Bitless bridle, which one?

[Leary]

After getting the vet out again yesterday, I have decided to put Liri in a bitless bridle. The bar in her mouth where the bit sits is still swollen (due to jaw fracture) and although the vet said she should be ok in a rubber snaffle, just feel going bitless would be kinder for the next year or so, he says the swelling will go down more, its just where the bone has thickened so much. I don't know much about bitless bridles so am looking for advice. Iam looking for the kindest bridle with the least pressure, because she has good brakes. Any info on these bridles would be appreciated.

 

[Cliqmo]

I'm no expert but I know from a dabble of research I did a while back that different bitless bridles work in different ways (some rely on crossing under the jaw and adding pressure whilst others focus on poll or nose pressure) and I would guess, owing to the injury, that one of the latter versions may be better for Liri? Good luck x

 

[amandap]

I believe you can trial the Dr Cooks (cross under/head hug action)
and return if no good. http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/
There are lots of side pull designs but riding in your head collar would be similar. You will need to check with your insurance if bitless is covered though.

 

[kerilli]

i tried a Dr Cooks first, but then decided to go for a Nurtural, which i only use very occasionally but it's well worth having in the tackroom. i find it more stable than the Dr Cooks, it has a disc under the jaw that the cross-straps go through, so when you loosen the reins, it doesn't move so much.
i've put foam around the noseband to make it even kinder, to give a larger softer bearing surface.
edited to add: the Micklem looks good too, haven't tried one but would definitely consider it. the nurtural is like a glorified headcollar imho, nose pressure with a teensy bit of poll pressure, i'm not sure how differently the Micklem works.

 

[Chico Mio]

Kerilli, the whole point of the Dr Cook crossunders is that they move independently under the jaw - they don't need 'stabilising' as it ruins the action, it's supposed to slacken off on a loose rein. If your horse goes better in the Nurtural, that's what matters in the long run, that you and your horse are happy.

I love my Dr Cooks because they are so versatile - you can use them as a pressure halter or headcollar and I have my reins attached with scissor snaps so I can just whip them off and use them as a lead rope if we are out on a long ride. The horses love them too and I was doing some pretty fancy stuff with FB in the arena last weekend with his on! I am not a fan of hackamores as I don't like the leverage aspect on the horse's nose.

Read up on the Dr Cook - either on the link amandap gave you or the original American site:

http://www.bitlessbridle.com/