Help - Bit or Bitless???

[Pipersky]

Can anyone offer any advice....

I have taken on a new horse - a 17yr old Mare who hates having her bridle taken off... she throws her head up in the air and ends up with the bit stuck which makes her panic - I have had her teeth checked and all are ok - her previous owner says that she has done this from time to time and that she thinks it relates to a time when maybe her teeth were not ok?!

Today she yanked so hard despite me holding her nose (which has been working) and has managed to injure my arm and freak herself out (

I am now wondering whether or not to go bitless....


What I'd like advice on is;

a) should I go bitless or is 17 too old for this much of a drastic change

b) if I change should I go hackamore or cross-over

c) are there any ideas for getting her to stop this head-throwing freak-out

Thanks in advance for any help

Px

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

Try the Dr Cooke bitless, they have a 30 day money back garentee. I think my mare was 13/14 wen I changed her to it, and haven't looked back. Still have our moments, but a million times better. I also use it on any other horses I ride ( as long as owner happy or not bothered), as I feel much safer than with a bit now. U can try a beets synthetic as they r cheaper, but my friend reccomended putting a sheepskin cover on nose band to soften pressure, but I went for padded leather. Good luck. X

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

Beeta synthetic!

 

[La Fiaba]

Have you tried taking the bridle off in pieces? eg. open cheek piece and take out bit, then take off rest of bridle?

If she otherwise goes well in a bit I would stick with that if possible. If not possible then which bitless you use depends on several factors is she strong/hard to turn/dislikes pressue on the nose/poll/whole head? - there is a good comparison website somewhere but I can't remember the site!