starting a horse using a bitless bridle

[lifewithflash]

ive been wanting the nalanta Jesse drent bridle since it came out but never had the money or chance to buy it. however I was going to get the Lemieux work bridle for Christmas but thought that for £20 more I can get reins. I also do have loads of bridle parts that I can use if I wanted to use a bit later on.

My horse, flash is 3 years old, 4 in march and has had a bit in multiple times but I feel like backing him bitless would be so much better. he's super easy and really laid back, "boring" youngster and nothing ever bothers him.

Heard good things about backing horses bitless however im wondering if the nalanta would be a good one as I think it's a hackamore.

He's in a full cheek French link I think rn.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

As long as you feel safe, I don't see any reason why not. You know your horse better than anyone on here.
It's just one of those, try it and see how you get on things. Personally I would want a bit to hack out in in the beginning, but if your youngster is horizontal about life then you'll probably be alright.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I tried to buy the nalante bridle and after a month of waiting for it and them trying to charge me and extra £200 to get it into the country I kindly asked for a refund.

I am just as happy to keep using my Micklem Multi as a bitless

 

[AutumnDays]

I backed mine bitless. She was much happier and relaxed without a bit, despite being mouthed plenty of times, she just hated it. I used a Micklem multi bridle, and used the cross under option, not because she was strong, she just seemed to "get" being asked to turn with that option more than the other two. Stopping was just a case of doing "aaanndd stand" we never went faster than a walk out hacking to see the world before she did her own stunts and broke herself, so that's as far as we got

 

[toppedoff]

I tried to buy the nalante bridle and after a month of waiting for it and them trying to charge me and extra £200 to get it into the country I kindly asked for a refund.

I am just as happy to keep using my Micklem Multi as a bitless

Such a shame the nalanta bridle is so lovely but I like the look of the mick bridles too

 

[JackFrost]

I have started bitless and it worked fine. But - I once tried a hackamore on an old and experienced horse and it went bonkers.
So if you are trying one, be sure your horse is ok with it before you get on !

 

[AWinter]

I actually found the Nalanta bridle a bit frustrating as it just has a normal throat lash instead of a jaw strap so it is prone to slipping unless you do the noseband up tight, which I do not want to do. Check out the Jenny Rolfe bridles it’s the one I have now. I have backed many horses bitless there is no reason why you can’t. Bits a are human concept.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Don't want to P1ss on your parade but be aware that bitless doesn't suit every horse.

Tried mine in an Orbitless: over time (a few months) she'd started hollowing-out her back and poking her nose out going ewe-necked and tanking, in canter particularly.

Put her back into a bit and the behaviour ceased.

 

[lifewithflash]

I tried to buy the nalante bridle and after a month of waiting for it and them trying to charge me and extra £200 to get it into the country I kindly asked for a refund.

I am just as happy to keep using my Micklem Multi as a bitless

did u just buy a micklem bridle and got rid of the bit?

 

[Barton Bounty]

did u just buy a micklem bridle and got rid of the bit?

I bought the Micklem Multi bridle and ditched the bit part after two years. Now we just ride in it like a headcollar style

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Don't want to P1ss on your parade but be aware that bitless doesn't suit every horse.

Tried mine in an Orbitless: over time (a few months) she'd started hollowing-out her back and poking her nose out going ewe-necked and tanking, in canter particularly.

Put her back into a bit and the behaviour ceased.

I tried my lad bit less, he was 15 at the time, he was in shear panic. Put him back in a bit and fine!

 

[ycbm]

did u just buy a micklem bridle and got rid of the bit?

In theory you should have the multi which has stronger rings to attach the reins to. I did use my ordinary one as a hackamore with the reins on the bit loops, but I don't think it would have been safe to hack out in, they aren't designed to be pulled on, only to hold the bit up.
.

 

[Polos Mum]

I long reined my youngster in headcollar nicely, then tried a bit, which he hated (he has tiny arab mouth with high pallet and dentist said almost no space for a bit).

so I went back to the headcollar and I've being using that with reins attached to the side rings for 18 months now - no problem at all.

I've done trec clinics and had a good few dressage lessons but mostly hack - I have as much control as with bridle (for this particular horse who is v sensitive)

 

[JBM]

In theory you should have the multi which has stronger rings to attach the reins to. I did use my ordinary one as a hackamore with the reins on the bit loops, but I don't think it would have been safe to hack out in, they aren't designed to be pulled on, only to hold the bit up.
.

I actually used to use an old normal micklem before I bought jesses one and never had any problems! Held well and was already yonks old
Jumping, dressage and hacking
In this photo she is a sweaty Betty as it was a group ride out and she trot walked the Whole 2 hours!
Bridle held up well the hands were sore

 

[Taliesan]

I started my young horse in a Transcend bitless bridle with no issues at all. Much like with bits, there are loads of different types of bitless bridle and your horse may well prefer one style over another.

An easy way to start out is to see what your horse is like being ridden in a headcollar. That is probably the closest approximation you can get to a sidecue. It isn't ideal, as the headcollar will be less stable than a proper bridle, but it will give you a good idea how he responds to those sorts of cues.

You then have hackamores (so many different types with varying levels of strength), crossunders (bit of a marmite bridle from my own experience), bosals, scrawbrigs, etc.

At the end of the day, no matter what kit you use, as long as your horse is happy and you are happy then that is what matters.

 

[j1ffy]

Backing bitless is standard in Spain - they ride off a 'serrata' (which gets terrible press but the good trainers use a smooth piece of metal wrapped in leather, similar to a lunge cavesson) initially, then add a bit and ride with two reins before progressing to bit only. I've no idea if it's better or worse but centuries of classical Spanish training suggests it works ok!

 

[Caol Ila]

Started my youngster bitless. The bitting up process wasn’t going that well so I said screw it. Initially backed her in a rope halter with reins, which was fine but rubbish for progressing since it gives pretty muddled signals.

I decided I wanted to try my hand at vaquero horsemanship, from the American West, so I bought her a Western hackamore. So far so good.

 

[Cortez]

Bits a are human concept.

All saddlery is a human concept, as indeed is the whole idea of riding.

There's no reason not to ride bitless unless the horse doesn't respond well, or you want to compete in the conventional disciplines. Bitless bridles are not all "kind" in their actions and some require considerable finesse to use.

 

[JBM]

Started my youngster bitless. The bitting up process wasn’t going that well so I said screw it. Initially backed her in a rope halter with reins, which was fine but rubbish for progressing since it gives pretty muddled signals.

I decided I wanted to try my hand at vaquero horsemanship, from the American West, so I bought her a Western hackamore. So far so good.View attachment 123378

I’m so interested how this works pressure wise? As it all comes from the knot?
Never seen one before!

 

[Polos Mum]

I use a close fitting leather headcollar - probably too small for usual headcollar use. With reins always attached. It works well for me and doesn't move around on his head at all.

My instructor commented recently at how responsive he is to my seat aids - presumably as not reliant so much on my hands

 

[Cortez]

I’m so interested how this works pressure wise? As it all comes from the knot?
Never seen one before!

Have a google for "bosal" training; it's a western thing.

 

[maya2008]

Get something second hand first. When backing a horse you never know what they will settle into and like. Once you know, you can buy nice and expensive and new. Until then, second hand so you can sell on without a huge loss is the way.

 

[AWinter]

All saddlery is a human concept, as indeed is the whole idea of riding.

There's no reason not to ride bitless unless the horse doesn't respond well, or you want to compete in the conventional disciplines. Bitless bridles are not all "kind" in their actions and some require considerable finesse to use.

Of course, I was just alluding to the concept that starting a horse bitted is somehow more “normal” to the horse doesn’t make any sense.

 

[Cortez]

Of course, I was just alluding to the concept that starting a horse bitted was somehow more “normal” to the horse doesn’t make any sense.

It makes perfect sense as that is indeed normal in this part of the world, riding bitless is less normal but still valid for all that if that's what you want to do. However, if you want to take part in most "normal" activities, i.e. competitions, then your horse would have to be capable of being ridden with a bit. I have trained horses bitless, and indeed bridleless, for some of the jobs I've been asked to do (film work), but all horses IMO should be capable of being ridden with both. Some PL insurance policies will be invalid if the horse is ridden bitless.

 

[Jango]

Are you planning on keeping your horse forever? I'd say the market for a bitless-only horse is pretty tiny.. so if you think there could be a chance of selling in the future I'd try and persevere with a bit too so if you do sell he has more chance of finding a good home.

 

[Glitter's fun]

ive been wanting the nalanta Jesse drent bridle since it came out but never had the money or chance to buy it. however I was going to get the Lemieux work bridle for Christmas but thought that for £20 more I can get reins. I also do have loads of bridle parts that I can use if I wanted to use a bit later on.

My horse, flash is 3 years old, 4 in march and has had a bit in multiple times but I feel like backing him bitless would be so much better. he's super easy and really laid back, "boring" youngster and nothing ever bothers him.

Heard good things about backing horses bitless however im wondering if the nalanta would be a good one as I think it's a hackamore.

He's in a full cheek French link I think rn.

Sounds like a great idea but as has been said, teach him both ways, so that he is future proof. With good care and good luck he will still be working in 2043 & none of us can know how your & his life will change by then. The more skills he has, the more options there will be where he will be able to find a safe place where he is valued. Ride him bitless mostly if you like but just do the bitting as your gift to him to insure his future.

 

[planete]

You may well find that after you have ridden bitless for a while and have done the basic schooling your horse is much more willing to accept a bit. This is what happened with one of mine.