introducing bitless

[welshpony216]

So, my pony has been very head tossy and high headed, and also very resistant. I had my trainer double check my bridle/bit fit, and she said it was fine. I had my vet check her teeth and stuff anyways, and she said that the shape of her mouth is affecting how the bit was applying pressure, and it might be causing discomfort, so she suggested bitless. The last 2 days, I have been ridding in a mismatched side pull (the browband is light brown, the noseband is dark brown, and the rest is black, but the reins are greenish lol) and she has been doing well, except for a bit more 'can I trot, can I trot?' she is visibly more relaxed and less spooky.

3 questions
1. have any of you tried/ride bitless, what are/were your thoughts or experiences?
2. is there any odd things to expect?
3. tips and tricks please!
4. do any rein cues change slightly because the pressure is different?
5. How long does it take for the horse to get used to bitless.

 

[mini_b]

I personally wouldn’t go straight from “how the bit is applying pressure” straight to bitless. I’m surprised your vet recommended this!

where is the horse finding discomfort?
Tongue pressure? Bar pressure?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Yes, I ride in a side pull from time to time. It's my go-to for hacks since he's easy to hack and when I reintroduce him to grass each spring we often ride somewhere to graze. So I just sit aboard and let him at it.

I ride in the school occasionally with it too. It really makes sure I am using my body and not relying on the bit, reins, and so on. There was nothing odd. He is quite relaxed about it.

It's really not complicated. If you can control your body and your horses body correctly, riding bitless is easy. There are no different rein cues in a side pull.

I don't use my reins a whole lot. People think bitless is kinder, but you can still do damage! You especially want to be in control with your body, and not putting so much pressure across their nose or face with your hands.

There is really no getting used to it. My horse has a good foundation to his training. I just put it on in the school one day. He can be ridden in a snaffle, double, side pull, or neck ring.

There are tons of bits out there though, so I would think you could find something suitable.

 

[welshpony216]

Bar pressure, as well as a possible toothache from me accidently hitting her tooth with the bit when I took off her bridle once ?, (she though her head, at the right moment). She also simply hated the bit, and would throw her head and turn away. She came from a lady who instructed beginners, and the poor pony had to put up with yanks and hard hands, I think she associates the bit with ouches (it may even be in her head as well, as the lady got her from a slaughter house is Canada when the pony was very young, about 4 or 5) , even though I have only had to pull her mouth hard 1 time as she bolted and was very close to running into traffic. She is much happier with the bitless bridle, I think though (I'm afraid I cant read minds lol, but based on her behavior ...)

 

[CanteringCarrot]

If you find something that works well for the horse, then use it. Don't overthink it. If she is relaxed, responsive, and comfortable, go for it.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

I introduced mine to a standard hackamore easily. I walked him round the school in-hand using the reins to turn and stop, and he took to it like a duck to water. Then rode him in the school for a bit and he understood it all, so just cracked on. Never looked back! I'm not for a moment suggesting that everyone has it that easy, but my horse is nothing special in the grand scheme of things and it's been lovely for me and him.

 

[welshpony216]

I don't use my reins a whole lot. People think bitless is kinder, but you can still do damage!

I agree! when I was 14, I briefly rode a horse who had a damaged nose from a mechanical hacomore, and had to be ridden without a noseband. great horse though.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

I stuck a head collar on mine and rode in the paddock. The difference in her way of going was immediate. I then bought a cross under bridle and she was fine. Never had any issues with her pulling/bolting/brake issues previously though.?

 

[Blazingsaddles]

Yes, I ride in a side pull from time to time. It's my go-to for hacks since he's easy to hack and when I reintroduce him to grass each spring we often ride somewhere to graze. So I just sit aboard and let him at it.

I ride in the school occasionally with it too. It really makes sure I am using my body and not relying on the bit, reins, and so on. There was nothing odd. He is quite relaxed about it.

It's really not complicated. If you can control your body and your horses body correctly, riding bitless is easy. There are no different rein cues in a side pull.

I don't use my reins a whole lot. People think bitless is kinder, but you can still do damage! You especially want to be in control with your body, and not putting so much pressure across their nose or face with your hands.

There is really no getting used to it. My horse has a good foundation to his training. I just put it on in the school one day. He can be ridden in a snaffle, double, side pull, or neck ring.

There are tons of bits out there though, so I would think you could find something suitable.

very good points. If your horse is responsive to your leg cues then it’s just like riding with a bit - leg into hand.

 

[Shysmum]

We went bitless after Shy just wouldn't settle with ANY bit. Dentist said he had a very fleshy tongue. Anyway, straight into an Hackamore and we've never looked back ! I was looked down on by a lot of horsey folk, but stuff em, it works for us ! The key is to have very gentle hands, and to get the fitting absolutely correct. I used the Hackamore bridle as a headcollar for a week, before I used it for riding, so he got used to it.

 

[Highflinger]

I went bitless 18 years ago on my Welsh D and never used a bit since. He was in a kimblewick. I did several months ground work using a parelli halter . To be honest I never thought I would actually ride bitless just use the halter for groundwork but I hopped on bareback in the paddock one day just to see what it felt like and he was a different horse - so light and relaxed. 10 minutes later I sadldled up and when out for a hack - I did have a moment as I rode through the village - what AM I doing as I am not brave- but he was perfect the whole hack
Never used a bit since .

 

[pansymouse]

I'm obviously an under thinker - I just took the bit off the bridle, put on an English hackamore and went for a hack. It didn't occur to me do any sort of introduction or trial; my horse is sharp and forward going so on reflection it might have been wiser but it went OK and we're still happily using the same set up. My horse has a small mouth and large tongue so any bit in her mouth is uncomfortable. I mostly ride from my seat and legs so the bit set up fairly secondary for me anyway.