Change to bitless - amazing progess report -also in CR

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Gemsie

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Hi Everyone,

I posted a couple of weeks ago asking if anyone has tried their fussy mouthed horses bitless and after a number of replies I decided to take the plunge and ordered a Dr Cooks Bitless bridle for my mare.

The background (in brief) is that she has always been quite tense, stressy, very sensitive, but over the last few months had turned into a bucking, rearing, tense, stressed total nightmare! I was fairly sure the issue lies within the mouth/bit as she has never been happy bitted since I had her, have tried all sorts of bits but she really never seemed relaxed or happy with anything.

The bitless arrived 9 days ago, the first time I rode in it I have to say I was pretty terrified, worried about having any control over my girl etc but the difference in her is absolutely unbelievable - to be honest its so unbelievable had I not been the one riding her in it I would not have believed the change.

She is now relaxed, works in a long loose frame (this was pretty much unachievable in the bitted bridle) her gaits all feel so much more loose and free, I have schooled in it, hacked in it and jumped in it - and she is a a complete joy. (prior to this bridle her behaviour had become so erratic I was too worried to hack or jump).

Even small things like she now does not turn away from me when I produce the bridle, and she is happy to be caught by me (I used to have to get my mum to catch her as if she saw me coming and knew she was being ridden she would not be caught)

So - my thoughts are to stay bitless for a while to reschool her and gain her confidence, but obviously I need to re introduce the bit a few months down the line for dressage - although if she stays this comfortable I will stay bitless for jumping and XC.

Her teeth are fine, but was wondering if I should perhaps have the vet check her head / mouth in case she has a physical reason for the reaction to the bit? or do you think it could be psycological?

Has anyone ever had a horse like this? I would be interested to know if anyone has had a horse with some sort of physical or mental issue with the bit that they were able to overcome?

I will arrange for the other half to take some pics of her bitless - she works in the correct outline and i feel like we are finally becoming a team

If anyone has any thoughts or comments I would love to hear them,

Thanks

Gem
 
Im glad to hear that the Dr cooks bridle is working for the both of you. I ride mostly in a rope halter as it suits my style of riding, but i do have a Dr Cooks bridle in case want to compete in jumping comps.
I wish there was more people like you willing to take a chance on the unknown. It can be quite scary riding without a bit, so well done in taking the plunge.
I dont think people realise how many training issues are directly related to the bit, and that by removing the bit how much better and happier there horses could be.
I havnt ridden in a bit for about 5 years, and i never intend on riding my own horses in one. They just go so much better without one. Ive reschooled pullers in a rope halter, bolters and even backed horses in a halter. Its actually easier because the control is on the not so sensitive nose as apposed to the sensitive mouth. Horses seem to prefer this, as long as its done correctly.

Have you ever heard of the Micklem multi bridle? As far as i know its dressage legal. It has a piece that connects the bit to the noseband, so although you have the bit, the pressure is being applied to the nose as well, and not just the mouth. I think a lot of horses would like not having all control coming from the mouth.

Its such a shame that you cant yet choose to do dressage and showing in a bitless, so i dont bother with these. i dont think any one or any competition will make me ever put a bit in my horses mouth.
I do want to try to gatecrash a WH comp someday and see if i can enter without being eligable for a prize. You never know i guess.
Best of luck with your horse, and happy riding.

ps, as for the other issues, i think the reason she dislikes the bit is because it hurts her. Some horses are much more vocal about things hurting, others just tend to grin and bear it i guess.
She may have physical issues, so may be worth checking with the vet. But it may also just be that she doesnt like a hunk of metal in her mouth.
 
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Pleased to hear that it's going well for you Gem. I agree with you that it's a good idea to stay bitless for a while to regain her confidence, even if it means that dressage has to take a back seat for a long while - surely the horse's well being is more important than the potential to win a rosette?

Just a thought - you ask about getting the vet out to check her. Well, I can't see any harm in doing that at all - but has she had her teeth done regularly/recently? Your EDT too may be able to identify if there are any problems emanating from the teeth.

I'm about to give bitless a try too for one of my endurance horses. He's so super fit and keen to go when we take part in a ride that he's leaning on the bit and it's now starting to make his mouth sore. Can't have that, so have decided to see if the bitless option will work for him too (just worried that I may not have any brakes!).

Hope it continues to go well for you Gem.
 
excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!
My horse was just the same - back, teeth, saddle checked - but he hated beign tacked up
Fought all the way - chewed, threw head terribly - was horrid. I tried a flymask, running martingale, allsorts with my instructor.
I bought a dually halter and he transformed totally - he responded perfectly and actaually enjoyed being ridden.
We used this for 3 weeks and my instructor suggested putting his ordinary bridle back on yesterday.
Must admit i didnt see why - i thought hed got straight back to bing silly - but shes very experienced so i tacked him up as she suggested.
he was an angel!!!!!!!!!!1
No fighting to put it on, he worked wonderfully in the school!
We dont know why - are absoluteley baffled but im just so pleased this worked
Good luck to you and your horse xxxxx
 
Thanks for both of your replies, I have never heard of a Micklem bridle so will definately look into that. I will give it a few months as I want to completely re school her first.

I have never ridden bitless before - but figured I had to try something new - was kinda a last resort for me really - was in a state of real desparation because I wanted to bond with my girl so much but we could never get past the rut we were stuck in.

She has seen the her EDT recently and he could find no issues with her teeth/ mouth - I am considering a second opinion on this.

Faro - I know exactly why you feel apprehensive about brakes - I was very worried about this - but I have found that I can actually slow down, steer and stop better - as she is not constantly fighting my hands. I really would take the plunge and try it, 2 weeks ago i would never have really considered it - but already I can see a huge change in my mare.

Please do let me know if you go for it, and how you get on - I would be very interested :)

Thanks again,

Gem
 
Wow - thanks Narkymare - glad you have had such a positive change! gives me hope that I will eventually be able to work my girl in a bitted bridle!

TBH the only reason it matters to me is that I event - if I could do the dressage phase without the bit I wouldnt even be worried about reschooling her in a bitted bridle!

I have had some very strange looks for other riders out hacking - no one has asked about the bitless yet but am sure they will at some point :)
 
yw xxx
I dont know about competitions but my insurance (petplan) does cover me for hacking out bitless - all are different so i rang and checked, not all do.

But yes - hes had about 4 weeks unbitted - maybe he just needed a break, i dont know lol just glad it worked
Good luck!!!!!!! Let us know how you get on xxx
 
I had very similar issues with my mare when I first got her. After trying many different bits,different exercises, teeth checked etc I thought s*d it, I'll try something completely different!:D and rode her in her halter. There was a complete transformation in her movement, attitude & willingness to work. I bought a Dr Cooks & we haven't looked back! At the end of the day you have to go with whats in your horses best interest & balls to what other peoples perceptions of bitless bridles are.:D

Regarding insurance, SEIB are not concerned with me riding bitless. Their words to me were "its up to you what tack you put on your horse":cool:

Good luck & well done for thinking outside the box!:D
 
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