Advice sort- beginner rider... bit or bitless

[ShetlandponyMama]

Hi all,
Have a 6yr old learning to ride... only for couple of months now and a kind sensitive 9.2Hh Shetland who at 9yrs old finally has a person (pet her whole life).
Now she’s gaining confidence, trotting, playing games etc the pony is getting upset with the bit, leaning or flat out not listening. Her seat is not independent yet so thinking a flower hackamore or bitless in the interim? Child isn’t deliberately rough but she is leaning on the reins or hands going up. She’s on the lead rein or lunge. She does have a soft mouth (I can drive her and she’s soft).
Thanks

 

[Pippity]

If somebody else is always in control of the pony, I'd just attach the reins to the noseband or a headcollar.

 

[Lois Lame]

A bitless bridle is not necessary a kind bridle in the wrong hands.

 

[ShetlandponyMama]

If somebody else is always in control of the pony, I'd just attach the reins to the noseband or a headcollar.

Sometimes I wonder how I got to be an adult... simplest answer lol didnt cross my mind...

 

[ShetlandponyMama]

A bitless bridle is not necessary a kind bridle in the wrong hands.

Yup, fully agree!

 

[Wishfilly]

If she is using the reins to balance, it may also be worth adding a neckstrap or breastplate to help her balance.

Using a bitless bridle when the rider is sending confusing signals down the reins probably isn't a good idea/fair for the pony long term either.

 

[stormox]

Give her a neckstrap to hold on to till she gets strong enough to balance.

 

[maya2008]

I used to use a crossunder bridle when I had novice sharers, and my daughter had one until she was confident enough that she needed more brakes. Then their hands can be as wobbly as anything and the pony isn’t hurt by it, so can concentrate on looking after the child. My daughter now has a slightly stronger bitless for hacking so she can stop, but still no annoy the pony, who needs to be able to think straight to look after her!