Our First Bitless Ride & photos!

[Tor&Warrior]

Flyte and I had our first bitless ride tonight!!! It felt so strange and it made me realise how much I rely on my reins!! He was so relaxed, where as usually he is very tense in his mouth and his head was so low it couldn't of been an inch off the floor!!! We just walked, trotted and did some trot poles. Had no problems stopping, but steering was a little dodgy but not bad considering we were in a 2 acre field, because it was only when he saw something inthe opposite direction he wasnted to look at that we had problems. I've definetley been converted:D

Photos.............

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/Bitless.jpg)

This is from a funny angle because my Dad was stood on one of my XC logs to get it.......

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/Bitlessintree.jpg)

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/Bitlesstreat.jpg)

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/Bitlesstreat1.jpg)

And a Vin pic incase your missing the sexy little beast and because we don't want him to feel left out;)

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/VinVin.jpg)

[Esther.D]

Looking very good:) You seem to have had a similar experience to Rupert and I - much more relaxed and lower head, good stopping power but steering a little dodgy at times:D

[liz--y]

well done, looing good, have lots of fun

[RachelEvent]

What lovely photos.. you're right, he looks very relaxed, I've not seen many photos of him ridden, but I think these are the most chilled out I've seen. You'll probably find the steering easier once you're in a natural hackamore, but the single rein is great for making sure that old riding habits don't slip back in :)

Trotting poles too.. very good :D

Rachel xx

[JaniceH]

Wow Tor - you and Flyte look so happy and relaxed, things have turned out so well for the both of you. :D :D Trot poles as well, and I expect you were on a slope as well as all your paddocks have a downward lean, so even more challenging.

What have you been feeding Vin on?!! baby bio plant food? He has grown sooooo much in just a couple of months!!!!! Perhaps instead of shavings you plant his feet overnight in a grobag!

Take care
xx

[Tor&Warrior]

He's definetley more relaxed. If you compare this photo

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/Bitlessintree.jpg)

And

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/Bitless.jpg)

With this one

Here!! (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/FlyDressage.jpg)

The difference with how much tension he's got in his mouth and through his neck in the last photo

And it's hard to believe that a few months ago you could never ride him without a standing, unless you were suicidle!

Here (http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/v97/Flyte/FlyFirstHack.jpg)

I need to find out what kind of natural hackamore I could use that when were eventually good enough it we can hack in, go on fun rides etc and still be insured.

Janice-the field is a right pain being on a slope! My little Vin isn't so little any more! You can't see it well from that photo but he's really muscled up and not looking weady and foaly any more!

[Alibi]

You both look lovely and relaxed!

What Insurance Company are you with? More and more are accepting "Natural" riding now, Petplan don't have any problems with it, but its best to ring your ins. co. and just check.

You can knot your 12' line so its a hackamore, you just don't have the extra 12' line on the end, which is used as a spanker and i'm guessing Flyte is the type which doesn't need spanking. This is what i do as i can't afford a hackamore at the minute, if you have the L1 parelli pack it tells you how to tie it in one of the booklets (i think - i know i read it somewhere), if not i could scan the page for you.

[Showjumper]

Yay well done!! :D

[Tor&Warrior]

Thanks Alibi! Were with the NFU and I'm sure I've heard their fine with it so that should be ok. I think I will just tie the line onto the halter as he definetley doesn't need the spanker and I could do with out having to spend £60! I'll have a look through my pack to find out how to tie it.

Thanks Showjumper!

[Equine Whispers]

Hi Tor

Glad to see things are going so well, especially riding bitless. I have just finished designing a bitless bridle that we are going to start marketing. I have been using it for the last month on a few different horses and it works a real treat. Its unlike any other on the market and our aim is to sell it at a price that everyone can afford.

Please email me if you would like to hear more about it.

Keep up the good work, you both look very happy.

All the best
Equine Whispers

[Tor&Warrior]

Hi Equine Whispers, Sorry only just had a chance to reply! I will email you as I would be very interested in hearing more about your new bridle. Thanks Torx

[babygirl]

I am so happy to hear that more and more people are deciding to use bitless bridles now. I personally love them. The horse that i am taking lessons on has only had a bitless bridle used on him. The horse that I am planning on purchasing however is not. He has a regular bridle with a bit... but i plan on changing this when he is mine. I like the bitless bridle because it is so much more comfortable for the horse and they preform so much better. I am personally used to the bitless bridle so it seems easy and smooth when i ride with it. I just hope that more and more horseowners will use the bitless bridle. It's just way to make a happy horse.