Riding ex racehorse bitless ... Your stories

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Bedford Joy

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Im considering trying my 11 year old ex racehorse mare in a bitless bridle. Has anyone else done this ? If so what were your experiences and what bridles did you try/use?
It would only be in the school initially :)
 
My old ex racer mare was only ever settled in her mouth when bitless, it was the only time I had reliable brakes too. I'm riding my current ex racer bitless too and he's going much better.
 
I resorted to a hackamore back in the 70s with my ex racer who was a perfect horse, but you couldn't stop him as he used to get his tongue over the bit and lean on it. He was fine in the hackamore. I never looked back and still use one on my welsh sec D (though he's fine in a bit anyway!). I've got a Dr Cook bridle as well (don't think they were invented back then) which is ok but does feel like you're riding in a headcollar - I'm not used to it yet - I feel quite safe and in control with a hackamore, I guess, because I have a lot of experience riding in one!
 
I rode my horse in just her head collar yesterday and she was so much more relaxed it was unbelievable. She had nothing to fight against and although she didn't really understand what I was asking when I wanted her to come into an outline I think she will get it soon enough. Im going to get her a hackamore at the end of the week :) x
 
If the headcollar experiment went well you might want to consider a sidepull - essentially very similar action.

Have ridden (not ex racers but various breeds/backgrounds) in both hackamores and sidepulls depending on horse/owner. Both can be fine. Have fun!
 
My exracer does fantastic in his hackamore (english type). Id had nothing but trouble trying to find a bit he was happy with, he hated everything except one which i found in the end but i still prefer to use his hackamore. He used to lean, put his tongue over the bit, shake his head, shake his tongue all over the place and even rub his head along the floor, he was all checked out and nothing was wrong, just the bit. I took the bit out of the equation and he was a different horse as he had nothing to fight against, and i was kicking myself for not doing it sooner!

I have jumped and galloped him in open fields with it on, and had no touble with brakes. In fact i have way more control with just a flex of my fingers than with a bit in his mouth. I tried him in a Dr cooks, but he didnt like the action, as well as a Cotswold Sport sidepull Pulley Bitless Bridle, then onto a parelli halter, but he like the standard english the best.

he is a quirky boy too, knows every trick in the book and takes a few mile if you give him an inch.

Got a few pictures too *any excuse! lol* :D

There are copyrights on the photos as i have posted them elsewhre and the copyright belongs to me! I can prove this if necessary.

Big open field, no bit xD
pbc1.jpg

jumping no bit
pbc7.jpg

j22.jpg

Galloping like a loon XD
j8.jpg

random:
pb1-7.jpg

being 'special' and in a mard as i wouldnt let him jump the jump!
pb3-6.jpg
 
Mine is in a happy mouth straight snaffle and lovely in it. He's quite manageable in a headcollar and lead ropes too but still a little stiff through his bends so harder to school. Sticking to my bit for now.
 
My last TB was much happier in his Dr Cooks bitless than he ever was with a bit. He took to it straightaway and was aged about 18 when I first used it.
 
Thanks everyone for all your answers, I'm going to look into the different types and maybe try her in a couple to see how she responds :)
 
reading with interest all these threads. have been thinking about trying one for a while now but having no experience with them am worried i will do it all wrong! do you think if i should find a good instructor to fit it and then have a lesson in it first. am always worried about trying new things on my own incase i make an mess of it. my tb is not strong but is forever messing with his head and mouth, have tried various bits. :confused:
 
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