jensheff26
Well-Known Member
hi does anyone ride bitless/treeless and barefoot all naturel or use a bareback saddle pad i would be greatfull of your experiences and any prep from going from a bit and tree to all natural thanks
treeless/bitless
- Thread starter jensheff26
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Tinypony
Well-Known Member
I do, although I sometimes ride in a bit as well. I think the key to treeless saddles is to get good quality and have it fitted.
For riding bitless I think you need to make sure your horse is "soft in the halter", has good flexion, a good halt and a good one rein stop (there's another thread about that). I don't really mean the emergency 1 rein stop, I mean a nice refined lift of the rein if needed stop. Personally, I hate Dr Cooks bridles, I don't like the way they hug the head and I don't like the way most people ride in them with a conventional "english" contact. They are designed to be used with a casual rein, so that there is only pressure if you're asking for something.
Re barefoot, coincidentally I have barefoot horses, but I'd shoe if they needed it. Probably use boots by preference though. To make that work I think you need to educate yourself about the right diet, environment and hoof trim. You need to know if the person trimming your horse does a really good trim or not, a quick whip round with a rasp may not be enough. Having said that, a surprising number of horses and ponies go barefoot with very little fuss or bother.
Howzat?
For riding bitless I think you need to make sure your horse is "soft in the halter", has good flexion, a good halt and a good one rein stop (there's another thread about that). I don't really mean the emergency 1 rein stop, I mean a nice refined lift of the rein if needed stop. Personally, I hate Dr Cooks bridles, I don't like the way they hug the head and I don't like the way most people ride in them with a conventional "english" contact. They are designed to be used with a casual rein, so that there is only pressure if you're asking for something.
Re barefoot, coincidentally I have barefoot horses, but I'd shoe if they needed it. Probably use boots by preference though. To make that work I think you need to educate yourself about the right diet, environment and hoof trim. You need to know if the person trimming your horse does a really good trim or not, a quick whip round with a rasp may not be enough. Having said that, a surprising number of horses and ponies go barefoot with very little fuss or bother.
Howzat?