The Story Of How a Bit Fitter Founded A Bitless Riding Association:

Well, it’s about time I talk about the latest project. But first, you’ll need some backstory.

Back in 2021, in lieu of college courses, I took a bit-fitting certification course. Once certified, I really didn’t see a career in it, I didn’t even think that was possible. But one day, a lightbulb turned on. I had been studying bits for about a year after earning that certification, and thus began Spotted Horse LLC.

Shortly after, I realized how little I truly knew—the Dunning-Kruger effect—and began pursuing bodywork while continuing to offer bit fitting in Charleston and Beaufort. During that time, I had the first of many versions of the same conversation:

“Well, honestly, I don’t want to use a bit, and neither does my horse, but show regulations require it.”

Throughout the years, I heard the same complaint over and over. The more I learned about the equine body and how it relates to the mouth, the more it supported my latest thought: If a horse simply doesn’t care for or cannot comfortably accommodate a bit, we really shouldn’t be forced into using one for shows.

The next few years passed, and I gained my CST certification and Reiki Master/Teacher certification, along with a second bit-fitting certification through LANTRA. The theme stayed the same: Horses are being put into a box just to show, which for some people is their hobby and for others is their livelihood.

Now, for a reality check: yes, your horse is probably fine to go horse show in a bit, even if they cannot comfortably accommodate it. But when we horse show and spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on the show itself, the time, money, and energy spent training the horse, the cost of bodywork, and everything else, why would we not strive for something better than “it will be fine”?

As the years passed, I grew to strongly dislike the modern show world. I saw horses being put into boxes, the tradition of “Well, everyone uses this bit” running rampant, and at the end of the day, the horse paying the price.

Now, at this point, I was hardly ever riding my own horse without a curb bit. Keep that in mind—it’s important.

I moved my horse to a new farm and felt it would be a great way to start over with him. Give him some downtime and once again began low-stress trail rides. I’m a great equine professional, but I’m not a professional rider, after all. 

I noticed my horse becoming extra expressive, and I allowed it as I learned more and more that behavior is communication. His needs were met and exceeded at this facility. He’s a sensitive flower, so he’s not one you could just toss out with a herd and a bale of hay.

Anyway, I started doing deeper dives into the hyoid, tongue, and ventral flexor chain connection—there are lots of other muscles and anatomy involved, but I’m trying to make a long story short. Then I came across interesting information about bit pressure potentially restricting a horse’s hind-end mobility postmortem. Yes, postmortem, but the thought was interesting because I had seen similar things with owners and their horses. I just never had proof like the photo or anything supporting what I was seeing.

Around the same time, I started talking with Lexi of Reining It In. This was about two years ago or so. I found that we shared a lot of the same views, and on the things we disagreed about, we had some great, respectful, and professional conversations. It was truly refreshing. I enjoy people challenging my ideology, and so does she, so it was a quid pro quo.

As we talked more and more, I learned that she used to ride in curbs to compete and now competes in high-speed events bareback and bitless. She even rides bridleless.

Wow, what an idea, I thought to myself. I would love to ride bridleless.

Somewhere along the way, I decided to pull out the old sidepull I usually saved for my clients. At this point, I had seen many horses who were happier bitless or couldn’t comfortably accommodate a bit, so I always kept one on hand with my work bits and bridles.

I took the curb off my horse and tried the sidepull. Now, don’t get me wrong—the first few rides were not perfect. I was a much worse rider, and I’m still a crappy rider. I’m a true adult ammy who loves trail rides. But my horse seemed quite pleased compared to with a bit. 

So, over the last two years, I’ve been transitioning my horse from curb pressure to a simple sidepull. Because, again, I’m an adult ammy and thought I would just figure that out myself. Asking a trainer and taking lessons would have been the smart choice, but don’t worry—I take lessons again now. :)

For the last eight months, I’ve ridden almost exclusively bitless. Now, I’m not saying it will always be this way or stay this way, but my horse is happier, more relaxed, more willing, and forward without being scary forward. There’s just a freedom to his movement.

We even completed a 13-mile intro endurance ride bitless!

So now, to the actual point.

Lexi called me up to vent and mentioned an idea that, once again, I never thought was possible:

“What if WE make a bitless and bridleless showing association?”

Splendid idea—so I jumped at it.

Finally, I can announce and officially introduce the International Bareback & Bridleless Association.

IBBA allows snaffle, bitless, bareback, and, of course, bridleless classes. The whole idea is to give people a platform to horse show without being forced to use a bit and to help people achieve bitless or bridleless riding if that is what they are working toward. It is a welcoming, family-friendly association for riders of all ages, disciplines, breeds, and experience levels, built around ethical competition, equine welfare, partnership, integrity, and community.

We also want competitors to have something meaningful to work toward. Active competitors can earn points toward championships and year-end awards, along with prizes and recognition for their hard work. IBBA shows are also designed with class paybacks. For every single class. That means you aren’t just spending money to enter classes and burning it with nothing coming back. The majority of that payback goes directly back to the riders, while still helping hosts put on shows and helping IBBA continue building a real platform for this kind of horsemanship.

The future of excellent horsemanship lies beyond equipment, and partnership deserves a platform.