Bitless Bridle Advice

[Flick240]

Hello!

I have no experience at all with bitless bridles so am hoping someone can offer some advice.

I have had my mare for just over a year and she has always seemed uncomfortable in the bit and not keen to move forward. I therefore decided to try riding her in a head collar and oh my goodness the difference! She is forward thinking and as we do groundwork 5 times a week she is perfect to voice commands so stops easily. I therefore decided to get her a bitless bridle as my insurance states to be insured she has to be in a bridle. Unfortunately in the bridle I got (the star unbranded one which I believe is just a cheapy take on a dr cook) she is back to being uncomfortable and not wanting to go forward.

The vet has suggested X-rays of her mouth as she has a hard lump where her bit would sit but this is a long road and I want her to be comfortable whilst we do investigations to work out what’s going on.

Are there any bitless bridles that don’t put any pressure on her nose or jaw?

 

[gostelr]

I'm not familiar with the Star bitless. Does it cross underneath the jaw?

I've tried 2 different bitless types & found horses usually have a preference for one over the other that varies from horse to horse.

1 type I tried crosses under the jaw & the other type is just a sidepull/semi sidepull more like tying the lead rope to each side of the halter.

Some horses just don't like going bitless. Anyway - this online store has lots of different options so you could google on the different types to see the pros cons of each. https://markusholst.com/tack-shop/bitless/sidepull

 

[fredflop]

Try a sidepull

 

[Flick240]

Thank you so much I’ll take a look! When she is in a head collar the difference is insane! I showed my instructor last night and he was blown away! I’ll have a look at the side pull version thank you! The one I bought that she doesn’t like is this one:

https://www.oldmillsaddlery.com/Mobile/en/Unbranded-Star-Bitless-Bridle/m-m-47781.aspx

I'm not familiar with the Star bitless. Does it cross underneath the jaw?

I've tried 2 different bitless types & found horses usually have a preference for one over the other that varies from horse to horse.

1 type I tried crosses under the jaw & the other type is just a sidepull/semi sidepull more like tying the lead rope to each side of the halter.

Some horses just don't like going bitless. Anyway - this online store has lots of different options so you could google on the different types to see the pros cons of each. https://markusholst.com/tack-shop/bitless/sidepull

 

[Flick240]

Thank you xx

Try a sidepull

 

[Flick240]

Unfortunately it appears the one I already have is a side pull

https://www.oldmillsaddlery.com/Mobile/en/Unbranded-Star-Bitless-Bridle/m-m-47781.aspx

Try a sidepull

 

[Amirah]

You could try taking the browband off?

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I have the "orbitless" as that gives you options about how it works. You can trial them as well.

Sorry I don't know how to put a link in. Orbitless bridle search should get you there!

 

[DabDab]

It looks like the one you have bought has a strap over the nose that tightens when you use the reins...?

A true sidepull is just some rings attached to a plain leather noseband, so no dynamic elements and nothing that can tighten.

When you ride her in the headcollar are you just attaching reins to the side rings?

 

[Amirah]

DabDab is right, on closer inspection that looks like a scawbrig to me, not a sidepull.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

It looks like the one you have bought has a strap over the nose that tightens when you use the reins...?

A true sidepull is just some rings attached to a plain leather noseband, so no dynamic elements and nothing that can tighten.

When you ride her in the headcollar are you just attaching reins to the side rings?

Yes, was just about to say this.

I have a Kieffer Kendra sidepull. Just a "bridle" with the reins attached to the sides of the noseband, essentially.

If a horse rides well in a halter with ropes attached at the side, should be the same with the sidepull since they're not so different.

 

[Winstons Mum]

My ponies love light rider bit less bridles, essentially a side pull, google “natural horse world “ it’s an Australian site with lots of info. Also stocked by urban horse and sometimes turn up on eBay!!

 

[Flick240]

Oh that’s awesome! I’ve been looking for ones you can trial. Thanks so much! Xx

I have the "orbitless" as that gives you options about how it works. You can trial them as well.

Sorry I don't know how to put a link in. Orbitless bridle search should get you there!

 

[Flick240]

I’ll try that tonight. Thank you xx

You could try taking the browband off?

 

[Flick240]

Oh that’s really helpful to know! Thank you. I’m so new to this bitless stuff!

Yes I am just attaching to the side rings of her head collar currently

It looks like the one you have bought has a strap over the nose that tightens when you use the reins...?

A true sidepull is just some rings attached to a plain leather noseband, so no dynamic elements and nothing that can tighten.

When you ride her in the headcollar are you just attaching reins to the side rings?

 

[Flick240]

Thank you! I’m so new to all this! I really appreciate all your knowledge! Xx

DabDab is right, on closer inspection that looks like a scawbrig to me, not a sidepull.

 

[Flick240]

Thank you so much! I think this is what I’ve been looking for. Honestly I can’t thank you all enough xx

Yes, was just about to say this.

I have a Kieffer Kendra sidepull. Just a "bridle" with the reins attached to the sides of the noseband, essentially.

If a horse rides well in a halter with ropes attached at the side, should be the same with the sidepull since they're not so different.

 

[webble]

Orbitless are great another option would be a matrix as it can convert to a side pull, cross under, hackamore and scrawbrig

 

[Flick240]

Oh wow that sounds pretty clever! I’ll have a look at both. Thanks so much!

Orbitless are great another option would be a matrix as it can convert to a side pull, cross under, hackamore and scrawbrig

 

[SEL]

I've got a pony who can't be ridden with a bit (soft palate issues) and I trialled a friend's matrix on her which she responded to well. I'm just about to have a play with a hackamore before committing to the matrix - mainly because the hackamore is cheaper!