Bitless; nose pressure not poll?

Lancelot

Lancelot

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I'm thinking of trying bitless with my boy. Through groundwork I am acutely aware he responds far more happily to nose pressure than to poll pressure. So my question is what bridle might suit him best with that in mind? Hackamore, Dr cook, micklem, other? Thanks 😀
 
Sidepull as Faracat says. English jumping hackamore is basically a rigid noseband, action is the same as a sidepull, just looks better than the rather clunky American style sidepulls.

Not sure about Dr Cook as they work on the side of the face and the jaw.

Mechanical hackamores have varying poll pressure depending on the metalware.
 
Another option would be the Orbitless bridle on the setting that gives nose-chin pressure, it can be used both as a sidepull or as a hackamore like that. (I don't represent them in any way, but I swapped to this bridle recently and it is my horses' favourite now.)
 
Gosh, it's as confusing as bits lol!!

We've been doing tons of groundwork in the dually so maybe I should start there and research this a ton more!!
 
I popped my hand under the poll piece of my boys cross under bridle recently and was surprised just how much poll pressure it exerted....
 
I use my Micklem as a side pull bitless and my mare loves it. The Micklem is a good option because you can always opt to use it a cross over bitless or with a bit and the model I have can also be used as a lunge cavesson.
 
Loads of different options! As others from your description I'd avoid a dr cooks or a metal hackamore. I have a Lightrider bridle, that can be used as a side pull, or how it was designed.

Others you may want to look at are the indian bosal, or maybe a rope hackamore.
 
I would try the most gentle one you can get (sidepull pull or something) to start with.
I ride in a hackamore. (Tried a bitless bridle- but she galloped down the road in it and hated it :s) I have a 'little s' one for everyday and an english one if I am riding in a group/fun rides etc and need sharper brakes. I've stuck my finger under both and can't see much poll pressure on either to be honest. The English has a strong muzzle vice action though, whereas the 's' just puts pressure on the front of the nose, nothing happening at the back as far as I can tell.

I did see an interesting video once about a theory than poll pressure stuff with shanks, actually doesn't really pull on the poll at all, because the headpiece gets lifted up slightly by the top of the shank as it turns. (They had an instrument measuring it on the cheekpiece) can't remember where I found this though!
 
A micklem bridle experts less poll pressure than a standard bridle .
A comfort piece like you have in the Albion KB's bridle will be in between the two .
A hanging cheek snaffle will exert very little pressure verses a standard snaffle although I have never had success in getting them to fit on a micklem bridle however I think that was an issue with that horses shape .
There are lots of options other than bitless .
Some horses need a very cut away head piece .
It's worth looking at something like a dyon difference bridle as well I have never had one but if I had a horse with a real poll pressure issue that where I would start after all the standard stuff .
 
huskydamage said:
I would try the most gentle one you can get (sidepull pull or something) to start with.
I ride in a hackamore. (Tried a bitless bridle- but she galloped down the road in it and hated it :s) I have a 'little s' one for everyday and an english one if I am riding in a group/fun rides etc and need sharper brakes. I've stuck my finger under both and can't see much poll pressure on either to be honest. The English has a strong muzzle vice action though, whereas the 's' just puts pressure on the front of the nose, nothing happening at the back as far as I can tell.

I did see an interesting video once about a theory than poll pressure stuff with shanks, actually doesn't really pull on the poll at all, because the headpiece gets lifted up slightly by the top of the shank as it turns. (They had an instrument measuring it on the cheekpiece) can't remember where I found this though!
Click to expand...

Where can you buy a little S hackamore in the UK, please?
 
I used to have the exact Zilco S hackamore - be aware that the nose piece might not fit really big, drafty heads. My boy managed to grow out of it and the metal parts started pressing into his cheeks. Apart from that, it was a nice piece of tack.
 
Thanks so much for all the replies!!

I've purchased a micklem multibridle as it seems to offer a selection of options, including bitted, so it should (hopefully) give us a good idea of what works and what doesn't. Now to try it :)
 
Lancelot, I've just found your thread and think you're about a month ahead of me in trying out a Micklem for its bitless options. How are you getting on? Which option are you using? Love to hear what' happening. :)

J
 
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