A loriner makes bits, bridles, spurs, stirrups, saddle trees and the minor metal items of horse harness.

It used to be the case that the name “loriner” only applied to those who made their products by hand, using traditional skills, but new industrial and manufacturing processes changed that. Modern loriners use casting, drop forging and electro-plating processes in their work and a loriner is now described as someone who makes saddlers’ ironmongery. The manufacturing centre of the craft is in and around Walsall, near Birmingham.

On lorinery and lorinery science courses aspiring loriners will be taught the

* history of lorinery

* principles of bitting and the different types of bit

* metallurgy (which metals which can be used)

* anatomy of a horse’s mouth

* equine dentistry from a bitting perspective

* mechanics of the horse’s body

Historically, a loriner would have joined his trade body, or craft guild, The Worshipful Company of Loriners. This was set up in London in 1261 but by the end of the nineteenth century the Company had virtually no practical purpose in relation to the loriner's craft and exists today as a historical and charitable organisation.

The Company has strong links to the ceremonial military units including the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, the Household Cavalry and the Blues and Royals. It presented Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a specially commissioned bridle for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

More Info: www.loriner.co.uk