bitless???

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iloveCharlie5

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Hi!
My mare is 16 now and i've had her for a year, in this time shes always been very heavy on my hands, she leans on the bit and for some time she was in a double bridle. However, recently she has taken to bolting, and even though the lady who rides her for me when i have school had her in a swales, she still went ballistic and bolted with her. She isnt scared or in pain, and i'm at my wits ends because i'd love to be able to ride her in a very mild snaffle bit and for her to be light and responsive-when i think we're getting somewhere she bolts and i have to go back to a strong bit. I've heard a lot about bitless bridles such as the Dr. Cooks, would this be something i could try? She works very well on the ground in her rope halter, and since she has such a hard mouth I wondered whether taking a bit out completely could be the answer?
Thanks!
 
Malaga was taught bitless in a rope hackamore he may have a bit later but I'm not into finess so he may never have one at all.I'm having too much fun learning the skill of riding without needing a bit.The point is its not another gadget there's a lot of training involved :D
 
Mark Rashid suggests the rockin s bits which he feels horses seem to prefer as sits slightly differently in the mouth. I have a youngster (rising 5) and I've only ever ridden him in a string silversands hackamore (rope halter, rope reins, spare 12ft rope) and I'm actually wanting to go into a bit but worried that if he did bolt I'd revert back to yanking on two reins and really hurt his mouth. I loaned an ex-racehorse and after spending a yr just doing groundwork almost starting again I rode her in a rope halter and it was the only thing I felt safe in as I knew if she did suddenly get panicked and go I could bend her head round and stop. There would have been now way you'd have paid me to ride in a bit after I realised how out of control I felt in it.

The only thing I have found with my stocky cob youngster is if he did get scared (and I don't in all honesty think I've done enough groundwork with him) he wouldn't be as easy to emergency stop with head bending/one rein stopping, partly as thicker set neck but mostly not enough prep training. Also may have been the one time he did bold we were next to canal so couldnt emergency bend as end up in water. If he's calm/normal mode! I stroke him and he'll slow done or stop. Problem occurred when on a tow path and a goose came at us as too narrow to bend to a stop and he would respond to stroking... I jumped off as he small and then he stopped..

If you good on ground, which sounds like you are then give it a go, after lots of head bending from ground so supple, small area and circles first so prepared to bend in and stop if needed.

Best wishes, Hannah
 
I have a dr bristol bitless bridle. I used it on my pony who takes off with excitement. I found the brakes fantastic but struggled with the steering.
 
I've ridden bitless for years. I don't find the Dr Cook works that well for my horse - I don't feel it's anything more than a headcollar, though many people swear by them. I find the english hackamore offers a lot of control
 
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