How do you know if its time to go bitless?

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almrc

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Hi All

Without trying to go into too much detail on an open forum, the horse I am riding gets very strong in canter. He pulls against the bit but does not open his mouth when doing so. Walk and trot is fine but canter he gets very strong. Now, I haven't been with him for all the time in the past so I don't know whats gone on, but he used to be ridden happily in a snaffle. He came to me in a waterford. I went back to basics re-schooled etc but still strong in the mouth. I now have him in a myler combination bit which works well as he likes the pressure (we use rope halters for ground work, pressure release etc) but he still pulls and takes the bit but is eventually stoppable. I think the leather strap is a little loose so I am putting an extra hole in it. He goes ok in this bit, alot better than the snaffle etc. I have not yet tried him in the waterford do you think I should?

Do you think its time to try bitless? I have a good RI working with me and shes coming out again soon, but thought I would ask your opinions first.
 
Before making the decision to try bitless I would go through the usual round of checks to ensure no discomfort. When were his teeth last done? Being strong in canter may just be because he is unbalanced rather than ignoring your aids.
 
He has had his teeth checked recently no problems there. It could be unbalanced, but its only in specific parts of the school ie where there is a jump! He went through a phase of tanking off all the time, so I am quite sure he is trying to evade the bit.
 
Hi Almrc....without wishing to cause offence in anyway I would ask:

How old is the horse in question?
What is his/her level of schooling?
What is your level of expertise?

The responses to those questions would determine my response. :)
 
My cob isn't tanky, but is typically built downhill and doesn't naturally come into my hand - I rode him in a hackamore and found he is the lightest he's ever been. I am very aware of my hands when using this piece of equipment.
 
I would also say if you plan to show or do dressage its a no go (unless as a temporary reschooling thing)

with the strong in canter, have you tried just half halts and transitions before he gets onward bound building it up (balance really)

ETA- light, dependant on the overall picture could just mean that the horse has learnt to duck behind the contact, incidently, is there a true contact in bitless, or a waterford??
 
I am not looking to do dressage etc with him, just getting him out hacking would be really good :) Well, he used to be at a competition yard and did lots of schooling, he is about 12 now. My level of expertise, hmm hard question not sure how you determine that...? I have been riding and had horses for 20 years but I guess that doesn't mean much really.

I've not tried him in the waterford yet, recently. I think he would possibly suit a hackamore as he turns off your leg so easily. I have tried half halts as you say, it makes little difference. In trot and walk it works a treat. I can ride him literally with hardly any contact in walk and trot and turn and stop using my seat and legs only. Canter...different story.
 
How do you know if its time to go bitless? Never lol

A friend of mine has been ' schooling' her strong irish mare in a bitless bridle for about 6 months and on the last 3 times out hacking she has just set her neck and tanked off, she used to do this with a bridle on as well.

I do believe you need to school the horse in a bitless before contemplating doing anything in it just as you would and ordinary bridle, but I also believe that the horse has to learn to respond to pressure and release for the bridle to be fully effective.

Some horses take to them very well, but if your horse has issues with tanking off, I would try and find the cause before embarking on another piece of equipment. Good luck though!!
 
is that the problem then, not much contact in walk and trot, more in canter to 'hold' him and he runs through it.

my mare was very forwards in canter, i used very strong downwards transitions- touch to ask then a stronger check to make her come back. after a couple of times she realised that when i asked she had to come back (was more throwing my weight back for the strong check that hauling back teeth- better to tug once than pull all the time)

now she waits and goes at the speed i want by the tiniest shuffle of my seat
 
Well I ride with a contact all the time legs and rein contact but at the end of a session I will ride him cooling down with little contact, turns etc. Thanks LL will try this.

Yes I believe also that a horse would need to be schooled in the bit as well. As you say some horses don't take to it at all. He is a complex little horse with some issues that link to his tanking off. They are more psychological and trust related, but touch wood, there's been no tanking off recently. I think I try and think too far ahead and think what if......need to stop doing that!
 
my other horse (bet you think im a right pillock now :o) had a tendency to bolt when scared by traffic/trains/walls/roadsigns erm you get the picture.
only way to keep him together (obviously before he does a bunk or looses his cool) is a quick pull and release. gets his brain in gear better and snaps him out of it better than keeping a firm contact all the time.
 
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