Saddle fitting is an art and to correctly match a saddle to both horse and rider can require the expertise of a saddler. I have sat on a lot of saddles that felt uncomfortable to me and I expect many felt uncomfortable to the horse too.

Given the cost of saddles, it is often tempting to use the same saddle for different horses but this may not work well particularly if their size & conformation is quite different. I would generally advise that a saddle be checked for the horse by a saddler but an experienced horse owner/rider may be able to assist with this, at least to highlight any major problems. The key point is that the gullet is the correct width for the horse’s back. If it is too narrow, it will sit too high on the horse and nip its back and if it is too wide, it will press on the withers. A saddle pad or numnah will only be able to help with minor fit problems, not major ones. I would also recommend that a saddle is re-stuffed every few years particularly if it is being transferred from one horse to another.

My bit preference was always a snaffle but I have used a range of snaffle bits over the years for different horses.

I have used rubber or ‘happy mouth” snaffles for horses with very sensitive mouths. The old rubber bits could be quite hard and bulky so I prefer the newer, thinner and softer “happy mouth” versions.

I usually used a loose-ring snaffle rather than a fixed ring eggbutt snaffle, and for some of the stronger ponies and horses, I used a french bridoon which was double jointed with a small central plate. This stopped them leaning on the bit which helped my arms a lot.

I also quite liked a full cheek version which I used on some of the younger horses, particularly if they were a bit difficult to turn.

I remember seeing an old straight twisted metal snaffle when I first started to ride. I can’t believe anyone would use something as painful as this today.

My initial idea was to write about my general preference for snaffle bits and my general dislike for the stronger curb-type bits and gags. The only time I have not used a snaffle bit was for a temperamental jumping mare who I found competed best in a hackamore or bitless bridle.

When checking how to spell hackamore, I came across a range of articles about different types of bitless bridles. I had no idea there were so many different types - bosal, mechanical and sidepull. It sounds like the hackamore I used was a Jumping or English Hackamore. It basically was a thick, fleece-padded noseband with some short metal levers to which the reins attached.

It looks like hackamores may be more used in America than the UK and Europe. Certainly I’m not a fan of the long curbs often seen on Western movies and I am still surprised when I see cowboy movies with the horses in snaffle bits. I expect it is just the horse owners who spot this sort of detail.