bitless bridle users!!!

[loz9]

Just seen this on another forum & thought i would pass on the info.

Riding in a bitless bridle may mean your not insured:
http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/docs/Email-NHTEC.pdf

 

[CeeBee]

Well that's quite shocking! I rode my horse that is sadly no longer with me in a Dr Cook for 3 years. He went far better in that bridle than a snaffle and I had much more control!
There needs to be significantly more publicity regarding this matter as there must be loads of people who may not realise their insurance could be totally invalid!

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

Have just spoken to SEIB and they were completely unaware of what the BHS have stated in your link. They reassured me that I am covered, regardless of what tack I decide to use.

To be honest, I get really pi55ed off with the BHS and their ilk. They clearly have no knowledge of how these bridles work and their effect. I thought that their main concern was the welfare of the horse. Well - NEWS FLASH - my pony is more comfortable and works more productively in a Dr Cooks than she ever did in a bridle and (various) bits, which is why I use one. Believe me, if she could work in a bit, life for her and me would be a lot easier and we could participate in a lot more disciplines. There is a lot of prejudice in these behind-the-times societies and they appear unwilling to broaden their knowledge.

Anyway, rant overThanks for posting this OP

 

[Rosie2407]

Aw cripes!

Just checked all the way through my petplan policy docs and can't find anything about this. Only stipulation seems to be that you must wear a hat...

Best phone them to be sure I guess, i let u all know what they say.

Only just started with mine but mayb not continue till I know for sure.
Thanks for the heads up!

 

[JenHunt]

To be honest, I get really pi55ed off with the BHS and their ilk. They clearly have no knowledge of how these bridles work and their effect. I thought that their main concern was the welfare of the horse. Well - NEWS FLASH - my pony is more comfortable and works more productively in a Dr Cooks than she ever did in a bridle and (various) bits, which is why I use one. Believe me, if she could work in a bit, life for her and me would be a lot easier and we could participate in a lot more disciplines. There is a lot of prejudice in these behind-the-times societies and they appear unwilling to broaden their knowledge.

Anyway, rant overThanks for posting this OP

I couldn't agree more... My lad is the same - ok so he works in a bit, but it's not dressage "Legal", and as soon as he's put in a different bit he throws all his toys out of the pram. Now, I'm not saying we'd win every class we entered if I could use the bit he prefers, but it would mean that we'd be able to compete without having a tantrum for 40 minutes first!!!

How anybody can say that a bitless bridle gives the rider less control I'll never know. a friend of mine hunts his mare in a bitless bridle, and his control is better than most I know! If the mare was in any bit she'd be up on two legs and trying to kill him and anyone near by. She's not a dangerous horse (it all stems from a mouth infection she had as a 4 year old), she just knows whats comfortable for her.

Why can't organisations (BHS/BS/BD/BE) acknowledge that times have moved on, and our understanding of the horse, it's anatomy and behaviour have got better, and as a result we've realised that an eggbutt snaffle isn't the be-all-and-end-all of bridle options, nor is progression to the double bridle the ultimate aim in schooling a horse...

 

[loz9]

To be honest im with you lot, i just wish the societies would get themselves organised & agree on some guidelines to make life less complicated for competitors/riders. And allow us to ride in what suits our horses' best.

I backed my youngster in a bitless & gradually introduced her to the bit as she progressed (even riding with both on for a while). This prevented me from accidently pulling her in the mouth if she had a strop & allowing me to ride off whichever rein she needed that day. My other mare (who i originally bought the dr cook for) had much better steering & brakes in a bitless, & came in a much better outline in it. I guess its all just a fear of the unknown/uncertainty with the bitless bridles, & as bits have been used for centuries you clearly have better control in them. Maybe some research needs to be done!

 

[wizzybit]

Just checked and Scottish Equestrian say I'm covered. My friend checked and NFU says she's covered.

BHS need to join the 21st century

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

The thing is, the research is out there. I don't understand the unwillingness of these societies to understand it and their objections to riding bitless. Are these societies still filled with old school fuddy duddies who can't read without a magnifying glass and are resolutely stuck in the past. It's a shame if they are. I will not join these societies as I can't participate in any of their activities. This attitude towards riding bitless is loseing them money and support.

 

[Tinypony]

Typical BHS misinformation and ignorance. It's not against the law to ride on the road in a bitless bridle. And, whether or not they cover people under their insurance, plenty of other companies do. I've been insured under SEIB and NFU. There is a company that is specifically tailoring public liability insurance for bitless riders, and it only costs a tiny bit more than BHS membership... can't remember the name at the moment, but I will...
A lot of my friends only have BHS membership for the public liability insurance, so you can be sure I will be spreading this BHS latest far and wide via my mailing lists and giving them the information should they wish to choose another option. I'll try to search out a link to the insurance website later.
All this is is bl**dy ignorance. Just because some BHS people have only studied horsemanship in a fairly narrow field, they are attempting to impose their limited beliefs and training on the wider equestrian world. This is why they should not have such a say in influencing policy and law, they are not representative of many horse owners and riders. Maybe they would like to spend some time with some western horsemen, and then see if they maintain that a horse can't be just as under control bitless as with a lump of metal in it's mouth.
Bl**dy idiots, they come out with some **** like this and the next thing you know decision makers are taking notice of them. Why should a narrow minded and ill-educated organisation have such influence?
Oooh! This has really got me on a rant hasn't it!

 

[Tinypony]

For **** read c r a p

 

[Tinypony]

OK, here's the link. Spread it among your friends who ride bitless, or even who don't. Strike a blow for free-thinking horsepeople, whether or not they use a bit.

http://www.thegoodhorsemanshipsociety.com/

(I don't like the fact they've named themselves the good horsemanship society, I don't think that there is any bad horsemanship in using a bit. But I'm not going to let a quibble about some words stop me getting insurance from the people they recommend and not renewing my BHS membership).

 

[Donkeymad]

The British Driving Society need to catch up too. I have driven one of my mares in a Dr Cook for a number of years now, and never had any problems. She suffered a nasty mouth injury (before I got her) and does not like a bit touching the area.

 

[Tinypony]

My friend also drives her mare in a Dr Cooks. She's near Hereford, don't know if that's anywhere near you. You should be in touch with each other!

 

[BHSComms]

The British Horse Society has received from its broker, SEIB, the following statement...

"The Highway Code Riding states that before you take a horse on to a road you should ensure all tack fits well and is in good condition and make sure you can control the horse. Never ride a horse without both a saddle and bridle. It does not specify a certain type of Bridle. The BHS Public Liability Policy does not exclude the wearing of bit less bridles and any indemnity provided by the Policy in respect of legal liability to provide compensation [including claimants costs and expenses ] shall operate."

For more information please see The British Horse Society website, www.bhs.org.uk

 

[JenHunt]

Thank you for clearing that up BHSComms,

But I think that most people's rant comes from the fact that so many organisations are not approaching the bitless bridle situation with the respect it deserves. They seem to think that its some airy-fairy, hippified nonsense that will go out of fashion sooner or later, rather than the proven "technology" that it has become.

And it isn't just the Bitless bridle, but the more novel, more modern design, more humane (for want of a better word) bits as well that need to be taken seriously and at least properly, and fairly considered when rules, regulations etc are drawn up.

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

Me thinks the BHS have had a telling off I wonder how many calls SEIB have taken regarding this matter?

Anyway, decent of the BHS to post and hope they've read the previous comments. From small acorns grow mighty oaks

 

[Philip O]

Speaking as a representative of The Good Horsemanship Society we set up the society to allow people choice of how they ride their horse, or lead them! That is why membership in underpinned by insurance that allows you to do whatever you like. Good Horsemanship is whatever works for you and your horse. You will even be insured to ride with nothing at all on (your horse) on private land.
Can you get this in writing from your existing insurer, many still say you are not in proper control without a bit in the horses mouth even if you are leading.
Have a look at our wbsite URL="http://www.thegoodhorsemanshipsociety.com"]
Give us a call or email to contact real perple who understamd that every horse deserves to be treated as an idividual

 

[Alibear]

Very pleased to hear that the BHS insurers have realised their error and we will now be covered. Is a shame it took a week though as we've missed out on a planned ride because of it.

I'm another with a horse whose has a mouth injury and have recently discovered that Dr Cooks maybe the answer to our prayers.

Apparently Classical Riding club permit the use of bitless bridles too but best to check with the venu running the class as some don't realise it's permitted.

 

[Rosie2407]

Been tryin to find this post again!
Double checked with petplan and they confirmed that as long as horse is under control then is fine

phew...

saying that - too scared to go out with no brakes anyway! lol!