debsey1
Well-Known Member
As the title says, does anyone ride in one? They look so much kinder, I am seriously considering in getting one
Bitless bridles anyone?
- Thread starter debsey1
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MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
Um, don't know about this, BUT am not sure of the insurance situation if riding bitless on the road; have heard that some insurance company's are being funny about covering unless a bitted bridle is worn.
Don't know if anyone else has knowledge of this?
Don't know if anyone else has knowledge of this?
classicalfan
Well-Known Member
No, they are not any kinder jsut because they don't have a bit. If fitted incorrectly they can do some serious damage and even when fitted correctly should be used with educated hands.
snoopyinfrance
Well-Known Member
I don't have much knowledge of these but our Yard owner is considering half and half bridles for her ponies with junior riders.
That is to say that the pressure will be divided between the bit and the poll (if I read it correctly).
Would this be a good compromise?
That is to say that the pressure will be divided between the bit and the poll (if I read it correctly).
Would this be a good compromise?
Kokopelli
Well-Known Member
A Kineton is a bit like half and half so is a Micklem. Dr Cook is also a nice bitless one but it depends on what your horse is like to which one you use.
As for riding on the roads most insurance companies will not have you covered unless there is a bit in your horses mouth.
BlueCakes
Well-Known Member
I rode my previous horse in a Hackamore. It was a hackamore made from leather covered in sheepskin. Also known at our place as a Mickey Mouse bridle, because they said it didnt do anything and was about as useful as riding in a headcollar.
However, My horse who was used to being ridden in a happy mouth, found it very strong.
So I guess it depends on the sensitivity of your horse?
...but I wouldn't think of it as being 'kinder' if you want to be 'kind' you wouldn't put a heavy saddle on them and sit on their backs.
I think a bit gives you more control when you need it.
However, My horse who was used to being ridden in a happy mouth, found it very strong.
So I guess it depends on the sensitivity of your horse?
...but I wouldn't think of it as being 'kinder' if you want to be 'kind' you wouldn't put a heavy saddle on them and sit on their backs.
I think a bit gives you more control when you need it.
Trish C
Well-Known Member
When my boy came to me he was in a bitless, and had been for two years. He went ok but I definitely didn't feel that i had more control. He also didn't seem happy with it - shook his head every now and again and just wanted a huge yawn to stretch his jaws whenever I took it off. I couldn't get him to work up at all in it. So I put him in a snaffle and it was an instant transformation, he goes a lot better in the bit and seems so much happier in his work. His bitless was fitted by an expert, and I read loads about fitting it properly and it was as described in all sources...just didn't suit us.
PingPongPony
Well-Known Member
bitless bridles tend to put pressure on the curb and the poll, some horses work better like that but some hate it. my mare hates poll pressure so much that if i put a gag on her she starts throwing her head up, won't focus and goes through jumps cuz her main focus is on getting it off (if you knew my mare you'd know how strange going through jumps is as her aim in life is to jump anything jumpable including water buckets and plastic bottles and 5ft electric fences in the field) and eventually she goes up so i wouldnt even think of putting her in a hackamore or anything bitless. i knew an ex racer which was in a hackamore but just ignored her rider. i personally think that if you want to be kinder to your horse and the horse has a soft mouth and is responsive then why not just try a happy mouth bit? you can get it apple flavoured and how much kinder is that 
i'd only put a bitless bridle on a horse which didn't accept the bit otherwise, just find the softest bit your horse works nicely in
i'd only put a bitless bridle on a horse which didn't accept the bit otherwise, just find the softest bit your horse works nicely in
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Fransurrey
Well-Known Member
I ride in an English Sidepull. Stopping power is via the noseband only (no poll pressure) and so is considered the kindest of the bitless, particularly with a paddded leather noseband.
Henry much prefers it and so does Chloe. I don't have any less stopping power in it, certainly and most other riders don't even notice when I meet people out and about (it's all English leather).
As far as insurance goes, if you are riding in a bridle made for the purpose, then you're legal. This includes bitless. Check with your insurer if you're not certain. Bitless bridles have different mechanisms of action, just like bitted bridles and so the amount of control you have is really dependent on the training the horse has undertaken and his confidence in traffic. A hackamore could probably be considered more severe/powerful than a straight-bar snaffle, for example.
Henry much prefers it and so does Chloe. I don't have any less stopping power in it, certainly and most other riders don't even notice when I meet people out and about (it's all English leather).
As far as insurance goes, if you are riding in a bridle made for the purpose, then you're legal. This includes bitless. Check with your insurer if you're not certain. Bitless bridles have different mechanisms of action, just like bitted bridles and so the amount of control you have is really dependent on the training the horse has undertaken and his confidence in traffic. A hackamore could probably be considered more severe/powerful than a straight-bar snaffle, for example.
Oberon
Well-Known Member
There are (in order of severity)
rope halters (Lodge Ropes)
side pulls (swarbrig)
cross pulls (Dr Cook's etc)
bosals
S hackamores
Flower/Happy Wheel/LG
hackamores (English, German)
Some horses are happy with poll pressure, some are not.
I broke my big lad in a Dr Cooks - which went fine until he started trundeling along on his forehand and leaning on me.
We used a bit for schooling - which he was happy with. But I still wanted to ride bitless so I tried a hackamore - he hated it and kept backing off. We went back to the bit and he was happy again.
Lesson learned = it's not about what I want, it's about what the horse wants!
It's worth a try - I know you can trial a Dr Cooks easily.
rope halters (Lodge Ropes)
side pulls (swarbrig)
cross pulls (Dr Cook's etc)
bosals
S hackamores
Flower/Happy Wheel/LG
hackamores (English, German)
Some horses are happy with poll pressure, some are not.
I broke my big lad in a Dr Cooks - which went fine until he started trundeling along on his forehand and leaning on me.
We used a bit for schooling - which he was happy with. But I still wanted to ride bitless so I tried a hackamore - he hated it and kept backing off. We went back to the bit and he was happy again.
Lesson learned = it's not about what I want, it's about what the horse wants!
It's worth a try - I know you can trial a Dr Cooks easily.
Fransurrey
Well-Known Member
Sorry, but there is no way I would put a rope halter as less severe than a sidepull. I know which I'd rather have on my head!
A scawbrig is also not a sidepull. It acts on the jaw AND nose via a strap. The reins are connected to this strap, which passes under the jaw through two rings, therefore is more severe than a sidepull, which has reins only attached to rings at the side of the bridle, hence it being likened to a headcollar. Scawbrig is basically a cross-under bridle, without the cross bit!!
A scawbrig is also not a sidepull. It acts on the jaw AND nose via a strap. The reins are connected to this strap, which passes under the jaw through two rings, therefore is more severe than a sidepull, which has reins only attached to rings at the side of the bridle, hence it being likened to a headcollar. Scawbrig is basically a cross-under bridle, without the cross bit!!