Bitless?

[Kirstd33]

So yesterday I had a bit fitter out to my little coblet who I’ve owned for 8 months and during that time I’ve never found a bit that he keeps his tongue the right side of. I must have tried 8-10 different bits, different nose bands, micklem bridle etc with no success so was looking forward to seeing the professional yesterday. In short he has a fleshy tongue in a small mouth, low palate, large grass muscle, some awkwardly placed molars and sharp bars to boot, so a bit fitting challenge and everything she tried he just popped his tongue over within seconds! At the end of the 2 hrs she asked me if I’d consider a Bitless bridle, so she popped on a flower hackamore which was too big but just to get an idea before she comes back next week with a smaller size to try? I guess I’m asking has anyone had any success in switching to a Bitless bridle in an older pony, he’s 15 this year? We don’t compete so have no worries there, just hack around and do low level, fun clinics with friends. Any advice gratefully received

 

[SEL]

Mine was around 10 but she had a soft palate issues which surgery couldn't sort and struggles with a bit - she was getting very distressed.

Hacking not an issue in the hackamore but I miss the bit for schooling.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I used the micklem bitless on a thoroughbred for 8 years without any issues, in fact I would say it was a complete game changer for him. Like you we just hacked around.
It was just a really expensive headcollar with reins in the end up

 

[Highmileagecob]

Yes, definitely! My cob was around 16 y.0. same issues as you, never comfortable in a bit, and spent more time evading the bit than actually listening. Tried a Dr Cook type, and he got the hang of the different pressure within a week. We never looked back and he stayed bitless until I retired him at the age of 27.

 

[Anna Clara]

I restarted my dressage horse bitless at 14. He loves it and picked it up straight away. Now seems to be telling me he loves a neck rope more

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[MarvelVillis]

I restarted my dressage horse bitless at 14. He loves it and picked it up straight away. Now seems to be telling me he loves a neck rope more

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Wow he's lovely! Can I ask what bitless bridle you use? I've been thinking about trying one with my gelding

 

[Anna Clara]

@MarvelVillis its a cheap from one horze. I just do find the noseband a little stiff and thin, will probably upgrade at some point, but for £25 I can’t complain!

 

[ihatework]

Nice example of bitless Anna Clara

 

[Anna Clara]

Nice example of bitless Anna Clara

He makes it very easy! I’ll never put a bit back in as he’s so happy, which means we will never compete but oh well, don’t really like early mornings that much anyway

 

[Fjord]

My fjord was 21 I think, when I made the move to bitless and finally realised she didn't have to pull and that we had reliable brakes.

 

[Kirstd33]

Thanks everyone, so this afternoon I was going for a short hack off road on coblet with my daughter on foot leading a friends little girl on her section A so I took coblet’s bit off his micklem and used it like a head collar! Absolutely fine, little coblet was ace, we had steering, brakes when I asked him to stand to let the section A trot on and then we cantered to catch her up when again we had brakes to pull up in plenty of time behind her. I’m so proud of him and it looks like we’re going to be fine Bitless. I am however ordering a gentle flower Hackamore as the bit/bridle fitter wasn’t a fan of his micklem so can’t wait for it to arrive now and get going.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Good luck with bitless. It certainly turned a horse of mine around, another one with a very odd mouth including a big tongue and very low palate. Almost overnight he stopped fighting every aid and turned into a soft and responsive ride. For those that don't need or want a bit it can be a revelation taking them bitless.

 

[Kirstd33]

Good luck with bitless. It certainly turned a horse of mine around, another one with a very odd mouth including a big tongue and very low palate. Almost overnight he stopped fighting every aid and turned into a soft and responsive ride. For those that don't need or want a bit it can be a revelation taking them bitless.

Can I just say you are one of the kindest most supportive members who also gave me great advice over my recent stabling/livery debacle, it’s been a huge learning curve this first time owning but every challenge is teaching me to listen to my gut and most of all my pony and also well meaning advice obvs!

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Oh wow! Thank you so much @Kirstd33 that is very kind of you to say so, I don't often get such a lovely compliment on here and I appreciate it very much.

 

[PurBee]

Many of your one liners @Mrs. Jingle have given me pause for thought and opening to different perspectives. I think i love this forum for that generally, to get a better idea from various backgrounds and experiences…it’s a really valuable resource for learning!

 

[Landcruiser]

My first horse Pat arrived with me aged about 15 along with a fierce long shank Argentinian bit, which I immediately swapped for a very mild short shank western as he'd clearly learned to evade it anyway by putting his chin on his chest and just keeping on going. He was better in the milder bit, which I later switched to a snaffle. He still fought it and constantly ran out through his shoulders too. I switched to a Dr Cook as a leap of faith - and he was utterly transformed. Instantly had perfect brakes and steering. He never wore a bit again in his life, but he broke my heart every time I put a bridle on him, because he'd open his mouth for a bit that wasn't there. I rode him in an English hackamore eventually, on the loosest of reins, because I found the Dr Cook a bit sticky on the release.