What is a Loriner?

The Loriner makes and sells bits, bridles, spurs, stirrups and the minor metal items of a horse’s harness, together with the saddle tree. The word Loriner is derived from the Latin Lorum, a thong, bridle or reins, and seems to have entered the English language, from the French, as Lorimer.

The craft has long since disappeared from the City of London. The last working Loriner in London, Mr Chavasse of St Martin’s Lane (outside the City), was made an Honorary Freeman of the Company in the late nineteenth century. The craft continues to be taught in London, with the assistance of the Company, at Capel Manor College in Enfield. The national centre of the craft today is mainly in and around Walsall where the Company has in recent years established strong links.

Today the Company supports courses in lorinery at Capel Manor College, has published a leaflet on bits and bitting, funded veterinary research at Cambridge University and promoted British Standards for saddle trees. It supports organisations including the Riding for the Disabled Association, the Pony Club and the Ebony Horse Club as well as Service equestrian events.

It has strong relationships with the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the Naval Riding Centre and 216 (Blues and Royals) Army Cadet Force Detachment. A set of stirrups for the State Coach’s postilion riders was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the Golden Jubilee Year of 2002 and a specially commissioned bridle was presented to Her Majesty for her Diamond Jubilee.

The Company has made many distinguished horsemen and horsewomen Honorary Freemen or Honorary Liverymen – the most notable example being HRH The Princess Royal, Master in 1992.

In January 2013 Paralympians Sophie Christiansen OBE and Natasha Baker MBE were admitted to the Company as Honorary Freemen.