references, customer feedback
and partners

Equiara's work is based on practically improving the well-being of horses. On this page, we share experiences from competitive riders and clients who have benefited from bit fitting appointments, consultations, or who are our partners.

References

national-level dressage rider, trainer, and coach Wilma Erkkilä
— I originally met Janina through a bit fitting for a super-sensitive school horse, and since then, we have continued our long-term collaboration with several different horses, from Icelandic horses and ponies to competition horses. The suitability of the bit has such a significant impact on the horse's relaxation, its willingness to perform contentedly, and its ability to learn. I have received such great help from Janina's expertise and have also, through this, helped numerous client horses.
Olympic and international level event riders, professional equestrians and coaches Sanna Siltakorpi and Elmo Jankari
— Our team comprises a diverse group of horses of various ages competing at different levels, from the Olympics to World and European Championships. Janina's expertise in bits has been particularly supportive in preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics and the 2025 European and World Championships with horses Bofey Click and Buba d'Mues. The sensitive Bofey Click, in particular, has found peace and relaxation with new bit adjustments in major competitions.
Photo: Sonja Holma - Bofey Click at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
International event rider, horse trainer and coach VEERA MANNINEN
— Janina and I made the first bit adjustments for the Paris Olympics, and we found a functional dressage bit. After this, we continued our cooperation regarding bits for the next top horses, and once again we found suitable solutions for my bit collection for the upcoming competition season for horses Mini Magic and Relief. I wouldn't have believed how different the horses felt with the right equipment!
Image: Sonja Holma - Sir Greg at the 2024 Paris Olympics
International event rider, trainer and regional coach AXEL LINDBERG
— I ride and compete with many different horses, from those just starting under saddle to 3-4* eventers competing at international level, such as my top horses Bonapartis, Quelle Bonne, and Cascada. Janina has been helping me with bit fitting for several years, and we've been able to make precise adjustments even in the middle of the competition season, which have allowed the horses to perform excellently. I've also gained knowledge about bits that helps me assist my own students with their challenges. Highly recommended!
national-level show jumper, horse trainer, and coach Iitu Hurskainen
— Together with Janina, we have helped several young horses progress to age-group competitions through equipment adjustments, and I now ride all of them with jointly selected bits. My own competition horse, Lovejoy L, has been large and needed assistance for optimal body use – we have achieved a truly significant change over the years, and for each stage of development, we have always found the perfect solution through bit fitting. Highly recommended!
National-level dressage rider, trainer, and coach NIINA PURSIAINEN
— Janina helped me turn my extremely sensitive and difficult competition horse into a really good one after many years of bit problems. Additionally, the bit adjustments for my young horse worked so well right away that it won its national competition a couple of days later. It's absolutely amazing to learn more about bits from such a top professional and to compete with happy, joyful horses!

examples of fitting situations

Case example 1

A school Finnhorse that had challenges with continuous opening of its mouth, and its competition season was at risk of being cut short because of this.

During the bit fitting, we found a soft, thicker-ended, but narrow-mouthed D-ring French link, as well as a bridong French link with a different pressure for an alternative bit. We also fitted the customer's own curb bits and a new suitable curb bit.

2 years later, the customers are still riding with these bits interchangeably, and the horse and rider combinations have achieved numerous placings, wins, and regional ranking positions since the bit issues were resolved.

case example 2

The client's sensitive field horse needed more softness and relaxation in the dressage arena, as well as stability to settle onto the bit even in slightly more exciting conditions.

The bits were put to the test soon after, as the rider and horse went on to represent Finland at the 2025 Paris Olympics. They delivered a consistent performance in the dressage arena, even in front of a large audience, and the horse remained calm in the very exciting arena.

The horse achieved the best Olympic result for the Finnish team, finishing 36th in the final standings as a first-timer in the Olympic environment, in a very high-level competition.

case example 3

The client had two very different, but extremely sensitive standardbred horses that had problems with overheating, consistency, and breaking into a gallop at the start of races.

Both horses were also easily one-sided in their heads or would readily fight against the bit. We collectively concluded that the horses needed a bit that was soft enough so that overheating at the start would not cause an "overreaction" if the rein pressure tightened.

A gel bit was found for one horse, which it used very contentedly in both harness races and monté races, and a suitable metal bit was found for the other horse for racing at the track.

upcoming directions for May-June: Helsinki metropolitan area, Tallinn-Tartu, Tampere-Tornio
3 bit fitting demonstration on horseback

Bit clinic
Horse Fair 2024

Sensitive school horse with contact issues

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Bit fitting online

Online bit fitting is a location-independent way to conduct bit fittings via video on Google Meet or FaceTime. This is an excellent option for those who want quick help, find it difficult to schedule fittings into their daily lives, or have an urgent need to sort out bit issues remotely, for example, in the middle of the competition season.

Appointments for online fittings can often be scheduled more flexibly than usual, including evenings and weekends, according to agreement and customer preferences.

This has become one of our favourite methods because it has been so convenient and effective! Below you can see pictures of the steps involved in an online bit fitting.

examples of adjustment situations

case example 1

The young rider had been having some trouble with the show jumper, as the horse had been very tense in competition situations and the brakes were easily lost at the same time.

The horse's own bit was found to be too harsh in the online fitting and based on the preliminary video, which showed how the horse easily bolted forward during a half-halt.

In the video fitting, we tested 4 different bit options with different rings and mouthpieces. We performed a few jumping exercises, changing the bit each time, so the rider could feel the direct difference in approaches and between jumps.

Two suitable bits were found for the horse, one of which the horse can use versatilely in daily life as an alternative to a snaffle bit, being a softer option than a leverage bit.

case example 2

A horse professional and trainer of multiple disciplines contacted us regarding two warmblood horses that both had issues with contact.

We fitted the first 4-year-old dressage horse very quickly a couple of days before a competition, allowing the client to compete with new bits as their own weren't working at all. The young horse clearly won its class with 73.2%.

The second horse was fitted later via video fitting at home, and this horse had been experiencing contact issues for several years and didn't seem to like any bit.

Through the video fitting, we found two super good bits that the horse really liked, but the rider also wanted to purchase the remaining two test bits for the benefit and enjoyment of her trainees, as they also worked well as an alternative for both horses.

case example 3

The more experienced dressage horse, ridden by a young rider, had become difficult to feel in the reins, sometimes tensing upwards a lot and sometimes becoming very front-heavy and heavy in the hand.

The horse was not happy with its bit and also had a bit that was anatomically ill-fitting for its mouth, being too thick.

The horse's satisfaction was clearly visible in the video; with some bits, it wasn't relaxed, whereas with some even softer bits, it became even in the feel, yet maintained good posture for carrying itself and was quick in transitions.

The horse was so sensitive that exactly the right solutions had to be found for it – if there was even a little too much, it would start to push against the hand due to its sensitivity. We found a good competition bit for the horse, with which the work could be continued.

Price lists

book a fitting or ask for more information!

You can contact us via chat for appointment bookings through the button below, or you can send us an email at info@equiara.com. You can find a preliminary price list for our services on the "Price Lists" page.

Please note that the prices for fitting appointments vary slightly depending on the location and the number of participants!