Allow bitless bridles in all equestrian sports in Ireland

Jennyharvey

Jennyharvey

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There is a petition going around to support riders choice to compete their horse bitless on equal terms alongside bitted horses, such as in dressage. You dont have to ride bitless, just support the riders choice to do so. Its going well so far, so please sign and pass around so as many people as possible see it. You dont need to be in Ireland either, just interested in showing your support.
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/bitlessinireland

Thanks in advance
 
It's about what is right for the horse. I used to ride one of my horses in one, at the time it was right for her. Don't blame the kit, it's the rider who abuses it.
 
Since I bought a horse that hates wearing a bit, but is happy as larry bitless, I have become frustrated that to compete him in dressage in the future he would need to be bitted. So I'm off to sign the petition.

C&M - it's a little S hackamore that he likes.
 
Faracat said:
Since I bought a horse that hates wearing a bit, but is happy as larry bitless, I have become frustrated that to compete him in dressage in the future he would need to be bitted. So I'm off to sign the petition.

C&M - it's a little S hackamore that he likes.
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Yes I do think there is no valid reason to ban bitless bridles from any competition. It must be very frustrating for many riders whose horses go well/better bitless.
 
'Tradition' is one excuse and the other I've been told is that 'horses can only show true submission with a bit'. Now in my chaps case, it's the conformation of his head/jaw that's the problem. He has a tiny seahorse head and even a myler comfort snaffle just wasn't comfortable for him (I've tried loads of other bits too). I'm not planning on sending him off for plastic surgrey, just so that he can be bitted. :p
 
Signed. I don't compete but support those who want to choose the most suitable equipment for their horse, be that bit, no bit or whatever.
 
Faracat said:
'Tradition' is one excuse and the other I've been told is that 'horses can only show true submission with a bit'.
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;) To tradition in this (and many other cases) where the horses comfort and well being needs to be the priority.
As for submission etc. isn't that what judges are for? :D
 
Done

Faracat - I love your reply "I'm not planning on sending him off for plastic surgery, just so that he can be bitted. " had me in stitches

Bits hurt the horse, it is placed in a sensitive part of his anatomy. Press your finger on your tongue and see how comfortable it is.

Bits also impede breathing. Horses run with their mouths closed and their nostrils flared so all the oxygen can get to the lungs to eventually provide fuel for the body. With a bit, the mouth is open or partially open and this affects the air pressure in the lungs (which can lead to bleeding).

It is all about lightness your horse should be able to respond to your seat and legs.
 
texel said:
Bits hurt the horse, it is placed in a sensitive part of his anatomy. Press your finger on your tongue and see how comfortable it is.

Bits also impede breathing. Horses run with their mouths closed and their nostrils flared so all the oxygen can get to the lungs to eventually provide fuel for the body. With a bit, the mouth is open or partially open and this affects the air pressure in the lungs (which can lead to bleeding).

It is all about lightness your horse should be able to respond to your seat and legs.
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Deary me.. What total nonsense lol

If all that is needed is seat and legs then having a bit will not cause discomfort will it?

Bits do not impede breathing, horses can only breathe through their noses, the windpipe does not end in the mouth therefore it is physically impossible for a bit to affect the air pressure in the lungs.

I do agree though that bitless should be allowed in competitions so will sign the petition :)
 
But you could then argue that actually my horse goes better in a Cheltenham gag, why can I not do dressage in that? Or the ported snaffle that fits my horse's mouth better with more room for the tongue - can't compete in that either. Or a Mexican grakle, when you can in a flash. It's not just excluding bitless, it excludes a vast number of bits and nosebands.

But you can jump in a hackamore anyway already? So is this really just about dressage?
 
cobalobM said:
just curious- are you allowed to jump in other bitless bridles e.g side pull etc? or just hackamore?
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British Eventing - Dressage phase has similar rules to BD, so dressage bitting rules apply and there is a list in the rule book, but for SJ and XC you can use various nosebands/bitless/combinations.

British Showjumping - only reference to bits/nose bands are : "A gag snaffle may be used. A Market Harborough rein may be used, but only with a plain snaffle, not a gag. All other running or check reins and reins acting through sheaves or pulleys are probibited in the arena." And for *pony riders only*: "Correctly fitted standing and running martingales only to be used (can be used together). Any type of running reins, Market Harborough reins, hackamores, bitless bridles and combination bits are not permitted in the arena, practice area or anywhere in the immediate vicinity of the showground." From that I assume adults on horses are fine to use bitless/combinations (and have certainly seen plenty in the ring)

ETA I just realised I didn't actually answer the question re: side pulls. As far as I know yes, because there is nothing in the rules to say no. However I am no expert. Also to add that bitless is commonly used in endurance riding too.
 
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Millikins said:
But you can jump in a hackamore anyway already? So is this really just about dressage?

And Pony Club.
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But I think that's fair - kids shouldn't be riding in pieces of kit like mechanical hackamores! Fair enough if they learn to as they get older, but by then they can be competing under different rule books, so it doesn't matter so much. And the Pony Club is stricter than BE and BS on a lot of other things too like stirrup locking systems and use of draw reins/market harboroughs that again I think is fair when you are dealing with children!
 
Khalswitx - you know bitless bridles are not limited to hackamores right?

Surely the top level one could achieve in dressage is a collected horse with no bit - this shows the talent of a rider.
 
maccachic said:
Khalswitx - you know bitless bridles are not limited to hackamores right?

Surely the top level one could achieve in dressage is a collected horse with no bit - this shows the talent of a rider.
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Ofc, bosals, sidepulls, English hackamores, jumping cavessons, Dr Cook's etc just hackamores are the most common ones I've seen in a jumping ring so what I tend to assume more people use competitively - and because they are one of the 'harshest', with some real force able to put on the nose and poll. Although I personally don't think bitless options like plain halters should come into the discussion as whilst I dont doubt some people use them with perfect control, if anyone could use them in a competition environment then you would end up with even more out-of-control numpties in the warm-up rings than we have as we are...

I actually disagree - I think people underestimate how much pressure on the nose and poll these things can give you. Fine if you have nice soft hands, but any old joe bloggs could haul a horse into an false outline with that kind of pressure, so you would see even more round necks flopping along on the forehand in the lower levels. At least with a simple snaffle you only have 1:1 force. Why a bitless would show any more talent in the rider than a bit is totally unclear, especially when you consider than you are still putting pressure on your horse, just in a different way - so it's not that different really. Unless you are meaning a GP horse with nothing but a neckstrap or something - then I would say your rider is more talented. But with a bitless? It's just a different kind of control. I agree that some horses may prefer it, but that doesn't make it better than a bit, just different.

What really comes into play is the element of should the rider get to choose. I think in jumping, where you are just judged on going clear in time, then stick whatever you want on your horse's face. But when movement, outline and softness are concerned there are already problems like rollkur to consider in dressage - imagine that in a hackamore!
 
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