Anyone use a cross under dr cook bitless bridle? Help???

[alison_oliver]

Tried one on my lad last night, fits him lovely.
Did a bit in the school on him, walk-halt fine, trot-walk fine, in fact going well, BUT steering became an issue

not brakes like i expected.
Using inside leg to push him out didn't seem to be working and using reins was pointless.
Took him down the lane and he was very good.
Any one else find this an issue? Anyone got any pics of their ned in one?
Stupid blonde questions now...
can i still use normal reins and running martingale with it?
when i ask him to slow or stop, should the pressure release instantly? (this one seemed to remain tight - however not tight in a didn't fit way as it did loosen but not immediately, it was tight as in the pressure remained on him for a few minutes even tho he had done as i asked i didn't like this and he seemed confused too)
Thanks guys

 

[Chico Mio]

Yes I do. It takes them a little while to get used to the idea of their head being 'pushed' rather than pulled for steering, just persevere and he will get the hang of it.

Yes, I use ordinary reins buckled onto the cross under rings. I would advise getting shorter reins as the extra 8" or so of cross under strap means that normal reins are a bit too long and loopy - before I shortened mine I sometimes got the loop of rein stuck under my stirrup!!

Yes, use a running martingale, totally as normal, but you may find you don't need it. FB stopped poking his head in the air once he had no bit.

As long as you fit the bridle as directed, don't be concerned about it not appearing to 'loosen' a lot. It does loosen off sufficiently.

My main bug bear with mine is that the cross under straps twist at the rings on the noseband sometimes - but if I had 'proper' reins with the swivel catch I think this wouldn't happen.

Here is a picture of FB with his on:

 

[alison_oliver]

Luckily my spare set of reins are a shorter set, and as i didn't want to take apart my bridle i used them (luck not judegement here, thanks for the pointer).
I think it'll take a while with him, but i will persevere as like you said i had no head in the air last night, quite a nice feeling!! although it was damp and cool there was hardly any headshaking without his nosenet, we'll see how he is on a warm sunny day if we ever get another one!!!
From the way you have yours fitted i'd say i had it on him right.
Fb looks very happy in his xx Thanks for the help xx

 

[Impy]

I would echo all that has been said in the response above. My horse took a while to get used to steering in it. I did find though that it made me use my seat/legs more to steer rather than my hands - which must be a good thing. My horse wears his with the noseband quite a bit higher now. I started off as low as in the pics but once he was used to it I have moved it up as I think his head looks more balanced like that.

 

[zeuscleoharmony]

Oh, it is so great to hear you are giving bitless a go. I have ridden bitless for over three years now. I am a happy hacker so schooling is kept to a bare minimum and I can only do this whilst I hack. The biggest change for my boy was that he immediately relaxed, his back softened, his neck softened and he seemed so much happier. I took things easy with regard to upping my paces as you do when changing bits, I suspect. I have done all paces and jumped too with no problems. I do use my voice a lot and my legs and I tend to do a bit of neck reining too. I personally have no need whatsoever to change back to a bit so will continue riding my boy in his all the time he can be ridden.

 

[CeeBee]

My old boy absolutely loved his Dr Cook bitless bridle and his brakes were much better than without. He took to it straight away. But also a happy hacker, so never really did much schooling.
Always swore I would never use a bit again, but bottled it with my new horse!