Bitless Bridles

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tigger01

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Just wondered if anyone had had experience of using a bitless bridle - the Dr Cook variety. I have a TBxWelsh mare who is proving to be a nightmare with her mouth. We've tried happy mouth, kk ultra, nathe, you name it, but she is very unhappy in them. She has a very sensitive mouth and it is obviously sore. She's an active, very forward going mare, who really wants to be out and about and always tries her best. But it's got to the point where I feel I have to try this and see if it has any effect on her. I trust her implicitly and know I could ride her in a headcollar and lead rope if needs be, but doing XC in this might be interesting!!

Any ideas anyone? Many thanks.
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not a dr cook but all sorts of hackamores- i have a tb mare who headshakes badly - been down the back teeth saddle route also tried snaffles nathes mylers the lot and have as a last ditch tried a hackamore and have a totally different mare! even last night i was schooling her and someone who i didnt know at the yard even commented on how relaxed she was and how differently she goes. not sure if its much help but i would go for it. try in an enclosed area and just take it very slowly... i am finding that i need to use my seat and legs much more with regards to turning so ache like hell afterwards!!! there is a review in your horse this month of different bitless options.Good luck!
 
Thanks for these. I suppose I'm hoping for some sort of miracle cure as she is such a sweet mare, I know there's something she's not happy with. I havent tried a hackamore as I'm worried I wont be able to fit it correctly and I know they can be quite severe in the wrong hands too. I will go out and get Your Horse and read the bitless article with interest.

Thanks again!
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I use a Dr Cooks and get on well with it. My horse headshakes quite badly, bought the leather western one as it was £80 instead of £120 for the English one. I have just recently tried her in a bitted bridle to see if the head shaking was sunshine and pollen related but she started again so we are back on the bitless
 
I have been riding my TB in a Dr Cooks for the past 18 months - he goes fine in it -no problems with brakes or steering - he is very fussy with his mouth and would throw his head about a lot in a bit - he still does when he is wound up but with the bitless I can keep a hold of him without there being any pain and he is far more relaxed this way.

They do a 30 day money back guarantee, so if you don't get on with it you have nothing to lose.
 
I drive in a Dr Cookless and know a number of people who ride in them with great result. Mine is called a Dr Cookless because my local saddler made it - in biothane for £35 or english leather £55. I recommend trying one from Dr Cook then buying one from my saddler!!!
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PM if you want his details.
 
I have been using a Dr Cook's for 19 months now without problems and one of my friends has also changed to it for both her horses, including using it one right from when she was backed. I trust it entirely (have a large, young warmblood) and now, after 40 years of using bits, would never go back. The idea of sticking large chunks of metal in horses' mouths now strikes me as rather unkind, at the very least, maybe just another one of those things that has 'always been done that way'. Why not give the free trial a whirl?
 
I've been using a Dr Cook on my Tb x Cob for almost 2 years. He dislikes bits and would constantly fuss and try to evade any contact. Now he is fab! He is much better to ride and theres no more pulling and fighting! Just wish I'd known about it sooner!
 
Got my Dr Cooks this morning and tried it on Topaz to see how she went and then ventured round the indoor school. I think she wa a bit confused at not having the bit in, but certainly had brakes and steering and she was quite relaxed so fingers crossed. My only worry was whether I'd fitted it correctly but did try and follow the instructions to the letter. Will try a bit of schooling tomorrow and may be go for a hack and brave the outside world.

Thank you for all your advice. You all seem really helpful as I'm a "stranger" to the forum. Like the idea of being a stranger!!!!!
 
My mentor, a clicker trainer in the US, has real trouble with the Dr Cooks because they don't release very well - so you put on pressure, but can't let it off again smartly in the way you would with a bit

tbh, reins attached to a halter would do almost as much good, and don't snag under the chin...

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My mentor, a clicker trainer in the US, has real trouble with the Dr Cooks because they don't release very well - so you put on pressure, but can't let it off again smartly in the way you would with a bit


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I'm glad someone else thinks this, I've always been unimpressed with the Dr Cook for this reason.
If you google Lodge Ropes it might be worth a look, they do nice rope half bosals and other bitless options. They are in Australia, but it hardly makes a difference, as they make made-to-measure gear and are really quick.
It depends really on how your horse is bitless, if properly trained then you should be fine with a rope halter or simple sidepull or bosal. I sometimes think that people use the pressure bitless bridles - like the Dr Cook - because they aren't totally confident in their bitless control?
 
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