Best bitless bridle alternative to Dually Halter

CeeBee

CeeBee

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My youngster has not taken at all to having a bit in his mouth but moves happily and freely in his dually halter. I'm quite happy to keep using this, however would like to use something that looks more like a 'proper' bridle and is not bright blue!
Any suggestions of a bitless bridle that has a similar action to a dually?
I know how the Dr Cook works, so it is other alternatives I am looking for.
Thanks all :)
 
Micklem :). Very versatile and a comfy looking bridle.
My mare goes very well in it but haven't tried the most severe setting, I ride on the mildest and change to medium when beach riding or doing something that may be exciting!
 
We went from Dually to Dr cook with a pony that was not keen on a bit. Found it was good, had brakes and looked better than the Dually.
 
Thanks Quirky, I did wonder about the Miklem, but they are so expensive and you don't see many 2nd hand. Don't get me wrong, though, would be happy to pay if I knew it would suit my boy.
Bit gutted, I sold 2 Dr Cooks when my old boy passed away - he loved his and went very well in it. They were too small for my 'big' horse and for some reason never considered them for my 'little' one.
I might try the copy Nah has suggested and go from there. Just really wondered what difference in control there is between Scawbrig/Sidepull and crossover. Luckily control hasn't been an issue as yet, but I'm sure he will have his moments :)
 
I had a copy made up of the 'Lightrider' noseband, in beta biothane. I soon realised you could flip over the chinstrap to go over the nose, just like a Dually if you wanted the variation...
 
It depends really if you want your bitless bridle to have some sort of closing action or not. The dually tightens over the nose when you take up the rein. The Dr Cook crosses under the jaw and tightens (and some don't seem to release very well).
You might find this interesting. http://www.horsejunction.co.za/embedded/articles/60676/60676.html?iframe=on
Lodge Ropes do some nice riding halters and rope half bosals.
Bitless isn't as straightforward as some people think. For example, a western bosal is a tool that needs to be fitted and used properly. They require a different style of riding and wouldn't suit the "english" contact. You shouldn't even lead a horse by pulling forward on the rein on a bosal.
Rope Indian bosals can lack a release depending on the rope used.
 
The nearest action to a dually is a sidepull. I have a sidepull attachment for sale that I no longer need, used it as a transition from dually to bridle, but now they are all bitted. It's cob size if it's of any interest. :)
 
Decided to be brave and show some photos of me and my little Arab learning about bosals at the weekend. Please be kind to rider of advanced years!

Clebbosal3.jpg
 
A kind of Magic, thanks, I would be interested in the Sidepull attachment, please would you pm details of how much and how to attach etc?
Tinypony, love your photo! Where did you do the bosal training?
 
CeeBee said:
Thanks Quirky, I did wonder about the Miklem, but they are so expensive and you don't see many 2nd hand.
Click to expand...

I bought mine from RideAway and I am pretty certain you can return if not successful.
I was in an English Hackamore to start off with but when I knew it was going to be more permanent, I wanted something more comfortable for the horse.
After doing a lot of reading, I went for the Micklem due to it's versatility. You can even attach a bit to it, I can't rate it highly enough :)
 
CeeBee said:
A kind of Magic, thanks, I would be interested in the Sidepull attachment, please would you pm details of how much and how to attach etc?
Tinypony, love your photo! Where did you do the bosal training?
Click to expand...

I was at a Silversand horsemanship clinic. What we do is based on the tradition of vaquero horsemanship and riding with a bosal comes from that really. Not everyone gets into it, but it seems to suit this horse and so I wanted to get some practise in fitting it properly and using it correctly before the clinic finished (yesterday).

I uploaded this one as well for you to see, but Photobucket was mucking about earlier.

Celebbosal2.jpg


As you can see, I'm riding a bit "Wenglish" LOL! The style of riding is vaquero, but I'm not in cowboy gear and I've got my HM Fhoenix saddle because horsey and I like it.
Oh, and I should really be looking up, but because this was early stages I was watching to see if he was understanding how the bosal worked and giving an easy bend. It's not a tool you want to end up hanging on to.
 
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Nah said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230802549294?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 I have this one. Ridden in it once and it worked quite well! I had a bit of an issue with Ned (nout to do with the bridle) so I haven't used it again, but I think I will soon :)
Click to expand...

That looks like a copy of a Dr Cook, I think? I have something similar, but at this price I might order one as a spare. Thanks Nah. :)


And I just love that you get a free whistle in the shape of a fish with it! :confused::D:D
 
FionaM12 said:
That looks like a copy of a Dr Cook, I think? I have something similar, but at this price I might order one as a spare. Thanks Nah. :)


And I just love that you get a free whistle in the shape of a fish with it! :confused::D:D
Click to expand...

Is that to make a noise with if you get deposited in a ditch do you think??
 
An indian bosal is in-between a scawbrig and a crosspull. It crosses under the chin and not the jaw, so it isn't a head squeeze as such. I've just made one out of beta for someone :)
 
quirky said:
Micklem :). Very versatile and a comfy looking bridle.
My mare goes very well in it but haven't tried the most severe setting, I ride on the mildest and change to medium when beach riding or doing something that may be exciting!
Click to expand...

^^ This. Plus you have 2 different types of bitless bridle offered by the Micklem -sidepull and the crossover (Dr Cook type) or it can be used with a bit too. I love it.
 
I thought the Kaydle looked interesting (mentioned on the link I posted on page 1). Never heard of them and it doesn't seem they are normally for sale though. I was thinking of asking a saddler to make up something similar for me as an experiment.
 
CeeBee said:
A kind of Magic, thanks, I would be interested in the Sidepull attachment, please would you pm details of how much and how to attach etc?
QUOTE]

Is this the sort of side pull you were thinking of? There is no 'squeezing' action from this variation at all the rings are fixed. The noseband can be undone and fitted to any bridle, but you need very short cheekpieces. This a western version, there are western stockists in the UK.

e8813963.jpg


Huge variety of designs. Lots of info and types of bitless here:

http://www.horsejunction.co.za/embedded/articles/60676/60676.html?iframe=on
Click to expand...
 
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quirky said:
I bought mine from RideAway and I am pretty certain you can return if not successful.
I was in an English Hackamore to start off with but when I knew it was going to be more permanent, I wanted something more comfortable for the horse.
After doing a lot of reading, I went for the Micklem due to it's versatility. You can even attach a bit to it, I can't rate it highly enough :)
Click to expand...

Me too - I love the Micklem. Very versatile, bitless and bitted, and comfortable for them. I had a cheap black webbing side pull for a while. My mare went fine in it but I hated it as it looked so nasty (such a snob!)
 
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