About this Event
Bridle and Bit-fitting Explained & Are We Nearly There Yet?
An EDC Educational Evening – FREE
Your horse's mouth is where comfort, welfare and performance meet. In this free evening, two talks look at it from both sides: the equipment that sits in it, and the teeth and tissues inside it.
Bridle and Bit-fitting Explained, with Olivia Turner
Whether you hack, compete, event, do dressage or enjoy your horse at home, the fit of the bridle and bit affects every ride. A poorly fitting bit or bridle can cause discomfort that shows up as head tossing, resistance, tension or a drop in performance. Often these get mistaken for behavioural or training problems. Olivia will explain how good bridle and bit fitting works, what to look for in your own horse, and why comfort, welfare and performance are so closely linked.
This talk is relevant to all horses, whatever their discipline or level.
Are We Nearly There Yet?, with Dr Chris Pearce and Dr Matt Holland
When you go to the dentist, you expect a thorough examination, X-rays if something looks wrong, fillings rather than extractions where possible, and proper pain relief. Horses get the same kinds of dental disease we do: decay, gum disease, fractures and infection. It's often hidden at the back of a long, dark mouth. So how close is equine dental care to what we'd expect for ourselves? And what should you, as an owner, be asking for?
What you'll take away
- How bridle and bit fit affects your horse's comfort, behaviour and performance, and the signs of discomfort to look out for
- What a thorough dental examination looks like, and why sedation, a full mouth speculum and a camera or mirror make such a difference to what can be found
- The dental problems that commonly go unnoticed, and the subtle signs your horse may be showing
- When X-rays or CT scans are needed, and what they reveal that a routine check can't
- How treatments borrowed from human dentistry, such as fillings, periodontal treatment and careful extraction, are now helping horses keep their teeth and stay comfortable
- How to choose the right professionals for your horse's mouth, and the questions worth asking
There will be plenty of time for questions, so bring your own horse's bitting and dental puzzles.
About the speakers
Olivia Turner is an Animal Behaviour Consultant and Equine Bitting Specialist, and winner of Equine Fitter of the Year at the Equine Fitters Council awards. She is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Loriners, and her work promotes good horse welfare through education and correct bit and bridle fitting.
Dr Chris Pearce founded The Equine Dental Clinic in 2013. In 2014 he became one of the first five vets worldwide to pass the European Veterinary Dental College specialist examination, and he has lectured on equine dentistry worldwide. His published work includes a 12-year study of fillings in horses' teeth, and he treats referral cases from vets across the UK and beyond.
Dr Matt Holland joined EDC in 2025 and is training to become a specialist through an EVDC residency programme at the clinic. Matt does routine dental work every day and takes on a growing number of more advanced cases. That makes him the ideal person to explain what good everyday dental care looks like for your horse.
Who it's for
Horse owners, riders, yard managers, coaches and anyone who cares for horses, whatever the discipline. No technical knowledge needed.
The practical bits
Thursday 26 November, 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Lyndhurst Community Centre, Main Car Park, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY
FREE event: please book your place so we can plan numbers
Refreshments available
Event venue & nearby stays
Lyndhurst Community Centre, Main Car Park, Lyndhurst, United Kingdom
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