amzy
Well-Known Member
I am after some feedback from people with bit-less bridles and would like to know if horses usually accept them, after wearing snaffle ones in the past. Any advice will be greatly received as I may have to go down that route.
Bit-less bridles
- Thread starter amzy
- Start date
Evil_Cookie
Well-Known Member
I've used a rope hackamore, I still do when out hacking on the mad tb. It might take a little time in an enclosed area for the horse to fully understand the pressure difference for halt and turning. You can't particularly get an outline or the horse to work properly in them though as you haven't got that subtlty of connection with the mouth. Nice thing to use to give your horses mouth a break.
amzy
Well-Known Member
Well, I'll only be hacking anyway, on a nice quiet pony.
I'm still worried though about the control issue - will it take him a while to understand it?
I'm still worried though about the control issue - will it take him a while to understand it?
Foxglove
Well-Known Member
It would generally depend on why you want to use one and what type.
There are 2 main types - the English and the German.
The English is generally considered the kinder of the 2, with sorter shanks and a wider nose peice, however it does cause a degree of crushing to the jaws as there is no support between the shanks.
The German has much longer shanks and will give a lot more poll pressure, but does not crush the jaw.
Obviously you can increase and decresae the amount of curp pressure you apply to either by adjusting the curb chain, or switching it for a plain leather strap.
Steering is quite often easier in an English as the shanks are not fixed at the bottom, however with both of them you will find that the seat and leg aids are more important as you cannot 'hang on to the mouth'.
Most horses accept them, but not all. I have used them many times on different horses for different reasons. I can highly recommend the Sprenger Kombi for a very strong horse, but most of it will be down to the individual horse and what you want to acheive.
There is also the Bosal (western) hackamore but this needs incricate fitting to work at its most effective and is more a way of riding.
Also the Dr Cook's bitless which works on the whole head. i have no experience using this and would not like to comment on how effective it acually is.
I hope this helps and I haven't bored you!!!
There are 2 main types - the English and the German.
The English is generally considered the kinder of the 2, with sorter shanks and a wider nose peice, however it does cause a degree of crushing to the jaws as there is no support between the shanks.
The German has much longer shanks and will give a lot more poll pressure, but does not crush the jaw.
Obviously you can increase and decresae the amount of curp pressure you apply to either by adjusting the curb chain, or switching it for a plain leather strap.
Steering is quite often easier in an English as the shanks are not fixed at the bottom, however with both of them you will find that the seat and leg aids are more important as you cannot 'hang on to the mouth'.
Most horses accept them, but not all. I have used them many times on different horses for different reasons. I can highly recommend the Sprenger Kombi for a very strong horse, but most of it will be down to the individual horse and what you want to acheive.
There is also the Bosal (western) hackamore but this needs incricate fitting to work at its most effective and is more a way of riding.
Also the Dr Cook's bitless which works on the whole head. i have no experience using this and would not like to comment on how effective it acually is.
I hope this helps and I haven't bored you!!!
Evil_Cookie
Well-Known Member
Only thing I would say about hacking in a bitless, is to check with your insurance company to ensure you are covered, especially if riding on the road. If your worried about using it for the first time, possibly ask for a lesson with an instructor, who will be a great help if your a little unsure. It's also good to have eyes on th ground when trying something new, because its not always easy to feel if the horse is evading or not happy in its body language. I can't comment on the traditional hackamores, I only have the rope hackamore and a bosal (which I'd completely forgotten about... need to go pick it up from the saddlers...
) They both offer good control on my tb but then although she can be strong she is quite sensitive so works well in the hackamores with nose pressure. It probably would be best to trial one with a good instructor, they would be able to tell you if its a suitable option and help your pony understand it.
rrose
Well-Known Member
we use a german hackamore at work for 2 of the horses. one of them has a mouth problem and the other one is un-willing to work in a bit. The german hakamore has very long shanks so we pad the bridle out. (avata pic) it still works the same but just not as harsh. it puts pressure on the poll, nose and jaw.
if this is the first time the horse has had one i would suggest the english
if this is the first time the horse has had one i would suggest the english
Selkie
Well-Known Member
A lady a ride with uses a Dr Cooks, they have only just started, she rode with it over the bitted bridle when she first used it and the horse went so well she never had to touch the bit, and hasnt put it on since. We hack out together every day and they are gettting on fine with it
amzy
Well-Known Member
This may only be a temporary thing as the new horse has just had the dentist rasp a lot of hooks off his teeth and he also found an ulcer. That could be the reason why he is difficult to bit so I want to give him a rest in the mouth.
Just found a Libbys Scawbrig bitless bridle on the net and may give this a go. Thankyou for your comments.
Just found a Libbys Scawbrig bitless bridle on the net and may give this a go. Thankyou for your comments.
gladelpone
Member
I have been riding my mare in a Dr Cooks for about 5 months. I dont find I have any less brakes than I did in her regular bridle. She is much more forward going and lengh of stride is better. She can be a nightmare out hacking but is respectful of the bitless. Have to admit I havent been cross country yet, that could be a different matter!!!! I would recommend it!
aimeerose
Well-Known Member
when my mare partially severed her tongue i rode her in a english hackamore and she worked very very well, lovely light and soft and- she still worked in an outline and forwrd from behind - she was a little longer and lower but just because they arnt bitted doesnt mean the horse lollops round with its head in the air!
our lateral work improved no end as i HAD to use my legs to control it all!
a friend of mine rides her SJer in one all the time as he doesnt settle ina bit so he's happier and thus easier to control as hes not fighting her.
its a personal thing though - i know some people dont lilke the feel they get bitless
our lateral work improved no end as i HAD to use my legs to control it all!
a friend of mine rides her SJer in one all the time as he doesnt settle ina bit so he's happier and thus easier to control as hes not fighting her.
its a personal thing though - i know some people dont lilke the feel they get bitless
Moggy in Manolos
Well-Known Member
Not sure yet as mine is in the post, can let you know how it goes though
joeltzeroth
New User
I've had my 16.3 TB/ID mare in a Dr. Cook's for over a year now, and won't go back. It was meant to be a temporary fix for a short-term problem, but she goes so well in it that I'd never switch back. She works Nov/Elem dressage in it, jumps, does Le Trec, and hacks out, all with no problems. A number of people at my livery have borrowed mine a few times and ended up with bitless bridles of their own. While I think the Dr Cook's hype is a bit overblown, I do really like the product. No issues with getting used to it, other than my mare being a bit suspicious the first time out (but then, she is always suspicious). I ride exactly the same as I did with a bitted bridle in terms of aids. Oddly, when we do a dressage schooling session, she gets just as foamy a mouth as she would with a bit, and she's been known to trot along sort of clicking her teeth together. My trainer is convinced now, as well. Sadly, you can't compete (at least in dressage) in one.