Or maybe just bitless?!

[Ample Prosecco]

Some may be aware of my efforts to find a bit for Lottie. Last night I took her to a grid clinic just in the snaffle. Which normally lives at the yard because that’s where we school and ride out from. Jumping tack lives in my lorry. I forgot to put the bridle back for my sharer who was going on a solo hack this morning. Undeterred she just used her rope head collar! I was quite impressed. Lottie was as good as gold but I don’t think I’d try it

 

[JGC]

I always thought I'd struggle in a headcollar with mine who likes to take a bit of a hold, but she's fine in a headcollar hacking I still prefer ABS brakes as a general rule

 

[Caol Ila]

I backed Hermosa in a rope halter and used it for our first few off-lead rides. It was fine but they twist around on the horse's face, so not ideal for precise communication.

You could try jumping Lottie in a mechanical hackamore if you think she prefers bitless. They have good brakes (how strong depends on shape and length of the shanks). Some horses do really well in them.

 

[AntiPuck]

It's well worth a try, as long as you teach the cues (just as is done with bits) there is no reason many horses couldn't be ridden bitless.

I've just started using a Lightrider Performer bridle which is basically a rope halter with a curb attachment, so that it doesn't move around the face, and it's excellent!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I think I'd prefer to try in an arena first! Not just hop on and head for the forest. But it was fine x

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I’ve changed Pepsi to a combination hackamore for jumping (because the thought of taking him XC with no bit at all was mildly terrifying) on the mildest setting, so need to take a fair pull before bit pressure kicks in. And he’s like a different horse, so relaxed (current competing issues aside, that is unrelated) and my instructor has commented several times how much happier he seems

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Be aware that bitless won't necessarily solve your problems and indeed may give you a different set of problems.

I put mine (profile pic) into a bitless bridle thinking I was doing something truly magnificent. All was well at first but a good few months in she started tanking in canter by hollowing out her back and poking her nose, and off she'd go.

Put her into a bitted bridle again - this time a Happy Mouth - and she was good again.

IF you are thinking of going bitless, then do your research and have a picture in your mind all the nerves which affect the horse's head & nose area and which may be irritated by something pressing on a point.

It doesn't work for everything by any means.

Sorry if p!ssing on your parade.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I'm not planning on going bitless. I locked the bridle in the lorry by mistake and my sharer decided to just head off for a hack anyway in a head collar. Which I thought was either brave, trusting or foolhardy! Depending on your perspective. But I was pleased that Lottie took it in her stride.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

ETA she always hacks her on the buckle anyway. And uses seat aids. So she figured it would not feel much different. She was right.

 

[J&S]

I used to share a lovely mare many years ago. She was Arab/Welsh and was quite up for most things especially jumping and galloping over the greens. I well remember not having the tack with me but wanted to go out with a friend who had turned up, so off I went over the New Forest in her head collar. So I can understand your sharer heading out none the less!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Back in the day people just went out and did stuff! Didn’t overthink too much. I remember loaning a pony, heading off down the road, cantering on verges, hopping over hedges on the common. Never asked what he was like in traffic, if he hacked solo, could he jump. Just gave it a go and found out!

 

[MummyEms]

Back in the day people just went out and did stuff! Didn’t overthink too much. I remember loaning a pony, heading off down the road, cantering on verges, hopping over hedges on the common. Never asked what he was like in traffic, if he hacked solo, could he jump. Just gave it a go and found out!

I'm the same even now

 

[Barton Bounty]

ETA she always hacks her on the buckle anyway. And uses seat aids. So she figured it would not feel much different. She was right.

Thats the way I went when I first rried it and have not regretted it one bit , even when he has had a paddy

 

[SEL]

Back in the day people just went out and did stuff! Didn’t overthink too much. I remember loaning a pony, heading off down the road, cantering on verges, hopping over hedges on the common. Never asked what he was like in traffic, if he hacked solo, could he jump. Just gave it a go and found out!

I massively over think things these days - blame my age! Thought nothing of riding in a headcollar when I was younger and was known for hacking anything.