Recovery from broken jaw - bitless bridle options?

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laura186

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My horse is currently recovering from a broken jaw. She had wires put in at Leahurst 7 weeks ago and had them removed last week. The new xrays last week showed the break is healing well so our vets have said they are happy for us to start riding using a dually headcollar for hacking (she's 21y/o so will stiffen up over winter if we can't keep her moving). I was just wondering if anyone could recommend any other bitless bridles that are ok to use on horses with a broken jaw? I don't want to put any pressure on her jaw and she won't be allowed a bit in for at least another 6 weeks. The dually is working ok but she doesn't respond as quickly to it for me to feel safe taking her out on the roads etc.

Thanks in advance
 
A sidepull may work well, I don't think a hackamore would be any good as this tightens under the jaw as does a Dr Cooks. A normal headcollar with reins attached would be a good starting point I suspect, the dually should work as I think these tighten over the nose. Do you have somewhere enclosed to have a play? I'd hate to see you galloping over the horizon with no control.
 
Thanks 9tails - I've taken her into the arena with it and been round a few fields with her and she is absolutely fine. She's a bit of an oldy though so in the arena she'll happily do whatever you ask and breaks aren't an issue at all - the same in fields on her own. It's on the roads, it seems with the dually that there's a 2 second gap between me asking her to stop / turn etc and her actually doing anything, which worries me that we could get into a sticky situation on the roads. She's strong on fields but only if another horse gallops off - however that was always the same with a bit so I'm not expecting any miracles there! I'll have a look at the sidepull and maybe see if I can borrow one to try it out and see her reaction!
 
Why not show a bit of patience and not ride on the roads until she can be bitted; it's not like you can't ride her at all is it?

Another thing you'd need to check would be the validity of your insurance if she was to cause an accident which would be enough for me to be content to ride in the school or fields for now I'm afraid.
 
Apologies this is an old thread- but has anyone ever had an experience of a horse having contact issues/evading the bit after breaking their jaw?
 
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