Which bitless bridle?

[Janah]

I am thinking of going bitless and would like to know, if you use one, which one and why you would recommend it?

My boy is 20 yrs old so quite a decision so late in life.

Jane

 

[rosie-ellie]

I decided to try bitless when someone took my mare off the yard, put some form of bit in her mouth and cut the corners of her mouth. I use a french link snaffle and my mares soft mouthed so i dont know what happened but as you gather i wasnt very happy. Anyhow sorry about my moaning!!!

As from that point I decided to ride bitless until her mouth healed, I decided to buy a Dr Cooks replica to see if she would get along with it (not real leather) and she was brilliant. I never had no problem with breaks, steering and general commands but shes well schooled and alot of it comes from my bum and legs. I find she jumps better in it also. I like it because you can change different parts of the bridle as they wear which i have done and i am now slowly changing it to the leather Dr Cooks parts. I do put the snaffle in when we go cross country because she tends to get a bit strong but hacking, schooling and jumping is all done with my bitless.

Hope this help!

 

[YasandCrystal]

I use a Micklem multi bridle by Horseware with a bit but it is a 3 in 1 bridle with the extra pieces to let you make either a a) sidepull bitless or b) Dr Cook cross over style bitless, c) bitted bridle and it is also a lunge cavesson. They are not cheap at around £100 new, but they do come up 2nd hand. They also have a padded headpiece for comfort and the noseband is placed differently as is a throat strap that comes halfway up the jawline to avoid all the facial nerves and give the most comfort. It is lovely quality (comes with no reins)

 

[Nigel_cat]

My girl came with a Dr. Cook as well as her snaffle. She is very sensitive but seems pretty happy in it. I have heard that some people think it doesn't release quick enough... I've jumped and schooled in it pretty successfully but she can be as sensitive to it as to her snaffle..but then we are still getting to know each other!