Bitless bridles

[sapphire210]

I am keen to try a bitless bridle, my mare is currently always ridden on the second ring of a gag purely as at faster paces she can just take off and be really strong. Can anyone advise me where to start with a bitless bridle and whether they have found these to be a good option.

Thanks x

 

[jinglejoys]

Malaga's always been ridden bitless as he was started in a halter hackamore but he has always been trained and we practise our one rein stop every day

Hes done several 100hrs without a bit and if I wanted I could introduce a bit but if it ain't broke I'm not fixing it we are happy with things the way they are

 

[miss_wilson]

I ride my girl in a gag and have just started hacking in a hackamore with major sucess!! did try the dr cook but not quite strong enough! I found the german hackamore too severe!
Might be worth trying an english hackamore, i just popped it on and tried in the school, she was much happier immediately!
good luck

 

[Trix98]

I once rode a very forwards horse in a Dr Cooks bitless, he was a little bit crackers/unpredictable and was a violent headshaker. But as soon as I changed into a bitless he was a dream! Worked nicely forwards, good brakes and I managed to hack him out in it with no problems! (Other than him being a fidget to stand still). I think they're great but only suit some horses, and I feel that this gelding only went so well in it because he probably hadn't had the dentist out for a while!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

A side pull is the mildest. It's like attaching a set of reins to a headcollar. A scawbrig is similar but tightens round the nose. A Dr cook tightens over the whole head. A bosal is loose on the nose until you take up a contact, both reins attach under the chin so you neck rein. A hackamore has nose, curb and poll action.

All bitless bridles you'll need to ride off your legs and seat. If you rely heavily on your hands you'll have trouble steering, except in a side pull. If you can't get your horse on the bit in a bitless bridle, but you could before, you've been doing it wrong relying on your hands too much.

 

[Flight]

I tried my mare in a german hackamore and she loves it. She was rather annoyed to start with that she couldn't get her own way and charge off at jumps but after a few times in it she has settled really nicely and is jumping the best she ever has. She has always had teeth back and tack checked regularly so there was no reason for her to be silly and strong either.

 

[pistolpete]

Mine going well in a conventional hackamore too. Always very fidgety in a bit chewed and gnashed. Lovely still head now. Good brakes too!