does anyone here ride bitless??????

B

bluelady66

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 June 2010
Messages
121
Visit site
my horse hated his bit - head down, chewed incessantly the minute his bridle was put on - terrible head shaker whilst being ridden - hes had vet out, tack checked by my very experienced instructor - teeth up to date - no problems found. So ive bough a monty roberts dually and the difference in him is amazing - just wondered if any of you do bitless?????
 
When my horse got his bit caught on a gate post and ripped his mouth , I rode my horse in an English Hackamore, and he loved it...leaned on it a bit though.
Cant do dressage in it though... I now use a hanging cheek kk bit as it fits a little higher as I did have a problem with him putting his tongue over the bit and that solved it.
 
Last edited:
I broke me horse bitless. He didn't start to wear his bit until he had the aids established. Still sometimes just ride in a headcollar. Only reason we moved onto a bit ws for a little more control at comps etc, out on busy roads and for showing.
 
I used to share a horse who had been trained to western, so we rode him in a hackamore. I never noticed any difference. I actually prefer riding western when out hacking because they tend to be a bit more laid back, due to it being a more 'hands-off' approach. Mind you, it only works if they know what you're doing - i did once end up in a tree because I was on a friends horse who didn't turn when i neck-reined :-)
 
One of mine was similar - just decided one day that he didn't like his bit. He started putting his head in the air with his lips pursed whenever I went to put the bridle on. Teeth etc fine, so I put him in a hackamore and he has been happy ever since. If we ever get around to doing any dressage I'll probably just go hc - I've never understood why they don't allow bitless as I think precision is much more difficult without a bit! Perhaps things will change one day...
 
thanks everyone - i was actually very surprised at how well he did ride in it - hes a very bolshy 7 yr old cob so i did think i was beign a bit optimistic - i saved the initial try out for our lesson last week and he was excellent - he actaully enjoyed the lesson and was much much easier to ride x
 
I jump my connemara x Tb in a hackamore as he really pulls and i can hang onto him without him shortening his stride and bouncing too much, but my stearing isn't great so I have to prepare to turn much earlier than you usually do but I do like riding bitless,
 
I have ridden bitless for about 5 years. all my horses are ridden in a rope halter or Dr Cooks bitless bridle. I avoid any kind of hackamore because i feel they can be to severe with leverage and poll pressure. If a horse it trained to come off pressure, all you need is light pressure on the nose for the horse to stop and turn.
I dont think enough people actually realise how much the bit hurts the horse. lots of horses put up with it well enough, but quite a few do try to tell their owners that it hurts. Like a horse who headshakes, tries to open his mouth and needs a flash, a horse that pulls or is hard to stop. Most people just try to find another bit, few realise that the bit in general is the problem and to make the horse comfortable its best to remove it.
But luckiy a lot more people are realising the bitless approach.
I think tho its important to teach the horse to go well and lightly in a bitless or halter. Ground work is important because it will teach the horse to be light to the nose pressure, so that when you ride the horse, they steer, stop and backup easily and lightly. too many people think its just a matter of changing bridles, then run into problems because the horse hasnt done any ground work so doesnt steer and stop well enough.
 
Have you tried a Scawbrig? It's like a bitless snaffle, as opposed to a hackamore which is like a bitless curb - I think it's much safer until rider & horse get used to the lack of a bit and lots of horses seem to go well in it.
 
I broke my youngster in bitless (although I did introduce a bit as normal part of backing) and only went to a bit as an instructor refused to teach us bitless. I stupidly agreed and Horse was less happy and actually quite spooky. He's a big, strapping draft x so he could run away with bit/bitless etc if he wanted to - no piece of hardware could stop him.

He is bitless and much happier. I have used Dr Cooks but he tended to lean so I now prefer an S Hackamore.
 
thank you everyone - my horse is in a dually halter and is doing very well with it -he still headshakes but my instructor thinks its a habit - at least i know he isnt in any pain - im so pleased my instructor has no problems with teaching us in it x
 
Jennyharvey said:
I have ridden bitless for about 5 years. all my horses are ridden in a rope halter or Dr Cooks bitless bridle. I avoid any kind of hackamore because i feel they can be to severe with leverage and poll pressure. If a horse it trained to come off pressure, all you need is light pressure on the nose for the horse to stop and turn.
I dont think enough people actually realise how much the bit hurts the horse. lots of horses put up with it well enough, but quite a few do try to tell their owners that it hurts. Like a horse who headshakes, tries to open his mouth and needs a flash, a horse that pulls or is hard to stop. Most people just try to find another bit, few realise that the bit in general is the problem and to make the horse comfortable its best to remove it.
But luckiy a lot more people are realising the bitless approach.
I think tho its important to teach the horse to go well and lightly in a bitless or halter. Ground work is important because it will teach the horse to be light to the nose pressure, so that when you ride the horse, they steer, stop and backup easily and lightly. too many people think its just a matter of changing bridles, then run into problems because the horse hasnt done any ground work so doesnt steer and stop well enough.
Click to expand...

I backed my horse in a Dr Cook bridle, have to say i love it!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top