Bitless bridles - how do they work?

[YourValentine]

Can anyone explain the difference bitless bridle options and how they work?

A side pull is fairly self explanatory, and I understand the mechanics of a hackamore.

But what about the bitless bridles that appear to have cords crossing under the chin?
Like this: https://www.redpostequestrian.co.uk...4574793028037942&utm_content=Core - QHP - ABM

Or a chin strap that tightens?

And any other variations out there. Considering starting a horse bitless or in a combo of bit & bitless, but don't understand the many options we'll enough to know what might work best.

 

[Caol Ila]

They put pressure on different points of the head.

The sidepull is basically a glorified headcollar.

All those cross-under things apply pressure under the chin and maybe around the muzzle, depending on the design. I don't think I would start a green horse in them, since I don't understand how a horse is to learn lateral and vertical flexion from a bridle that squeezes underneath their chin. They are probably okay for an educated horse who already stops and steers and doesn't mind pressure on that part of their face.

The mechanical hack is also rubbish for training lateral flexion, since you're basically asking them to flex into the big f&*(k-off shank. It also applies a lot of poll pressure, which some horses don't like.

The western hack/bosal does teach lateral and vertical flexion, rather well if you know what you are doing (the jury is out and not coming back....hahahahahahahah) but good ones are expensive, and it's kind of a commitment to that style of training.

The loping hackamore is sort of like a bosal, but made out of soft nylon instead of a hard rawhide. Not a terrible way to start a young horse, but less precise than a bosal.

Starting with a combination of a cavesson/sidepull and a bit seems like a good idea. I've seen people do that.

Bosal






Loping hackamore. Has similar action to a bosal but the noseband is squidgy, so signals are muddier.

 

[YourValentine]

Thanks! That's kind of what I thought looking at them, but wasn't sure if I was missing something.

Will experiment with a snaffle and a side-pull. Basically think he'd prefer bitless but in no way do I trust him enough to go 100% bitless as he can be very opionated.