Bitless Bridles opinions?

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Bessieboo

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Does anyone here use one or has tried one? What do you think?

I am quite interested in these and wanted to find out what people think.
 
I cannot rate them highly enough. I train up to medium level dressage in a hackamore (just switching to a bit for competitions because of the stupid rules that don't allow bitless). I have ridden all my horses both bitted and bitless and without exception I find them more attentive, happier and stiller in the head bitless. They work beautifully over their backs into a nice light contact.
 
Rode Beau in 1 as a baby due to how soft her skin is, bitting took ages as she had to get used to it gradually but wanted to work.

Also YO new horse has sore mouth not having had her teeth done for a while, so we have had dentist and are riding her in hackamore as alternative to bit while her mouth heals.

I love the hackamore but it can be harsh so you need soft hands. Also a strong horse like Beau can develop a tendency to tuck in her head and lean on it, putting my leg on harder always stood her back up off it.

I also tried a bosal (sp) found it terrible, no control or steering and Beau hated it. Head up complaining all the time. But then I know people who swear by them!

If you get the opportunity to try something and you can see a potential value to your horse, try it!!
 
I got given a warmblood a few years ago, he had been through serious neglect that left his teeth in a bad way which gave him pain memory when bitted. I rode him in a hackamore for 2months before slowly re-introducing a bit. He was a totally different horse and now works softly in W/T/C in a snaffle, i can also hunt him in a snaffle since using the hackamore where as the previous owner used an american gag with one rein on the gag rein ;)
 
I use a Hackamore in day to day, and find it suits me fine for everything at home (schooling, jumping, light hacking)

BUT if he sets his head into 'I'm not doing THAT' -buck-buck-buck-get- off- me- mother' mode complete with throwing ourselves in every direction then I don't have as much control as I'd like, so for fast work and speed hacks (and roads- just in case!!!) I use a snaffle and kinnerton noseband.
 
I have had my youngster in an English hackamore for 3 weeks. Week before and 2 weeks after having wolf tooth out. Couldn't wait to get him back in his snaffle! He was heavy in the hand, I had a definiate lack of breaks and steering could be dodgy! Having said all that, the friend that I borrowed it from rode her dressage horse in it with great results. Give it a go. You might love it!
 
A pony at a place I used to ride at had to have one - there was something about his mouth that made any bit uncomfortable for him (I think it was an ulcer that the bit kept aggravating, but I may have misremembered that). Anyway, he was put into a bitless bridle, a Dr Cook I believe - and he loved it. He could still be asked to do all the things he could do in a bitted bridle, flying changes and so on, but he was not in discomfort any more.

On the other hand, they tried one of the other ponies in one and he had far less respect for it, he was ok, but there was never the same level of delicacy as there was with a bit and for that reason I always used his snaffle bridle when riding him.

So what I am saying is, horses for courses:)
 
i've used the dreaded german hackamore, it worked on the horse i used it on but i don't like them as they are a bit drastic as far as bitless goes. i've also used the english one which is alot kinder and i've got the actual bitless bridle. i do like them alot but i'm not against using bits if that's what is needed. each horse has a preference!
 
I used a Dr Cooks bitless on my mare for about a year as she was very fussy in the mouth and had various issues with the bit, due to her previous treatment. It allowed her to actually think about what I was asking of her and stop worrying and panicking about what was in her mouth. We did everything in our bitless, hacked, jumped, schooled etc.
I would say though that when she was very fit, I didn't have very good breaks in it and more had to wait until she ran out of steam. I did also feel that schooling wise, she would sometimes have a tendency to lean against you, but that is more a trait of her rather than the bridle.
I am now able to ride her in a bit with no jaw crossing, fighting or running away from the contact. She is as light as a feather and I put it down to the fact that the bitless taught her to not be scared of a contact. I still use her bitless now, it's nice to have the option of both. I cannot rate them highly enough.
 
Bessieboo said:
Does anyone here use one or has tried one? What do you think?

I am quite interested in these and wanted to find out what people think.
Click to expand...

I always rode my arabs in hackamores (clunky English style), they preferred it, I did try the gelding at first in a german hackamore as that was what I had to hand, he refused to take one step forwards at all, that came off pdq -like minutes. One I hunted for years with a hackamore, another changed to a Myler LS Combination (double reins) for parties only.

I have a couple of horses now that I ride bitless, the stallion goes happily in a bosal, he LOATHES bits so much that it is a fight to get one in his mouth, so I don't bother, another just in a bog standard off the shelf rope halter. A couple of my Boarders use side pulls.

Some horses like them, others don't seem to accept them, never any harm in trying. I never just whack a bitless on and go out though, always try them out in the round pen or a paddock first - just in case.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I will perhaps see if I can try one out on her first before buying one just to be on the safe side.
 
I love bitless bridles, i ride my arab in a dr cooks, ive been hunting, cross country in it no problem but he is a light horse to ride, i also have a section b who i ride in a hackamore, now this pony pulls like a train i always have controll over him even when he does tuck his head in and lean on it, he also goes well in the dr cooks, but for fast exciting work i have more controll in the hackamore.
 
I ride in a Sidepull (a posh one - it's English Leather) and rarely use the bitted bridle, now. Only when I ride and lead, as the bit fits Henry and not Chloe! The sidepull is probably the gentlest of all the bitless. It's a glorified headcollar with reinforced (padded) noseband and rein rings. I got it from Plas Equestrian, who also do the cheaper webbing sidepulls.
 
Fransurrey said:
I ride in a Sidepull (a posh one - it's English Leather) and rarely use the bitted bridle, now. The sidepull is probably the gentlest of all the bitless. It's a glorified headcollar with reinforced (padded) noseband and rein rings. I got it from Plas Equestrian, who also do the cheaper webbing sidepulls.
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This is the type of sidepull used on the yard here.

The noseband is rigid.

pg%2058%20-%20training%20draw%20reins%20side%20pulls%20hobbles.jpg
 
I went to Spain last month and went on a hack , I rode a 15.2 stallion I'n a bitless bridle
I wasn't to sure about stallion and the thought of no control with no bit
But I tell u it felt like he had a bit I'n I had as much control with a bitless the same as I do with a bit I'n
I know for sure once my youngster is propley ridden , I will be changing
Give it ago
 
Fransurrey said:
I ride in a Sidepull (a posh one - it's English Leather) and rarely use the bitted bridle, now. Only when I ride and lead, as the bit fits Henry and not Chloe! The sidepull is probably the gentlest of all the bitless. It's a glorified headcollar with reinforced (padded) noseband and rein rings. I got it from Plas Equestrian, who also do the cheaper webbing sidepulls.
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Will have a look at these, been after a decent sidepull for ages.
I've ridden in a dr cook and I didn't like it and neither did horse. I felt it was quite tight on the face.
 
I brought a leather Dr Crook 2 years ago thinking it would solve my problems. There was a warning on it like 'some horses may get exhuberent (sp?) due to the new freedom'. I can't remember the wording but mine certainly did. Used once, full size if any takers!!!!
 
I have got the Rambo micklem which gives the option of using a bit or going bit less! I love it although usually use the bit! It looks really good too!
 
Enfys, my sidepull is NOT like that (Thank God!). It's pretty much a reinforced leather headcollar, with padding on the noseband and poll, plus brass rings on the side of the noseband.

The pictures posted above look like Duallys to me. Not my favourite piece of kit...
 
Fransurrey said:
Enfys, my sidepull is NOT like that (Thank God!). It's pretty much a reinforced leather headcollar, with padding on the noseband and poll, plus brass rings on the side of the noseband.

The pictures posted above look like Duallys to me. Not my favourite piece of kit...
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Hideous aren't they?:) They only seem to come in that ghastly colour as well.

Aesthetically I don't like them at all, but the horses seem to like them. I like my bosals, not as ugly as either the sidepulls or the ugly, clunky English style hackamores...my hackamore is all engraved with flowers etc, but it is still clunky! :mad:

:( Hah! Duallys, I know there are many fans but I just don't see the point in them, if a horse needs pressure on the nose to get his attention then I find a stallion chain works a darn sight better, I tried a Dually (got to try before you decide really haven't you?) on my diva of an arabian mare once, she basically stuck two fingers up at me, just the act of putting a chain on her halter has her remembering her manners. The one thing I most dislike about Duallys is that every single one I have seen in action slips around as soon as the noseband is used so that the poor horse is wearing the cheekpiece in his eye.
 
Just found this one whilst looking for one
http://www.horseandharmony.co.uk/barefoot-bridle-amber-2-in-1-171-p.asp

I do like the look of it and it would go well with my western saddles, just not too keen on the throat lash and would like the nose band padded but it is nice and now i cant decide!
Of course if i did get it i would have to get the matching reins too.
(they have said the nose band is too low in the photos.)

I like the ones fransurrey mentioned but i have only found it in black so far, still waiting for a reply from plas equestrian to see if they do it in tan and what their price is.
 
jaysh said:
Just found this one whilst looking for one
http://www.horseandharmony.co.uk/barefoot-bridle-amber-2-in-1-171-p.asp

.
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Some interesting pieces in that link. I almost didn't look when I saw the word 'Barefoot' :o The bitless bridles are better looking than the sidepulls in our local tack store.

I rather like the leather halter, but 55 POUNDS! :eek: that's over $85 :) Maybe not something I'll be buying after all, we won't mention that I will happily spend $400 on a show halter though:rolleyes:
 
:( Hah! Duallys, I know there are many fans but I just don't see the point in them, if a horse needs pressure on the nose to get his attention then I find a stallion chain works a darn sight better, I tried a Dually (got to try before you decide really haven't you?) on my diva of an arabian mare once, she basically stuck two fingers up at me, just the act of putting a chain on her halter has her remembering her manners. The one thing I most dislike about Duallys is that every single one I have seen in action slips around as soon as the noseband is used so that the poor horse is wearing the cheekpiece in his eye.[/QUOTE]

Dually's only slip if not correctly fitted. and would say that most bitless bridles do slide and you end up with check piecie in the eye. mine is ridden bitless and had to put extra strap on bridle to stop this happening
 
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