Thoughts On Bitless Bridles Please?

There are loads of different types of bitless bridles you can try, all with different actions. The Sidepull for example is a bit like a headcollar with rings each side of the nose to attach the reins too. There is the Crossunder (the Dr Cook is a crossunder) which have straps that cross under the jaw and tighten around the face with rein pressure; The Scawbrig is similar to the Side Pull but has a strap that tightens under the chin in the curb groove and puts pressure on the nose when the slack is taken up; there is the Lightrider which is similar to the Scawbrig but is independent of the noseband and relies on a curbstrap only. There are loads more different types1

A good website for advice is http://www.bitlessandbarefoot.com, they are faily comprehensive on the different types of bridle and how they work.

It is important to understand that just because a bridle is bitless does not mean that they all have the same action - for example my older mare goes nicely in a Little S hackamore that has slight poll pressure, and my youngster goes in a made up beta version of the Lightrider (that I can also switch round to the front of the nose to have the same action as a Monty Roberts Dually, I have just realised...).

Neither of mine liked the action of the crossunder type, in fact my youngster hated it, but I know a lot of people
 
Used a cross under on a jumper which had the habit of leaning on your hand - worked well for a couple of weeks untill the problem redeveloped , would only suit certain horses I think.
 
there are loads of types and can work well for some and not so well for others
i hack in headcollar and leadropes occasionally just when i can't be bothered to tack up (so also bareback!) and i'm fine doing canter work etc - but she works on seat rather than hands so it doesn't make too much difference to us
 
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