bitless?

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skybluepinko

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Horse has cut mouth from a happy mouth snaffle :(, and I want to give her a fortnight with nothing in her mouth (got an event early September) What's the verdict on hackamores?
 
My horse will apparently go in a bitless bridle, not that i've ever done it as they can be more severe than a bit as they have a lot of poll pressure. However, if your horse likes one and you know how to ride in it then I think it's probably a good idea to her mouth heal. I'd definately consider riding in a bitless if my horse had a cut in his mouth.
 
Why don't you try a Dr Cooks, or lookalike? I found mine on ebay. If you go onto the Dr Cooks website it will tell you all about them, sorry, not sure how to add a link.
 
I still have my original beta version of the Dr Cooks. Love it. Used it on loads of horses, including ones with all sorts of issues, never had a problem.

Have found people find it harder to get used to than the horses do though.

Not suitable for riders that use the reins for stability - but then neither is a bitted bridle..........
 
One of mine is bitless. I have a hackamore and a Dr. Cooks, both of which I like. Using a bit isn't an option on my horse as he is phobic about anything in his mouth due to a very abusive past (wouldn't even let the vet check his teeth to age him for me!). When I rescued him he came with the hackamore, but since I know they can be severe in the wrong hands (even though it's a "mild" short shanked one with no curb chain), I wanted something kinder.

I did some research and discovered the Dr. Cooks website. No-one I know used one, but I winged it and ordered one anyway.

Long story short, my horse goes beautifully in it and has done for 3 years now. My daughters and I hack, jump, do fun rides - everything.

Now I don't know how long it would take a horse to get used to going bitless after being used to being ridden in a bit, but my boy took to it immediately - literally. No teething issues or anything.

I still use the hackamore on occasion and, to be fair, he goes equally well in both.

Good luck deciding! ;)
 
My horse competed at local riding club in a Dr Cook bitless bridle the 3rd time I used it. he won the equitation & riding club horse classes. On another occasion he also got 70+% in a novice (unaff) dressage test wearing it. I know someone with a 2nd hand one for sale, discovered this AFTER I'd bought mine else I'd have had it! PM me if you want details.
 
I stopped riding with a bit for jumping and hacking - my horse LOVES it (he pushes his head into it - rather than with a bit bridle he is less keen to get his head in!) and it really makes me use my body to hold him and you really get to understand the true meaning of turn off your legs.... definitely reccomended - when i first switched it gave a different feel and so I became less dependent on the reins to do almost everything and it also means I cant catch him in the mouth on those occasional jumps when we dont quite get it right ... :-) Normal snaffle XC tho as I do need a bit more stoppage power and he can quite easily p*** off with me in the hackamore... good luck, enjoy
 
The Dr Cooks type are really good, all ours go in one and there are no braking problems. Try it in a school first and be prepared for an initial head chucking session while horse looks for the bit. Then they settle and go great.
 
I ride my horse in a hackamore when jumping and hacking - he LOVES it ... much prefers to be working from my body and legs vs my hands - definitely good for the riding it gives you a slightly different feel and makes you less "handy" - my little cahp is so agile and turns on a sixpence with the slightest of aids so it suits him brillaintly - only nowadays he is a bit too keen when hacking so I have just started riding him in a Pelham - from the ridiculous to the extreme huh!! And for jumping he loves it - his head is more free and I am much less reliant on my hands and so we work together much better - reccomended - oh, and when he realises its his hackamore he pushes his head into the bridle so I absolutly know he likes it :-) good luck
 
Nothing wrong with any sort of bit, providing you can ride with a piece of cotton between the rein and bit.
Personally, I am of the same mind as Bruce, a rope headcollar is best.
 
AndySpooner said:
Nothing wrong with any sort of bit, providing you can ride with a piece of cotton between the rein and bit.
Personally, I am of the same mind as Bruce, a rope headcollar is best.
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:cool:

I like a rope halter but do use a dr cooks bridles to ride and to drive.... when we made the choice 10 years ago what we were gonna have as headgear insurance companies did not accept rope halters as bridles :rolleyes:


not that i've ever done it as they can be more severe than a bit as they have a lot of poll pressure
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I certainly agree with regard to hackamores ...... but many of the other bitless bridles do not exert much pressure, if any, on the poll. Most dissipate any pressure over the nose and jaw area.
 
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