/2025

Everyone knows how important it is to have your saddle fitted and checked regularly. But did you know that having your horse’s bit and bridle fitted is just as important? The bit is an invasive piece of equipment which if not fitting correctly can cause undue pain and discomfort within the mouth, and the bridle can be uncomfortable or even painful on pressure points on the head.

We all want the best for our horses, which is why a correctly fitting bit and bridle is vital, not only for your horse’s comfort but to enhance the trust and communication between you both.

Whether you are a happy hacker or a serious competitor, your horse’s welfare will be greatly improved by having your bit/bridle combination fitted.

Make a close study of your horse’s behaviour and see if any of the issues listed below (which are just a selection) are being displayed, which might indicate that your horse is experiencing some discomfort or distress.

Head shaking
Lacking in impulsion
Rushing
Leaning on the bit
Tail swishing
Uneven gait
Ducking behind the bit
Constant snacking when on hacks
Constant fiddling with the bit
Getting the tongue over the bit
Inconsistent contact

You will be hugely rewarded by providing them with a truly comfortable bit fitted by a qualified professional.

If you would like to book a bit fitting, please DM me, Anna Martin, or email at [email protected] 🐎🐎🐎

09/07/2025

Here is my long suffering horse, Ami, stoically trying out a new bitless bridle for me.
He is normally ridden in a Micklem with. Neue Schule Ltd verbindend so this was quite different for him ( and me).
It's the EvoEquine LTD 4 way bitless bridle which I will be adding to my stock to take on fittings.
It can be used in 2 ways as a bitless and 2 ways with bits. As a normal snaffle and as a double.
Perfect if you need to interchange between bitted and bitless.

If you're interested in a fitting for this bridle or bitless in general, then please don't hesitate to contact me.

06/07/2025

Really human? You want to go riding now?? 🐎🐎🐎

21/06/2025

My beautiful Ami after having a bath today. He really hates to be wet even in this warm weather. You'd think he'd like a refreshing shower after getting hot in the school, but no, he still hates it.
But it's nice to have a clean horse.

🐎🐎🐎