Bitless Bridle????

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Island_Girl_10

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Hi, I know there is probably a thread similar to this on here, but I am getting so confused reading all different forums so thought I would start a new one.

My mare has split the corner of her mouth and so I am looking to put her in a bitless bridle to allow it to heal, also if all goes well I may keep her in it as all of her ridden problems (throwing head inverted etc) stem from her mouth. But I have no idea what type of bitless bridle would be best. She is a fine TB just turned 6 and quite green, particularly in canter.

Any help would be much appreciated :).

Thank you
 
I tried a hackamore on Neddy and at first, he threw SUCH a tantrum! He was throwing his head around and doing little bunny hops up the long side of the school.
However, once he got used to it, he really settled and I couldn't tell the difference. I was then told the bridle was too big and so I was back to the bit (they were 2 different bridles) but I recently bought a bridle that is the right size and I'll be testing it out again on friday!
 
Funnily enough I've just been reading some articles on bitless bridles helping with headshaking. I'd go for the Colin Cook Bitless Bridle over a hackamore for example. You can get it from these people:

http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/index.php

If you check out the menu options on the left hand side of their page there is plenty of useful info and comparisons with other types of bridle.

Also you can have a 30 day trial which may help with healing time for your horse's mouth, and if you then don't want to continue with it you can send it back, sounds good to me!

Best of luck :)
 
Thank you very much for all your replies, the Dr cook does look good, which type do any of you have, the beta one or leather one or synthetic please? Also does anyone know if i'd be allowed to compete in one?

Thank you very much :)
 
I have a synthetic one. Would probably opt for the beta one as mine has frayed in the washing machine over time. I think they are great, but not for every horse. Would definitely give it a go.
 
I am changing from a hackamore to a micklem. I did look at Dr Cooks but was rather put off by the amateur looking website :o. I was wary of sending money to them, so did a bit more research and went for the micklem. It has 3 different ways of connecting the reins to go from mild to stronger. I am confident after going nicely in a hackamore, she will be fine :)
 
quirky said:
I am changing from a hackamore to a micklem. I did look at Dr Cooks but was rather put off by the amateur looking website :o. I was wary of sending money to them, so did a bit more research and went for the micklem. It has 3 different ways of connecting the reins to go from mild to stronger. I am confident after going nicely in a hackamore, she will be fine :)
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Oh Quirky can you please let me know how you get on in the micklem? I am looking to swap mine over to it but still researching
 
I have a Dr Cooks for my Shire. He goes beautifully in it as due to a medical reason he can't be bitted. I had better brakes in that than I ever had in a bitted bridle. Our TB x also goes beautifully in it. :)
 
I ride Malaga in a rope hackamore(which is basically a rope halter with a 22' line tied to make reins and a lead rope)it does him fine and was what he was started in.However whatever you choose the equine has to be trained first ;)

MalagaatJames024-1.jpg
 
Has anyone used a libbys scawbrig?

I'm tempted to get one for youngster to have a light feel of and get used to just having on. I want to be bitless right through and having moaned about synthetic bridles in the past, want to go this way ahead of leather now! So anyone here used? If not I'd go Dr. Cooks as looks fairly good and don't want her in a hackamore as fairly harsh.

Pan
 
Thank you.

I think I might go for the Beta Dr Cooks and then upgrade to a leather one if she gets on with it. I've looked into the scawbrig ones and haven't found many good reviews. Also the Micklem, so if you could let me know how you get on with that one too please.

Thanks again.
 
PandorasJar said:
Has anyone used a libbys scawbrig?

I'm tempted to get one for youngster to have a light feel of and get used to just having on. I want to be bitless right through and having moaned about synthetic bridles in the past, want to go this way ahead of leather now! So anyone here used? If not I'd go Dr. Cooks as looks fairly good and don't want her in a hackamore as fairly harsh.

Pan
Click to expand...

I have a IV Horse scawbrig bridle, which is leather - we really like it. I use it mainly when Ron's had a day's hunting in the double bridle to give his mouth a rest. And my sister uses it on her horse as he twists his head in a bitted bridle and it makes him think a bit to use the bitless!
 
Island_Girl_10 said:
Thank you.

I think I might go for the Beta Dr Cooks and then upgrade to a leather one if she gets on with it. I've looked into the scawbrig ones and haven't found many good reviews. Also the Micklem, so if you could let me know how you get on with that one too please.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

If you upgrade to a leather Dr Cook's - then take the leather cross under straps off and swap them for the beta ones.

I found the leather ones stretched eventually.
 
I may have to just lunge her until her mouth has healed, as been riding her in a dually halter, (because have to buy bitless bridle off internet, and so before it would come to keep her in work), and she's been fine in it all week but today she bolted with me, throwing me off after about half a mile and then galloping flat out for about a mile and a half before being caught. Doubting whether i'd have control without a bit.

Thank you for all your advice though.
 
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