bitless bridles

jackessex

jackessex

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hi i am thinking of trying my chap in a bitless,maybe a dr cooks or similar he can be fairly spooky and i am wondering if i would have enough control to safely hack him etc,he has some pretty serious teeth probs at the mo,so while it is being sorted would like to carry on riding any experience would be appreciated!!
 
My mare is ridden in a Dr Cooks, no problems with control. She is a spooky so and so and even in the early days when she would spin and go from 0-60 in a second, I had no problems stopping her.:)
 
Ron is strong out hacking in company, and I still have enough control in a Scawbrig like this one. I use it if he's got a sore mouth or just for a change sometimes.

He doesn't like it because he can't lean on my hands, but it gives me enough control!
 
I use a Hackamore, not great for lateral control if horse spins etc but brake wise and for her comfort I would recommend it, she has gone from practically rearing when trying to put her bridle on to lowering her head for you, I would like to try a Dr Cooks and am waiting for one to come up on fleabay.

X
 
I would say that "control" is a subjective thing and not one that can be an absolute..... whether a bit (and what ever bit) or bitless ( and whiatever bridle) I think we would all agree that we never have absolute control ;)

I suppose I would phrase it that a bitless bridle can give you as much communication / brakes / steering as your relationship / training allows ;).

If its something you are using for the first time just because of the teeth issues then you might have to consider a period of adjustment for you both as it will be a different sensation / cue for him..... especialy as you say he is "spooky".



Also depends where in the mouth he is having problems as the nosebands on some bitless bridles can still put pressure round the jaw...... and if your chap has sharp edges on the cheek sides of the teeth then there could still be a pain issue as the pressure might cause rubbing.
 
I rode my mare in a Dr Cook's for 3 years and now ride her in a snaffle and I wouldn't say there is much difference control wise - if a horse really wants to go somewhere it will go, irrespective of what you are hanging on to, so I don't think you should have any problem with a bitless that you don't have now.
 
Yes another vote for Dr Cooks, used it now for over 2 years and is my main source of bridle, i use it for schooling, hacking and showjumping. I use snaffle/Dr bristol for xc/funrides though due to my mare being a little fiesty..........
 
thanks,he has severe gum desease on both bottom rows so is waiting to have gaps drilled in his teeth to open the gaps up :(
as i said his teeth are a bit of a mess poor boy,he has no sharp edges just the gum desease and a fractured tooth at the very back.but i wondered if the way the straps sit on dr cooks if they will hurt him as he has a lot of pain in his gums?more info appreciated please???
 
A micklem multi bridle (the medium control option) might work. It is 'apparently' designed to not put pressure on the sensitive points of the teeth. It has a milder option where the pressure is like a headcollar with reins then a medium control where it tightens under jaw and then a dr cooks approach. I never really got the dr cooks bridle and felt that my mare wouldn't like the all over head tightening.

Must say that I have no control issues at all in my mare bitless and she could be strong in a bit and plus she is now much lighter in the hand and more responsive to seat and leg aids and happier.

It is pricey but I like the fact you can use it with a bit without using a different bridle. I for example have hacked bitless to lessons etc and just buckled the bit on when needed - better than carrying two bridles! And the change doesn't seem to confuse her at all.
 
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jackessex said:
thanks,he has severe gum desease on both bottom rows so is waiting to have gaps drilled in his teeth to open the gaps up :(
as i said his teeth are a bit of a mess poor boy,he has no sharp edges just the gum desease and a fractured tooth at the very back.but i wondered if the way the straps sit on dr cooks if they will hurt him as he has a lot of pain in his gums?more info appreciated please???
Click to expand...

Some one took my mare of the yard previously to buying a bitless bridle and cut inside her mouth so couldnt bit her therefore bought a bitless bridle. I bought an imitation Dr Cooks for £25 because i didnt want to fork out lots of money if she didnt like it or i didnt get along with it. Have to be fair im slowly replacing all my bridle with the leather Dr Cooks one. Im not sure how it would affect your horses gums but why dont you try an imitation as i did to see if it works. The straps do cross underneath and tighten under the bottom jaw so I dont know what effect you. Sorry!!!!
 
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