Bitless bridles?

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Ahrena

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Okay so Willow hasnt really been jumping for me since April/May. We've been getting a fair few eliminations and lots of stops at home too. So we had her completly checked, teeth, back, saddle the works and shes fine, so I thought mayber she needed a break. It still hasn't improved, even over tiny jumps shes been a prat.

Today I was too lazy to detour 10 minutes to get my bridle so decided to hack her in her headcollar (totally off road and shes never strong unless shes hunting). She was more forward than usual and I popped a few xc jumps and she went really nicely, going off a long one occasionally and didn't stop.

So afterwards I took her to the school and put her round a couple of small courses and she was great - even jumped the fillers ect, no stops or knock downs what so ever.

So I'm thinking I might have jagged her in the mouth a few times or she's just decided she doesn't like jumping with a bit
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mares, who knows?

So anyway, I want to buy a bitless bridle as soon as pos as we've qualified for chiltern & thames rider SJ champs in September, was about to phone and say I wasnt gonna do it but now it looks like we could! So we need to start doing as much SJ as possible to get her back into it, and make sure this isnt fluke.

But obviously I cant compete in a headcollar. So whats the mildest form of bitless bridle? As I dont want to go and put a really strong hackamore on her as then we might have the same problem..
 
I love my Dr Cook - so does FB. He jumped much better in it than his pelham. Sorry, am on iPhone as Internet has gone down so keeping it brief. Personally, I don't like the action of hackamores and find the Dr Cook brilliant. I am about to buy another for my new 5 yo as he has onl been broken this year and I want to keep bits away from him if possible.
 
I have never used a Dr Cook so can't comment on those, but I think if you are worried about jabbing her I would try a scawbrig first as that doesn't have the leverage a hackamore has.

When you go to bridle your mare with a bit does she give you any clue that it is the bridle she isn't happy with? I had one mare (teeth fine blah, blah, blah) that would stick her head in the corner if she even heard a bit rattle in the tackroom. With a hackamore (I used a scawbrig and hunted in the English style one) she would put her head in the bridle for me, I could have kicked myself for not taking notice of her sooner. She just hated a bit in her mouth (and I am not heavy handed)

As you obviously are aware that you may have been interfering with her mouth I am sure you are pretty conscious of what your hands are doing now. Some horses just prefer no bit, and quite honestly, I can see their point of view, so would I over a bit of metal or rubber shoved in my mouth.

Good Luck, you can but try and it is just a question of trial and error. I don't know the rules about jumping bitless but presumably it is OK.
 
Thanks
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She seems happy enough when I bridle her but shes very laid back most of the time but she just seemed to feel a lot freer without it?

Thats why I dont want to put anything strong on her as she felt like she could go more forwards (and shes only in a loose ring french link as it is!)
 
As Enfys says, some horses are just happier with nothing in their mouths. I always felt that the bit create 'noise' for FB that made it difficult for him to concentrate on anything else except what was going on in his mouth. I was sceptical and rather nervous of going bitless but it does work for us.
 
Oh, good on you for considering a bitless bridle. I've ridden in my Dr Cook's for over three years and have never encountered a problem. I would definitely buy one - they hold their money so if it didn't suit, which I think is highly unlikely, then advertise it, you'll sell it and see most of your money back. Have a look on the DC's website where there is lots of info about the concept and lots of happy customers sharing their experiences.

xxx
 
I really rate the Dr Cook, plus you can trial it for a month to make sure it really does suit.
 
Yes, Dr Cook! No leverage or pain involved at all, just 'hugs' the head. My horse went like a dream in it and I had much better brakes than before. Try one now!!
 
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