claire77
Active Member
hi,im thinkin of gettin my daughters pony a bitless bridle as he is not very keen on the bit.i was just wonderin if anyone has used these and if they make a difference at all
bitless bridle
- Thread starter claire77
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Natch
Well-Known Member
What type were you thinking of getting, and why? have you had his teeth/back/tack cheched by professionals to make sure its not a pain thing? And have you tried different bits?
I haven't personal experience of bitless bridles per se, (a heacollar or nothing generally suffices if I'm doing natural stuff at the time) but have heard good things about hackamores and mixed reviews about Dr Cooks - but with Dr Cook you can buy second hand off ebay and sell on for similar price if not suitable.
I haven't personal experience of bitless bridles per se, (a heacollar or nothing generally suffices if I'm doing natural stuff at the time) but have heard good things about hackamores and mixed reviews about Dr Cooks - but with Dr Cook you can buy second hand off ebay and sell on for similar price if not suitable.
claire77
Active Member
i was thinkin of gettin a dr cooks one.he has been fully checked out and is fine in that respect.he is in a eggbutt snaffle at present and i dont want to put a harsh bit on him if i can help it
Natch
Well-Known Member
Apologies if you already know this, but eggbut snaffles are considered to be quite harsh bits nowadays (when I was a kid they were the ultimate kind bit!). If you wanted to consider other bits, have you tried a simple straight bar snaffle or a french link?
The only problem with bitless bridles is legality for competitions and pony club and such - not sure if this would be a problem for you or not?
The only problem with bitless bridles is legality for competitions and pony club and such - not sure if this would be a problem for you or not?
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Donkeymad
Guest
I have been using a Dr Cook for several years now (driving) and know a fair number of riders who have been using them for riding. Every one of us would highly recommend them. At least with a genuine Dr Cook you can try it for 30 days and get a full refund if your pony/rider doesn't get on with it.
claire77
Active Member
i hadnt heard that bout the eggbutt!! as with you when i was a kid it was the kindest bit going.
would the Dr cook b suitable for my young daughter to ride with?
would the Dr cook b suitable for my young daughter to ride with?
Ellies_mum2
Well-Known Member
We use a Dr Cook with Ellie and she goes lovely in it. We have brakes and steering.
Maybe it would be an idea to try one out before comitting to buying it
Maybe it would be an idea to try one out before comitting to buying it
Natch
Well-Known Member
Little_Donkey can probably tell you more about how the Dr Cook rides, but as far as I understand it you just ride like you would with her current bridle.
Yes, eggbutt snaffles were well and truly the kindest thing at the time, (20 odd years ago in my case! ) but the current school of thought is that the snaffle action is similar to a nutcracker, pinching the tongue and banging the roof of the mouth at the hinge, which can't be pleasant!
French links take away that hinge and fit around the natural shape of the mouth better, so are considered to be kinder, and although they are hard-ish to find, a simple straight bar mouthpiece with eggbutt or loose ring rings can have a very mild action. If your pony has a fleshy tongue the straight bar may not suit him.
Most mouthpieces are available with eggbutt rings. I prefer a loose ring with rubber bit guards as I believe that to be a slightly kinder action again, but with a childrens' pony I'd probably have it in an eggbutt to avoid the child having to faff with the bit guards!
Dr Cooks and similar bitless bridles may not be allowed in the pony club or riding club events, although you'd have to check with them as I'm not sure. If she isn't going to compete or go to pony club obviously this isn't a concern for you
Yes, eggbutt snaffles were well and truly the kindest thing at the time, (20 odd years ago in my case! ) but the current school of thought is that the snaffle action is similar to a nutcracker, pinching the tongue and banging the roof of the mouth at the hinge, which can't be pleasant!
French links take away that hinge and fit around the natural shape of the mouth better, so are considered to be kinder, and although they are hard-ish to find, a simple straight bar mouthpiece with eggbutt or loose ring rings can have a very mild action. If your pony has a fleshy tongue the straight bar may not suit him.
Most mouthpieces are available with eggbutt rings. I prefer a loose ring with rubber bit guards as I believe that to be a slightly kinder action again, but with a childrens' pony I'd probably have it in an eggbutt to avoid the child having to faff with the bit guards!
Dr Cooks and similar bitless bridles may not be allowed in the pony club or riding club events, although you'd have to check with them as I'm not sure. If she isn't going to compete or go to pony club obviously this isn't a concern for you
claire77
Active Member
we have no plans for competing yet,our main aim is steerin and brakes for now lol.i myself prefer loose ring snaffles and ride my horse in that but as you say it was probly 20 yrs ago that i went to ridin schools,think i need to brush up on bits and stuff lol
Natch
Well-Known Member
Will you let me know how you get on should you decide to try a Dr Cook? I'd be really interested to know
claire77
Active Member
yeah sure,hopefully it will suit both pony and daughter,if not its back to the drawin board as me and my daughter are too stubourn to give up lol
Boysy
Well-Known Member
As a cheaper alternative to the Dr Cooks, you could try a Libbys Scawbrig first, personally i didn't find it any good for my daughters pony as he has a tendency to snatch down but my mare goes beautifully in hers as she also does in her Hackamore. My daugter also takes her to pony club in the Hackamore now, all you need to do is ask the relevant DC or instructor if they mind you using it, there isn't usually a bother if they can see that they are in control and they have seen my mare bitted and it isn't a pretty sight usually - LOL
I ride competitively in the Scawbrig and Hackamore as well as my daughter and have never had a problem or been questioned.
I ride competitively in the Scawbrig and Hackamore as well as my daughter and have never had a problem or been questioned.
Gentle_Warrior
Well-Known Member
I would NOT recommond the Libbys Scrawbrig, I found it useless, you might aswell use a normal headcollar. It has a totally different action to the Dr Cooks
If the pony is known to put it's head between its legs the rider will be powerless, believe me I know !!! I gave up bitless after trying the Libby's it scared the poo out of me !!! But I suppose my horse is no way a pony and has a LOT of power at his disposal
Just my view
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If the pony is known to put it's head between its legs the rider will be powerless, believe me I know !!! I gave up bitless after trying the Libby's it scared the poo out of me !!! But I suppose my horse is no way a pony and has a LOT of power at his disposal
Just my view
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