Who rides bitless?

[LittleBlackMule]

I tried my boy in my old hackamore today, just for a ride out down the lane and back, kept my hands really light, so he didn,t even feel any pressure,but he did not like it, was tossing his head about!
Unfortunately I don,t think he likes anything on his nose, might try a different type when the pollen season is over!

I've tried traditional hackamores in the past, I didn't like them let alone the horse. The English version can rub against the mouth if not adjusted perfectly, and even then it's difficult as the shanks are quite short. The steering can be vague if using a direct rein as there is little feel down the shank and the top can then dig into the cheek.
I use sidepull bridles, and I've always had excellent control with them. They are basically a glorified headcollar with no crank or curb action to irritate a horse.

 

[Redequus]

I ride in a headcollar or dually halter - it's been so long since I used a bridle I can't remember how to put one on properly, lol!

 

[Jericho]

im tempted to try bitless but im very nervous i wont have brakes! my horse gets very fast and strong when we hack with lots of people -do you think he can be stopped in a bitless? hes 20 and has a very hard mouth so is quite strongly bitted at the minute, what do you think?

I have a very forward going mare who can be strong and I have no problems at all with brakes I use the micklem medium strength (tightens around nose rather than whole dr cook style). With your boy being hard mouthed he might be an ideal candidate for bitless. There's nothing to stop you trying a bitless and have a bit and rein just in case.

 

[Bigrob34]

All ten horses where I work are ridden bitless. During training we use a normal Parelli bridle, and for hunting we use a leather bitless bridle.

The horses all respond fantastically, you just have to use your body weight and be a bit more 'savvy'.

 

[clippi]

My boy is bitless, he's ridden in an S Hack, I found he went much better in a bitless than he did in a bit, if and when I do use a bit, I use a ported straight bar which he goes ok in.
My daughter's pony is bitted though

 

[[100323]]

I am riding my young pony bitless but he has a bit as well, it means using two reins and the bit rein is usually very slack. I want him to be able to be ridden mostly bitless and for the times he must have a bit to be able to do that too. I prefer bitless and he seems to too.

 

[LittleBlackMule]

For those people who want to ride bitless, here's something to aspire to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annota...&feature=iv&src_vid=IBbtTGb8soM&v=3sygrCArBt0

Hempfling is a bit of a marmite sort of guy, but you have to admit his horses are beautifully light.