Dr Cook's Bitless

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rcm_73

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Just wondering if anyone on here uses one?

Thinking ahead to getting back on my mare (currently on field rest) and from what I've been reading about Dr Cook's bridle it sounds like it could suit her. She's 16, TB, highly strung, headshakes, jogs almost constantly and tries to fire off on grass, rushes jumps and well er just about everything!

Is currently 'off' with spavin but vet has said I should be working her lightly on bute to speed up recovery. I've battled for two years with different bits, when I bought her she was ewe necked and ridden in a hackamore and I've just been reading up on the bitless website and it sounds like it could be worth a go even if it is a bit pricey.
 
I think it depends on your horse - I found the braking was very dodgy in these bridles compared to an english hackamore.

However some people seem to get on well with them.
 
I've never tried one and my only experience of them wasn't particularly inspiring. One of the riding schools have started using them on all their horses and ponies and have stated that they make a huge difference but the horses are only ever ridden in arenas and never outside in the open. Anyway some of the kids hired a few of the cobs to go to a pony club rally which was held in a 20 acre field. I was teaching in one corner of the field and these kids were in the ride beside me and the 3 riding school cobs in their Dr Cook bitless bridles took off and galloped full pelt around the field, the kids having absolutely no control. It was quite funny as there were about 80 horses/ponies on the field all perfectly well behaved and these cobs were just doing laps of the field, they eventually stopped when they got tired! The kids riding them were ok, they just got a lot of slagging for turning up with 'headcollars'. It wasn't a good advertisement for either the riding school or Dr Cook bitless bridles!
 
I use one on my TB, have done for over a year now - he hated a bit in his mouth and would throw his head in the air. He is far more relaxed in the bitless - I have never *touches wood* had a problem with brakes or steering - he is very voice responsive anyway. I have galloped across a field with him and managed to stop! He still prats about every now and then, but overall is chilled out and happy - I think the bitless certainly helps.

you can try them on a 30 day return, so all you lose is the postage if you end up sending it back. Personally I would never put a bit back in my ned's mouth.
 
I use one for driving with and I know a number of people who have used them on big horses that headshake and pull etc. These people have had huge sucess with them, and not one of them has had any braking problems. However, they do not suit all horses. I would give one a try using the 30 day money back guarantee.
 
My friend has just got one after getting some advice from people on here. Her horse is a headshaker too, and she's hoping this will help. She says brakes haven't been a problem and it is encouraging her to use her body rather than her rein to turn him.
However, if your horse has a bit of spark about her, I'm not sure you'll do so well in a Dr Cook. My mare sounds identical to yours and having seen the bridle, there's no way I'd try it! Maybe we could both try riding out in a headcollar with a rope on each side and see how we get on! LOL!
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Funny you should say that, our mum & daughter pony was a nightmare when we first got her, she would bolt and hollow from any contact. When at home (and only in an enclosed safe place) my daughter would tighten the noseband on her headcollar and ride her with two lead ropes - she would always stop and worked beautifully. More is less principle I suppose. She now only wears a myler comfort snaffle, cant remember the last time we had no brakes. Might be worth a try!
 
I've used one on my Arab mare for the last year. She hates having anything in her mouth and headshakes like mad. With the Dr Cook she's been 100% better, and i find my brakes are even better in this than a bit because she isn't fighting me. I think the Dr Cook suits her because she is so mega sensitive and panics with a bit in her mouth, but happily accepts the nose/cheek pressure of the Dr Cook, i even compete her at hunter trials and show jumping and would never go back to using a bit. I agree it probably won't work for every horse, but with the 30day money back offer I would definately recommend getting one and try it in the confines of an arena/field and I'm sure you'll be able to decide if its going to work for you whilst keeping safe.
 
I use one, I wasn't sure to begin with. My horse was nervous , a headshaker and was always in a rush, now I wouldn't use anything else. I don't have problems with brakes. It is a question of trust. If you trust your horse enough to leave his head alone his stress levels will come down and using it isn't a problem.

I got mine from www.bitlessequitation.co.uk. (the bridles are cheaper here). The lady who runs this site is really helpful and suggested useful exercises to get me started.

Have fun
 
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