Rode bitless today!

J

Janah

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After reading the thread on going bridleless, and it being something I have often thought I'd like to try, I rode with just a headcollar and reins today.

I was feeling a bit guilty as I haven't ridden for a week or so and decided to take my boy in the arena as so hot here to hack.

He was very chilled and being good so I took his bridle off and popped his headcollar on attached the reins to the side rings and off we set.

My boy has always been sensitive in his mouth and all instructors have told me take more of a hold, just never felt right to me as he can get very tense and resists, his favourite is to get his tongue over the bit if he can.

What a revelation!

He did start off with his head at knee level as if looking for the bit and then I got the most wonderful walk and then trot, tracking up and really going forward and pushing from behind. I tried canter and he was very good, I do use my voice a lot anyway so felt confident. Turning wasn't as responsive but even so a good circle in trot. I do ride using my seat, legs, and voice and not a lot of rein anyway.

I shall be doing more of this and maybe work up to going bridleless!

Jane
 
HEHE I did the same a couple weeks after reading all the stories in here, popped a headcollar on the youngster and tied 2 lead ropes off the sides... he was no different than with a bit in, brakes were fabulous, only thing was as with you, turning wasn't that hot, but then hes not over hot at the moment with steerage anyway xxxx
 
I did the same when my mare was waiting to get a loose tooth removed. I tried with the head collar and reins but found that when we trotted that it slipped back. I took the bit off her spare bridle and attached the reins to the noseband and it worked a treat. She didn't even look for the bit, she just went really nicely in it. I tried a western type one like dr cooks but she didn't like the noseband pressure so she is back in her french link. They just amaze you sometimes though don't they?
 
I did find that steering wasn't bad just not as accurate with a bit in.

My boy is 20 yrs old and have owned him for 10yrs so I know him really well. I do admire you for trying it with a youngster.

Jane
 
glad you enjoyed it ...... steering does get more accurate but sometimes the horse does need a slightly closer fitted nosband than a headcollar to get the subtleties. Its a huge leap in that aspect to go from a bit to a headcollar. ;)
 
I'm not sure what the next step should be, probably more of the same at the moment?

Ideas, anyone?

Jane
 
Mine is in a Scawbrig, I'm not allowed to ask anything of her outline-wise, and as I can be a bit of a hand wiggler ( :o ) the only thing that stops me is a bitless bridle. Mare loves it, easier snacking! :eek:

I do find that my steering is pretty awful in it, though - she wants to go one way and there we go... we only hack about though and she's safe and sane so we just have fun wibbling about the countryside :)

She's never offered an outline in her life though, so I didn't expect anything different bitless!
 
well as long as you get the bitless bridle that suits the horse and rider no reason horse cannot do everything it already could :cool:

we get very accurate steering indeed ..... driving horse and carriage though obstacles with literally inches to spare either side :D :D.

and quite possible to be in an outline too and get flexions etc.


It does take a while for both to get accurate with it after all its new sensations for both and got to be worked at, its not a straight switch.
 
I ride my cob in a Libbys bitless bridle. I find she doesn't lean on you hands like she does in a bit. Not had any problems turning or stopping but she does find it easier to fill her mouth with plants as we are hacking!!!
 
Silmarillion said:
Mine is in a Scawbrig, I'm not allowed to ask anything of her outline-wise, and as I can be a bit of a hand wiggler ( :o ) the only thing that stops me is a bitless bridle. Mare loves it, easier snacking! :eek:

I do find that my steering is pretty awful in it, though - she wants to go one way and there we go... we only hack about though and she's safe and sane so we just have fun wibbling about the countryside :)

She's never offered an outline in her life though, so I didn't expect anything different bitless!
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I think too many people make the mistake of thinking that the horse will behave the same bitless as with a bit. Most of the time this is fine because most horses will be quite happy and obedient bitless. But sometimes if the horse isnt quite as complient, this can lead to the horse takig advantage and maybe scaring the rider, thus giving bitless a bad name. Making sure the brakes and steering work are very important, just like with a bit. ANY horse can steer and stop just as well, if not better in a bitless if we take the time to teach them.

Its very good to hear of people succesfully trying bitless, and i think more people are more aware that its not the bit that controls the horse. Hopefully its a trend that will keep on increasing, and you never know, maybe the FEI will leave the dark ages and allow bitless in dressage. At least we can only hope lol.
 
It is definately becoming more common ....... when we started 11 years ago I had to send to america for my dr cooks, could not get them in uk.

i think more people are more aware that its not the bit that controls the horse.
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agree 100% .... however I will say that both can and do apply pressure as and when required , just in different places :cool: ... just in case anyone thinks I am saying bitless bridles dont ;)
 
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