About the Bridle · Why It Exists · Built on Research
Why and How the Quantum Bridle was Designed...
and why the name Quantum
In the past the term bridle lameness was used to describe a horse that was sound until the bridle went on and then it went lame. There was no scientific evidence to back this knowledge up, but it was a well known phenomenon.
Scientifically Tested
Published Twice
International Fitters
Welfare First
The story behind
the Quantum Bridle
One seminar, three people, and a year of design and testing.
Jill Hick
Gill Batt
Doug Hick
The key lecture was delivered by Dr Vibeke Elbrond, a Danish research vet and scientist who had discovered and traced the myofascial lines running from the horse’s head, throughout its body, to the hooves. These myofascia were found to be integral to movement, coordination and balance — and subsequent research has shown they affect stamina too.
Jill, Gill and Doug immediately recognised that conventional bridles sit directly across these vital myofascial lines and nerves. Together, they set out to create a bridle that would genuinely relieve pressure on the horse and make a real difference — working with the horse’s anatomy rather than against it.
Throughout a year of design and testing, the brief was kept simple: keep the bridle as clear as possible of the vital myofascia and nerves on the horse’s face. Achieve this, and the horse would be more comfortable and able to perform better. Gill’s understanding of bit position and mouth anatomy was central to the process at every stage.
By pure chance, they also discovered that achieving the optimum bridle position on the horse’s head simultaneously held the bit in the optimum alignment within the horse’s mouth — something that rarely happens, and a direct result of Gill’s expertise guiding the design.
Scientifically tested, highly significant
The bridle was tested by Professor Adrian Harrison, formerly of Cambridge and now at Copenhagen Veterinary Research University. Even minimal pressure from a regular bridle was shown to cause muscles to fatigue more quickly — preventing horses from moving through their full natural range.
Professor Harrison is a leading expert in this field, with years of research experience including work for horse racing trainers, for whom overcoming fatigue and maximising limb movement is critical to performance.
Horses ridden in the Quantum Bridle showed
More regular muscle activity
Fewer sudden or painful muscle reactions
Highly balanced muscle use
Why the name Quantum
As manufacturers and worldwide sellers of the Inky Dinky saddle, Jill and Doug brought this expertise to bear — manufacturing the Quantum Bridle to the highest standards of craftsmanship, using the finest materials and leathers, and bringing it into production for sale worldwide.
Gill Batt was instrumental throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring the bridle’s design and fit met the exacting standards demanded by her decades of bitting expertise.
