Bitless advice -DR Cook

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charliecrisps

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I think my mare will go better in one as i rode in parelli halter last night and she went much better (she stops and refuses to walk a lot normally so i thought i'd eliminate the bit as a reason) I obviously had no steering or real control though (shouldnt really ride in a halter i know!) Anyway, im worried that when she has her mare bucking fits, where she tries to get her head between her knees for a 'good one', that i wont be able to keep her head up, and will come flying off. Bit scarey the thought of not having a bit!

Any advice from the bitless gang about control when your horse freaks out and if you can pull their head up likeyou can with a bit in their mouth?!
Which bitless methods work best - I was thinking of Dr cook bridle but sooo expensive! Thanks
 
I have a Dr cook and adore it, I can jump in it and easily do jump off rounds with tight circles etc. Brilliant, I haven't yet managed to trust fully riding out in just a bitless. So I am currently riding out in a bitless and a loose ring waterford with double reins. Allthough I basically ride on bitless most the time keeping the rein on the bit loose. Works a treat.

Also Dr cook you can buy copies off ebay if you wanted to for about £20
 
I've recently changed from a pelham to a traditional hackamore on my forward going TB mare and it works a treat. In fact when I hacked her out last night I had the best ever canter from her, slow and controlled without any fussing - I was astounded
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I haven't yet had the opportunity to show jump her in it (the main reason for swapping to bitless) but we have popped over ditches and post and rail out on our rides and she was fine. Wish I'd tried it ages ago!

She ocassionally wants to hooley across the fields and puts her head up but I can easily keep her under control and get her head back where it should be with just a steady hand.
Try an ordinary hackamore first - mine was about £14 off Ebay - Dr Cooks are very exspensive for what they are (in my opinion - my friend has one).

The only word of warning I'd give is my horse was a bit wobbly to start with and I had to use a bit more leg (she's very responsive anyway) but that was only for the first couple of hacks now she is fine.
 
I ride in a Dr Cooks - haven't had any problems and yes, i can get his head up - they do a 30 day money back guarantee, so you could try one and see how you go.
 
I have used a Dr Cook bitless on my tb ex-racer...she could get a bit fussy in her mouth - she has a small mouth and a fat tongue!!! Also used to use a loose ring french link with her too. (she is retired now)
She took to it straight away and never went against it...hacked her, schooled her in it...the only thing was it took me a couple of sessions to get used to it and to stop thinking that there was not a bit involved.
I would just say that you do have to get the sizing right for your horse...so check on the site for fitting info.
 
was going to post about dr cooks, just had a lesson in one and seriously can not believe my stressy, strong TB actually went the best ever in it, he seems to love them, no head tossing or wheel spinning round corners, nice and calm, even gait, relaxed through his poll and even had to push him on!!!! (That never happens)

Have had a few lessons from a Mary Wanless teacher and that probably has something to do with it, but still i was expecting him to prove that they dont work!
 
I drive in a Cookless - it's a copy of a Dr Cook made by my saddler for £35. I have absolutely not stopping or turning problems and my mare is so much happier.
 
My welsh cob can be very fast & strong XC but a couple of years ago when he had a sore on his mouth I tried him in a hackamore (normal english sort) & he was fab, really light and much more self carriage in canter. I even took him XC and had plenty of control!
I have recently been thinking of getting a Dr Cook's bridle for him as although he can school nicely in a bit, he is soo much nicer in the hackamore; I just think the Dr Cook would be "kinder" as would have less pressure on the nose.
 
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