Opinion on bitless bridles

I have tried various types of bit less bridles, in the past. The best by far that I have tried - on a variety of horses is the SidePull. Even with a potentially very strong horse.

For a very long time I used the Dr Cook - because that is all that was really on the market at the time. Con (big lad in siggy) was pretty much retired and didn't really need to be bitted. But in terms of accuracy and responsiveness, I never really got on with it. It was more for his benefit than mine.

The Side Pull doesn't need to be fitted any more tightly than any other bridle and air is surprising how many "strong" horses relax in them because they have nothing to pull against. A surprising amount of horses carry an extraordinary amount of tension in their mouth which transfers to the the rest of the body and so it becomes a vicious circle.

Panji (Friesian) has such a sensitive nose (I mean to the point of even putting a hand on his nose bridge gets a reaction) I managed to find a Side Pull with a wide noseband. I ride him both bitted and bitless, although I backed him bitless (head collar) as I didn't have a bridle with a big enough browband. LOL
 
I'd like to try a sidepull on my mare, although she's hardly ridden atm so I'm not sure whether I'll get round to it before she's retired completely. She can be very strong, which is my only concern. Not the tear off with you sort, more the jogging constantly sort, and I'm worried I'd end up having to use too much force.
 
HashRouge said:
I'd like to try a sidepull on my mare, although she's hardly ridden atm so I'm not sure whether I'll get round to it before she's retired completely. She can be very strong, which is my only concern. Not the tear off with you sort, more the jogging constantly sort, and I'm worried I'd end up having to use too much force.
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My pony has a tendency to jog, but not in the side pull. Go for it :-)
 
Shysmum said:
Blimey Goldenstar - who on earth rattled your cage :confused:

Don't talk to me ( or anyone ) like that, so bloomin rude - you sound like everything has to be feral !! Deary me. UI is a useful tool.
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I said nothing rude I simply pointed out that naturalness is not a good argument for using bitless because it's not natural .
I don't think everything should be feral I did not say that and it's not what I think I was pointing out that non of these things are natural to the horse including the horses themselves .
I would never be rude about a discussion on Bitting ( or not )on the Internet .
Or perhaps its just disagreeing with you thats considered rude .
 
HashRouge said:
I'm worried I'd end up having to use too much force.
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The key with riding bitless is to not rely on the reins (not that you should do bitted either) but your seat is more effective.
Instead of tugging back on the reins applying harsh pressure on the nose with a sidepull; you have to sit deep, shoulders back.
It took me a while to get out of the habit of pulling on the reins expecting brakes but I've learned to use my seat to stop and legs to steer. I ride with a loose-ish rein and just use force on the nose to support my seat aids when I've really needed to :)
 
Dumbo said:
The key with riding bitless is to not rely on the reins (not that you should do bitted either) but your seat is more effective.
Instead of tugging back on the reins applying harsh pressure on the nose with a sidepull; you have to sit deep, shoulders back.
It took me a while to get out of the habit of pulling on the reins expecting brakes but I've learned to use my seat to stop and legs to steer. I ride with a loose-ish rein and just use force on the nose to support my seat aids when I've really needed to :)
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Even a head collar can be "harsh" in the wrong hands... I think the words "harsh" and "force " are perhaps a little strong.

I have never had to apply much pressure to any of the horses I have ridden in a side pull - an instructor friend of mine did an interesting experiment using a "modified" cavesson noseband. A client of hers had an older horse, always been bitted, had a history of tripping - and a whole host of other issues. She observed a massive improvement in his way of going and many of his "issues" disappeared.

As an experienced rider she employed a "modicum" of self preservation in trying this as this horse also has an impressive buck. She had him in a bit as well as the modified cavasson. In effect she had 2 reins. But as I say, the horse went very well in this modification.

It is surprising how much they do relax without the "distraction" of a bit. :)
 
Interesting reading.

I tried bitless when my cob had a wolf tooth out last year, grabbed the first second hand one that I could collect which ended up being a cross-under (Dr Cook) style.

Initially, I loved it. However, when it came to actual brakes when pone got excited? No chance. I'm still unsure whether he disliked the pressure from the style, or whether it was just too "mild" for him, either way there was very little control past trotting round a school.

I've toyed with trying other types, but it seems a bit of a minefield :confused:
 
Mine didn't get on with a Dr Cooks. He was heavy to steer and if he got a bit excited just stuck his head between his legs and had no brakes. This is a pony that is easy to manage in a snaffle, I just thought I'd try him because he is a naturally easy pony and I was trying to be nice to him, but it wasn't for him.
 
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