Going bitless

[RachelB]

Those of you who have gone bitless - why did you choose to go down that route rather than keep searching for the right bit? I am totally at a loss as to what to try on my mare (well I'd like to try a KK Correction bit but I don't really have that much money to buy one!) and considering I would trust her to hack in a headcollar I wondered if I might give it a try going bitless. I can't school her issues out as she isn't allowed to school (old tendon injury) so I need to find a quick fix solution.
Basically her issue is that she will swap between leaning on the bit and fiddling around (shaking the mouthpiece of her loose ring lozenge) just behind my contact. I do as many transitions as I can and have tried really riding up into the contact but her response is to lean until I leave her alone again to slop along!
I just wondered really if it might be worth giving some sort of bitless bridle a go - but which one do I go for? I have even less of a clue about bitless bridles than I do about actual bitting!

Any advice/comments on how your horse liked going bitless would be appreciated!

 

[hadfos]

Put my lad in an english hackamore because of wolf teeth,was a while before dentist could come and i wanted to keep on with his flatwork(he was only young at the time,and it didnt take him long to realise the steering had changed)!
He went absolutely fine in it,and i wouldnt have any qualms about using it again if i had too

1 very important point with any hackamore,is Very good hands...not implying you havnt,just stating what others will probably mention also,lol!!

 

[Chico Mio]

I changed because I knew there was something the matter with his mouth, probably his teeth but I had no hope of finding a dentist or vet that would do his teeth where I lived. He also has a tongue like an overstuffed duvet. I changed to a Jeffries hanging cheek french link revolver snaffle and he didn't like the jointed bit at all so I gave up on bits and bought a Dr Cook. Everyone said I was mad and he would run off with me but in fact he turned into the most laid back dude who finally seemed to be comfortable. I suspect all his 'naughty' and 'strong' behaviour was down to trying to evade contact and pain. We've never looked back. Recently I have used it on my friends mare who was a head tosser as I am aways worried I have heavy hands and thought that, being used to the Dr Cook, I might pull on her mouth too much. Head tossing stopped and the mare has ceased to be a fussy fidget arse. For me, I would always ride bitless if I could get away with it and since I don't do dressage competitively there's no problem.

 

[mintaka04]

Dr Cooks, definately.
You will be able to find a cheaper version of Dr Cooks on e-bay. A crossover/crossunder bridle is what you want.
I changed to bitless on a whim and have never looked back.
I do endurance in bitless and the horse is much more relaxed and I don't worry about removing her teeth if she gets a bit strong.
The horse is much more likely to listen to my body weight aids and generally I feel I have much more communication with the bitless.
If I were you I would definately give it a try.
The picture of me riding past the hay bales in my siggy is bitless, as is my avatar. It shows your horse can perform just as well without a bit as with one.

 

[zeuscleoharmony]

I bought my youngster just over three years ago and he was ridden in a Happy Mouth snaffle. He just didn't seem right, bit stiff, tossing his head around and I read about the DR Cooks and thought I would give it a go. I bought an inexpensive DC lookalikee. For us it was the BEST decision and we have never looked back. He is relaxed and calm. As an experiment I popped a bit back in his mouth and he immediately stiffened, was all uptight and tried to buck when I asked for canter, so off I popped, took it off his bridle and rode home with the reins attached to his noseband. For us, it is brilliant. Why don't you give it a go. You have the added bonus of knowing that you could probably ride in a headcollar so you seem to be halfway there anyway. I would love to know how you are doing. Go on Dr Cooks website and read the testimonials - they will convince you xxx Good Luck xx PS. I bought mine on ebay, a leather one too for around £30.00. xx

 

[RachelB]

Thanks guys - I've heard of the Dr Cooks bridle but never known much about it (Maiden is the first horse I can't live my dressage dream on so obviously I always needed a bit before!)
I'll do some research and maybe give one a go!

 

[Ellies_mum2]

I would recommend a Dr Cooks too. Ellie went through a phase of taking hold of the bit and p1$$ing off so we changed to a bitless and she was so much happier in it. So were we as we had steering and brakes back

 

[Donkeymad]

I also recommend a Dr Cook. I started driving one of my mares in one, due to the fact she has a massive lump on the corner of her mouth, where it is probable that she had her mouth split open and not treated (she came from abroad somewhere). No matter what I tried, she was always unhappy, so I tried the Dr Cook and have never looked back.