Bitless Bridles

Amy567

Amy567

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So, my horse evades the bit quite a lot and so he knows different aids for stop and turn etc, therefore, I was thinking about trying a bitless bridle. I have a halter, and I have a dually (SP?), as we ventured into NH with one horse that seemed to be a bit of a lost cause. I know how to ride with just the one rein and a halter (though I haven't in 4/5 years), which I was getting said horse to having a rope flung around over his head etc and leading him in a halter. He took to it like a duck to water, bless him :)

I wondered what the different types of bitless bridle are? I know there are different types, but I don't quite understand how they're different, or what makes them different. Anyone able to shed some insight?

Thanks in advance :)
 
I've recently put my TB in a cross-over bitless bridle and he's taken to it really well, he would constantly avoid the bit and pull his head about in every direction, now we have none of that, i have full control (although he's a laid back boy anyway) we've hacked and jumped in ours and he seems much more content and more willing to work when he would just nap before. The cross-over bridle I found was much kinder then the hackamore for my TB's delicate face. Think I picked up a "copy" version of teh Dr Cook for about £35 on ebay and will look to invest in a Dr Cook's one (which are over £100) if all continues to go well. Their website is very informative as to how the mechanics of the bridle work in comparison to other bitless and bitted bridles.
 
my only worry is competitions. From what I understand, a lot of them don't allow bitless? Correct me if I'm wrong
 
Mmmm, to be honest info on competiting is not my forte as we just do local shows but for any dressage I was under the assumption bitless is not allowed at all, the same goes for x-country, however for jumping (aff and unaff) bitless was allowed. Maybe someone with a bit more competitive knowledge can fill in the blanks!
 
mischamoo said:
Mmmm, to be honest info on competiting is not my forte as we just do local shows but for any dressage I was under the assumption bitless is not allowed at all, the same goes for x-country, however for jumping (aff and unaff) bitless was allowed. Maybe someone with a bit more competitive knowledge can fill in the blanks!
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Yep, this is what happened with a friend of mine, who rides in a sidepull. Jumping and XC was fine, but she was disqualified in dressage (she knew in advance, just wanted to take part to show people it can be done). I also ride in a sidepull and I do love it. As it's English leather it looks just as smart as any other bridle and my pony used to also evade the bit (and set against it when he wanted to tank off!), which I why I tried a bitless.
 
He isn't a monster with a bit, but enjoys flinging his head about when you ask him to stand/stop from walk. And REALLY leans against it into a jump when he wants to. If I did ever do dressage, I could do it in a simple french link eggbutt, that's all he needs. i mainly do SJ, so it sounds like it's a possibility, I've had him for 4 weeks now, but feel that I'd rather not ruin his mouth by fighting with him constantly. Think I'll give it a go, just the halter at first to see if he responds to no bit, whilst leading he's a dream so don't see a problem, then I'll try one. Are there any places that hire them out, so I can try the slightly different types at all?
 
Bitless bridles are not dressage legal however you can SJ and BE in them (always worth double checking the type of bridle with BE or BSJA though).

The different types of bitless bridles have very different actions and feels and different horses do and don't like them.

I had a Hackamore which has a lever action that essentially squeezes the nose but they can be very harsh (harsher than a bit) if used strongly.

From what you are saying I would try some different snaffle bits (make sure you ahve the right size, girth and action) and make sure you are using your hands correctly and your horse isn't just being obstinate. There are many routes to try before going down bitless route.
 
I've recently put my horse in a sidepull bitless bridle. She wasn't awful in a bit and quite well schooled so it wasn't a schooling issue but she would still be a little iffy with it sometimes, I just didn't feel she was 100% happy. She had also on occasion tried to tank off, I could control her I just didn't like how strong I had to be with it. I rode her in a dually for a while as it's pretty much the same action as the sidepull and she went well in it, so now have a sidepull and loads of people have commented on how smart it is, don't think they realise it's a bitless
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A dually headcollar is basically a side pull bitless bride, so you can ride in that.

A scawbrig is similar to a side pull, but it tightens round the nose when the reins are used.

English hackamores give a little poll pressure as well as tightening round the nose, when the reins are used. German hackamores are a stronger version, with longer shanks and a wrapped chain rather than leather across the nose.

There is also a bosal bitless bridle. It's a heavy noseband which only connects with the horses nose and chin when the reins are used. It's used with one rein (neck reining) usually for western horses.

Cross over bridles sort of squeeze the whole head when the reins are used.
 
Thank you :) I heard that the cross over is much kinder than other bitless bridles? Though that could be people listening to a very biased inventor of Dr. Cooks haha. I'm going to try and ride without having to touch his reins all that much first and use my body to control him, I'm not sure how much pressure a horses nose can take?
 
Amy, message Trish in the LI - she does everything bitless, and would be happy to give you some advice, I'm sure. :) She's at Balmoral show at the moment, with very little internet connection, but have a chat when she gets back. xx
 
OP that sounds like a reasonable way to ride regardless if what you've got on their nose or in their mouth. It's possible to make a horse hard nosed in the same way they can be made hard mouthed. If you use something that gives you control without the horse or rider feeling the need to set themselves against it, that can only be a good thing.
 
We know how to steer and stop and go without the reins, he's an ex racer and so he's still a bit "I LEAN on this, right?" Which will come with time, and it's something I'm going to start practicing. I've gone from one that basically had no idea what any 'body aids' meant (so I taught them to her, in a fashion as I was sixteen at the time and happy to pull every now and again), I'm still getting used to it all :) But he does just seem to lean a lot, as racehorses are taught, he's not finished his retraining yet.
 
Im caught between the devil and the deep blue sea ive just had my horses teeth done and discovered shes lost a tooth so I now have to ride in a bitless. My dentist suggested a Hackamore.Ive ridden her in it for the first time today and to be honest I didn't feel as I had a lot of control.She did settle very easily but I was unsure of how much preassure to use. ive read loads about them on the internet and scared myself half to death "there cruel" "to much pressure could seriously damage your horse" I don't have any option now I have to ride with one or I give up riding. Do people recommend the Hackamore or is there anything else out there that others have used and you've found your horse has adapted to it with ease as I don't want my horse to stress aswell as me lol.....any help would be great thanks.:D
 
I found that riding a lot at home in a bitless bridle made my horse far more willing, forward going, and less likely to get upset at having a contact taken when I did use a bit for competing. I now ride in a straight bar happy mouth when I can, jointed eggbut if rules demand or I am going XC, and continue bitless at home. There is so much variety between horses, the riders and the bits available, I am sure that trial and error is a huge factor for each combination.
 
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