About Horse Bit Advice

How it all started

The HBA Story...

Horse Bit Advice was born from a quest to gain bitting help based on one of my horses that I had encountered a problem with. I proceeded down all the normal sources, seasoned equestrians, tack shops, well-meaning yard experts! Only to be told to bit stronger or use ‘this one’ which my friend’s horse went well in. No one could explain what exactly the bits did in a way that made sense to me.

Gill Batt - internationally renowned bitting specialist and expert.
Gill Batt - International Bit Specialist & HBA Founder

Sadly, the favourite secondary response is to clamp the jaw shut with a tight restrictive noseband as a sticking plaster effect. The outcome for the horse is, compressing all the soft tissue inside the mouth onto a bit that the horse is trying to tell is not right, leading to an uncomfortable and often painful problem for the horse.

It soon became apparent that there was little practical knowledge to be found, apart from a few books and a couple of known Bitting professionals. After attending a Myler Bit demo with Dale Myler I soon became inquisitive to know more. The Myler brothers theory started to make sense that there should be many varying shapes to suit mouth conformation. This led me to ask a lot of questions and start my research from books and attend a Loriner course, talk to bit manufactures and work alongside another Bitting consultant.

However, I needed to know more, not only about bits and their actions but how the horse responded to different mouth and cheekpiece options. At that time there were no teaching courses available, bit choices were far more limited than the vast array of what we see today. Fuelled by a passion and thirst to know more, I took myself off to America, Europe and nationally to work with bit designers, manufacturers, equine dental technicians, physiotherapists, and trainers.

My ‘hands on’ practical approach soon taught me the only one who decides if the bit is right, is the horse!  Fast forward to the current day and many thousands of horse and rider combinations seen, I think it’s now safe to say I have accumulated a sizable amount of knowledge over time. Bit choices have increased, and designs have improved, giving us many options to choose from.

I have worked with riders from all types of disciplines and levels. I have been invited by British Eventing, British Dressage and the loriner and saddlery societies to give talks and demonstrations sharing my theories and approach to bitting.

It matters ‘diddly squat’ to me whether you are a pleasure rider or Olympic contender or if your horse is a bog pony or a million pound stallion. Whatever their status they all deserve to be comfortable!

I believe very strongly that Bitting should now be part of our responsibility of horse care and management. Many times, I see horses exhibiting behavioural problems, undergoing secondary treatment for symptoms that have stemmed from a bitting or bridle issues. The myofascial lines all connect from the head throughout the body, so if there is a tension or restriction to the head and jaw, you will find a compensation somewhere through the body. It is scientifically proven that jaw restriction is directly linked to hind leg action impediment.

My responsibility as a Bitting consultant is only to make your horse more relaxed so that you can move forward in your training or have confidence to ride your horse. It is also reasonable that you horse will need several bit changes across time as they become more established in their contact, self-carriage and work level.

There is growing, positive change in mindset towards bitting, to ensure we achieve the best for our horses not only as athletes but by bringing their welfare and wellbeing to the fore. Don’t get left behind on this wave of progress, learn, join in and enjoy learning how to benefit your horse.

Thank you for visiting our website. If you would like to discuss any of our services in more detail or talk about how one of my bit courses might assist you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Bitting consultations - Horse Bit Advice

Meet the team

International Bit Specialist & HBA Founder

Gill Batt

Starting the journey over 30 years ago, Gill’s knowledge has broadened with knowledge on specific bitting specialists, as well as accurate product knowledge. Gill has travelled to the United States and Europe to uphold many training opportunities and has worked with associated professionals in the industry of equine dentistry, physiotherapy, sports massage, and professional trainers.

Based in Kent, she travels across the UK, including the South East areas of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Gill also runs clinics all over the UK and internationally by appointment.

Gill Batt - internationally renowned bitting specialist

HBA Associates

HBA associates are trained by Gill Batt and available for consultation and clinic bookings. Each Associate member continues their training after the course is finished supported by Gill and the 30 years worth of dedicated bitting experience and knowledge. This ensures that their level of knowledge increases with their practical experience. We have a group chat and meetings where they can ask questions, send video footage to give extra confidence that they have given the best service and you have the right bit and bridle choices.

HBA associates are also Quantum Bridle fitters.

Jo Carroll

HBA Associate

My passion for horses started at an early age when I came home from school and requested riding lessons, from that point on I was hooked!

In 2001, I took the leap to quit my job as a wedding planner and form Jo Carroll Equine Services. Originally, I was focused on one-to-one coaching but then expanded to bring Fun Agility to the South East of England.

I didn’t stop there in expanding my knowledge and business. During the Covid pandemic my thirst for knowledge took me to learn more about bitting and how this affects the horse’s way of going. The Quantum Bridle was also an interest of mine, and this too was researched and more was learnt. As lockdown restrictions eased, I attended the Horse Bit Advice Bitting Consultancy course and gained an independent bitting qualification. Also at this time, I was invited to become the first in person Quantum Bridle fitter.

This gives me a unique approach to coaching, taking into consideration the whole horse and rider

SARAH HOLLAND-VILLA

HBA Associate

I’ve been a BHS APC for over thirty years. I’ve competed in show jumping and eventing, but I now focus on dressage. I am also a qualified equine body worker and have a huge interest in horse rehabilitation. In fact, I’m interested in anything that makes the horse more comfortable, which is how a came to be a Quantum Bridle fitter. After meeting Gill Batt, I decided to add bit fitting to the list of services I provide and took the HBA bitting course in March 2022.

I also run Equine Performance Thermography, using a technique called Core Heat Extraction. We are the only company in the UK using this method, and it’s a very exciting method to identify potential pathology and injuries in horses.

I believe in a holistic approach to horses and bit fitting is a very important part of the horse’s overall welfare.

I cover East and West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.

Sponsored Riders

Katie Radzik

Sponsored Rider

Katie is an FEI Grade 4 Para rider who is part of the world class Podium Potential Pathway Programme.

Joe Bright

Sponsored Rider

Joe is currently competing at PSG. He also coaches and takes horses for training.

Jess Upton

Sponsored Rider

Jess is an ambitious rider and competes at 90-95. She has 3 BS ponies, priestwood special edition, Shannon legacy and trefflon drywden.

What our clients say about us

Reviews

  • positive review  Really love this service, especially as I have no idea about which bit to choose with the sheer amount out there. Gill took plenty of time to watch me… read more

    Sarah Whittaker Avatar Sarah Whittaker
    May 28, 2022
  • positive review  My daughter and her mare have been struggling with contact and evasion, after a visit and consultation from Gill, and a change of bit, Diamond is softer and more relaxed… read more

    Rachel Mary Avatar Rachel Mary
    June 7, 2020
  • positive review  Gill is great, she came, had a chat about what was happening and what we wanted. She assessed Ginge and watched him being ridden in his current bit then selected… read more

    Laure Laura Avatar Laure Laura
    December 14, 2019
  • positive review  Whilst Jeffrey wasn’t displaying any particular signs of discomfort, I just wanted to make sure he was completely comfortable with his bit and bridle. Jeff (like most cobs I suspect)… read more

    Kim Evans Stainsby Avatar Kim Evans Stainsby
    May 14, 2021
  • positive review  I’ve had Jo Carroll out to bit my horse. She was extremely thorough, and spent a lot of time considering different bits before we went for the chosen one!… read more

    Clare Scott Avatar Clare Scott
    February 6, 2022
  • positive review  Fitted us in quite quickly finally got my boy sorted out. Would recommended. Thanks Gill

    Jai Jai Avatar Jai Jai
    May 25, 2020
  • positive review  Wow!!!!! Gill came out this morning to see Oreo and I. Her knowledge of horses is amazing. She could tell by the feel where Oreo was a bit sore… read more

    Sam Elms Avatar Sam Elms
    October 25, 2019
  • positive review  Gill came out to see my horse after the dentist recommended I changed bits. Gill was extremely professional and patient and took the time to get to know my horse… read more

    Siobhan Hall Avatar Siobhan Hall
    August 3, 2020
  • positive review  Very professional lady very knowledgeable and kind. Oscar was happy with his new bit and settled with his work today in a much more relaxed outline and way of going… read more

    Patti Ellis Avatar Patti Ellis
    July 1, 2020
  • positive review  I used Gill’s services after buying my youngster at the end of last year. Up until recently everything was going great in the bit Gill recommended however since the… read more

    Audrey Smith Avatar Audrey Smith
    April 1, 2020