Bitless Bridles - Help please!

[katie_and_toto]

Basically, I'd like to try a bitless bridle on Toto. One reason is becuase he can occasianally get excitable/strong when we go out in company e.g hacks, pony club rallies, xc schooling. I wondered whether if he was worked in a bitless bridle at home then when we went out he wore a bit he'd maybe feel it a bit more and I'd have more control? Anyways, he's normally worked at home in a drop noseband and a myler hanging cheek snaffle because he tends to open his mouth a bit. I took the noseband off about a week ago to see if it affected his way of going and he actually works better with no noseband. I even jumped him in the field yesterday like this and he was fab!

So, which bitless bridle would be best for me and Toto? I ride him on a fairly loose contact (but not like washing lines!

) with soft hands because that's what he likes and goes best with. He's not strong or silly at all at home, very relaxed and well behaved. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[hellybelly6]

I have used the english hackamore and the Dr Cook. I liked both. I have found that the hackamore was best for horses who had a high head carriage as it encourages a lower outline.

My horse likes to run off with his head between his legs and chin on the girth so I tried the Dr Cook. I liked it, because of its design, I had control when J tucked his head between his knees.

 

[Tiarella]

i always though (correct me if i am wrong) that bitless bridles are more stronger/effective than bridles with bits anyway? not to sure though lol.

 

[Ellies_mum2]

We use a Dr Cook with Ellie. She used to lock her neck and determine the speed we were travelling

so we now have brakes

Ellie is much better behaved in the bitless and listens better. Have no experience of the hackamore though

 

[hellybelly6]

Its like anything, it depends on how you use it.

I changed back to a bit because I lead my horse on hacks to undo gates as I can not reach them from his back and I had less control in a bitless than with a bit and I was getting dragged towards random patches of grass.It became a safety concern.

 

[frb]

Hackamores are quite severe, Dr Cook is a kind and effective option.

 

[Donkeymad]

I use a Dr Cook on one of mine and agree about leading in one, not good. However, apart from that, I have found it very effective, as have several friends.