Dually Headcollar - Riding Bitless

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Spacejet

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Hello Everybody :)

My mare has taken a dislike to her bit due to an unfortunate lesson I had with a new instructor which obviously hurt her mouth (she was VERY handsy with her) and now doesn't go forward and throws her head around whenever she has her bit in.
I rode her in her dually headcollar yesterday (reins on side rings) and she went forward alot easier, almost free'er! Steering and breaks were perfect aswell! I did actually try her in a bitless micklem before but she leaned on it and decided it was very easier to overpower :/
My question is:
What am I supposed to do in regards to contact?
Am I supposed to have any contact or let the reins hang loose?
Do I ride like normal?

New to the whole bitless thing so any tips/ideas would be great :)
 
It may be that her mouth has been badly bruised by the rough handling and that is why she is resisting a bit. If this happened recently it may be worth getting advice from a vet or even just resting her for a few days to give any bruising a chance to heal.

We had a mare that we rode in a dually for various reasons, we always rode with a slight contact without letting the reins hang loose probably less contact than when using a bit. Never had a problem with control even when she was going hell for leather across a field, the knack is though not to hang onto the reins when you want to pull up, the dually works on pressure and release so it's just a question of give and take with your reins when slowing down.

A word of caution though, if you decided to continue to ride her in the dually, check with your insurance that you will still be covered! There are some companies that won't cover you in the event of any accidents as they deem the rider not to be in full control unless you are riding with a bridle and bit!
 
As the person above said, get her checked by a vet before doing anything.
She'll most likely be fine in a headcollar for now, it sounds like she's only going against the bit because of her injured mouth. All the horses I know who have been ridden in even just a normal headcollar have reacted very well, with the owners able to continue with dressage, jumping or even just hacking.
Once, (if) you've sorted out her mouth with the vet, ruled out any underlying problems then hopefully you'll be able to gradually introduce her to a standard bridle and bit again, if you want (some horses end up just preferring a headcollar!). Take it slowly though, for the sake of the horse. Good luck.
 
As the Dually tightens on the nose when you put a feel on your reins I'd suggest that it isn't appropriate to ride in a conventional "English" contact. I'd say you need to ride on a casual rein and only take up the slack when it means something, then release again.
Hopefully your insurance company will reassure you about insurance, some companies are fine.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice.
I'll get the vet out asap, just to make sure everything is OK in her mouth.
I've rode her a few times in the school now, and I did actually realise that constant pressure does not work in the Dually! Had to gently 'pump' my hands to get the same effect as 'half-halting' and to get flexion. As breaks are very good in the school, I am going to attempt to take her out for a nice controlled hack later.. She is very used to her Dually as I use it for groundwork and understands how it works. :)
I have contacted my insurance company just waiting for them to reply, if there is no respone by this evening before I hack I guess another round in the school will do!
Thanks again everyone.
 
Interesting thread and relevant to me, my 4 yr old cob has started fighting his bit, probably due to teething (EDT due) I intend using his dually as a bridle for now, just so he forgets any discomfort due to his teeth
 
I rode my made yesterday on a hack with just her dually on and she pulled up better than normal! Very impressed.. Only thing is now she realises she can actually eat with this on and every bush we pass has a chunk taken out of it!
Insurance covers for bitless as well as long as there's adequate control :)
Would recommend to try it even if its just for a plod round the school! :)
 
I would just have a look in the mouth to check for redness or bruising due to bad hands ......... it sould wear off in a few days, EDT told me to rub on some stuff, I can't recall what, it was for human use
 
If you are looking for a classical bitless bridle , google the Vienna cavesson . It has no metal in the nose band and Is made of padded , flexible leather . :)
 
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