Dr Cook 1 Nobit 0

[Yann]

After possibly getting fed up with me mentioning my nobit bridle every time someone posted about going bitless, Shiel of www.bitlessbridle.co.uk very kindly offered to send me a genuine beta Dr Cook to try for myself and see what I thought:)

First impressions when it arrived were how nice it looked and what lovely stuff the beta is, lovely and soft to handle without the disadvantages that come with having to care for leather. It really is a proper bridle as opposed to a souped up headcollar. It's also much easier to get on and off and adjust to size.

I was keen to try it out and see how we got on with it and put it to a very stern test straight away by taking Rio out with Gem for a hack round our cross country course. It's usually a cue for lots of mad cantering and galloping and very excited horses. I immediately found I had more control, and the only time Rio really didn't listen was when she was racing to try and catch Gem up at one point, in which case nothing in the world was likely to get her attention:D

Took them out on a very long hack the following day, and again I had control when and where I needed it, and think Rio was a bit surprised by that once or twice:) The steering is pretty positive too, I generally ride on a loose rein and tweak for changes in direction or pace and it worked very well indeed. Must hasten to add that my horse is actually quite well behaved and sensible, she's just rather fit and loves going fast, especially in wide open spaces (as do I:)).

Needless to say I'll be purchasing the Dr Cook and would recommend it to anyone who fancies trying bitless, it is worth the extra expense, and you do get a trial period to see if it works for you.

Here's Rio modelling hers:)

[Miriam]

Sounds like its well worth its weight in gold. Have been tempted to go bitless but not sure how Rhi would react. If we do ever go bitless it sounds like its well worth giving the Dr Cook a go

[Bay Mare]

Originally posted by Yann
After possibly getting fed up with me mentioning my nobit bridle every time someone posted about going bitless, Shiel of www.bitlessbridle.co.uk very kindly offered to send me a genuine beta Dr Cook to try for myself and see what I thought:)

So how does it go?

I think that the nobit is really great. I would recommend the nobit. I've tried the nobit and it's fantastic. My horse goes really well in the nobit. The nobit is the best bitless bridle that I've ever tried. I think that EVERYONE should have a nobit. Erm, nobit anyone?

Do you think that will have worked? ;)

[~Perdita.M~]

Ditto Bay Mare, can I have one too please?:D

Looks lovely Yann, glad it worked well for you:)

[galadriel]

Goodness she's a shaggy sweet thing right now.

[Showjumper]

lol Yann! Same as me and Dolly (really must get some photos of her modelling her leather Dr Cook!). I thought the No Bit was great - fiddly and difficult to put on, but no real problems. Then I bought a Dr Cook and the difference is incredible! It's definitely worth the extra money :)

I'll take some photos of Dolly in her bridle tonight :)

[Yann]

Originally posted by galadriel
Goodness she's a shaggy sweet thing right now.

Yup! Apart from the clip which is absolutely essential she's pretty much as nature intended and has hardly ever had a pair of scissors taken to her. I like her that way:)

The Dr Cook does interfere with her beard though;)

[$@R@H]

Wow, thats one of the *nicest* looking bitless bridals I've ever seen!

[cvb]

I have a leather scawbrigg that would just go on a normal bridle - so would look similar apart from the crossover.... but I can't find it anywhere so can't prove it ! :(

[vjwuk]

My friend took delivery of one of these around xmas is seems very pleased with it. Her horse is going much more forward and appears to be more relaxed and content, which at the end of the day is what it is all about. Her horse was always beautifully mannered and never bad, but she had concerns about his comfort and these appear to be resolved.

I would recommend them on what I have seen and really want to try one out myself once finances permit.

Yann or any other users, one question can you go from bitless to bitted and back again, or is it a case that once you have gone bitless you should not go back to a bitted bridle?

[cvb]

western training tends to start a horse bitless and progress on to bits - but I think folk might swap back if there is a need.

I had a soft mouthed gymkhana pony with no brakes. we went bitless if we needed to, and with a bit when we were doing e.g. pony club stuff.

I think the key here is consistency from the rider. I swap between english and western, and bitless and bitted, but there doesn't seem to be a problem unless I ask for something she doesn't understand.

e.g. my bosal acts a bit differently so she was not sure about "turn" cues first time I rode in it.

[Yann]

Likewise I school with a bit (rubber pelham) and hack bitless without any problem.

[vjwuk]

thanks for that, I shall start saving my pennies

[tasha]

Im tempted to try Kally bitless, but being a student I cant afford to fork out on anything, let alone another bridle. So I was going to have a go in a headcollar and reins in the school - is this a good idea?

PS I love Rio's mane!

[cvb]

when I was a kid, we used to ride round our field bareback with a headcollar "helping" my mum clear the field :rolleyes: ("There's one here mum !")

This was either with one lead rope or two...

One thing to watch is that you need a properly fitting headcollar - so it won't slip and slide.

You won't get the finesse etc you get from a properly designed bitless bridle... but its been done before and I'm sure it'll be done again :D

[Yann]

It would be a good idea - you'll be able to tell straight away how she'll respond and whether it's worth pursuing. I hacked out for a while in a headcollar at first but they tend not to fit very well so that's the reason I looked at something proper.

PS. That mane has taken two and a half years to get there, it was less than 2 inches long when we got her:)

[tasha]

I used to gallop my old pony in from the field bareback with just the one leadrope :D

I shoud have phrased it a bit better - I was wondering if it would give me an idication as to whether bitless was the way to go or not?

Edit - cross posted Yann! Thanks for that, hacking I'd have to be a bit tipsy and very mad to try (my horse is a schizophrenic - depends on where she is as to who she's gonna be :rolleyes: ) but will pick a time when not may others are up the yard and give it a go.

[cvb]

you've got it ;)

It will give you an idea of how your horse responds to nose pressure and not having a bit.

The Dr Cook will not exert pressure in quite the same way and places as a headcollar - but at least you'll have an idea....

[Drummers mum]

Yann, I'm convinced! Its lovely!

Do you have the reins? If not, what reins do you use? Are normal reins OK or is a certain size better?

Showjumper, pics please and hurry up about it, lol!:D

[Yann]

I don't have the reins, I have been using some Libby's webbing reins with trigger clips on. As the straps the reins tie on to are quite long (though they can be adjusted) you might find you have more spare in your hand than if you're using a bit, but that's not a big deal.

The alternative is to go down a rein size, I actually used a set of pony reins with it, but Libby's sizes are a touch odd anyway.

[Showjumper]

lol Drummers Mum, I posted some photos last night - not good, or clear (she was torn between hay and following me around, so I let her choose hay...)

They're in the thread Dolly Photos :)

[Drummers mum]

I love Dolly, she's so gorgeous!

I also love that leather bridle! Oh no I can feel a hole in my wallet appearing, lol!:D

Is it the padded one or just plain, its got a lovely nose band?

[Showjumper]

It's the plain one, but the noseband is quite squidgy and nice! :D

[Drummers mum]

Thats it, thats the one I'm buying! Its beaut! I don't think I'm even going to do a trial, I know Drum will love it, he long reins so well in his head collar! Oooooooooooooooo I'm so excited!:D

(On second thoughts I'd probably be a bit daft in the head if I didn't try first, lol!:o

Edit, What size do you have and what reins do you use?

[Showjumper]

lol! You get the 30 day trial whether you want it or not :p

Dolly wears a full size. It's on the middle hole around her nose, and about 3/4 way on the cheek-straps. The smaller size wouldn't have fitted her as well. Your best bet is to measure Drummer's head to make sure you get the right size :)

[Yann]

There's a measurement table on the website which gives the size ranges, and you can mix and match between them too. Rio is actually a large headstall and small noseband:)

[aljac]

Hey Yann

I would wholeheartedly agree with your comments on the Dr. Cook Bitless and the picture is handy as I was never sure if the noseband was the right distnace from Caspers mouth but it seems to be..:rolleyes:

I will attach some pictures of my handsome fella once I get some.

My pony seems to be more forward, seems to be driving from the back more and doesn't stumble any more he used to stumble two or three times whilst schooling and always hacking. I have hacked him in it and he was more relaxed. My nephew(13)likes the new bridle too, Casper used to yank his head down and pull poor old nephews arms out of his sockets but he is not doing that now.

He does not rub his face all over his legs and me! either he just uses me as a scratching post once I take the bridle off, he gets a bit sweaty around the ears! :D

But hey anyone thinking about it go ahead and do it!!:D ;) :)

[Drummers mum]

Oooo so can I even have leather on 30 day trial!

I saw the table, I was just curious as to what size she took as Drummer has quite a big head! I will measure him tomorrow!

Thanks!

Edit: Aljac, cross posted but its interesting to hear another persons point of view! Drummer has some terrible habits and I'm hoping the bitless will help towards some of them!

[No_Angel]

Just want to say that my girl has a medium sized Dr Cook and she has a big cob sized headcollar. She is 16.3hh.:D

[AussieNoBit]

Hi everyone

I've been enjoying reading a lot of posts on this forum. All very helpful and nice people by the looks of things.

Just wanted to pop a note on this particular post though to say that there are now quite a few different types of "No Bit Bridles" around the world, made by different people, under different designs.

I'm involved with the NoBit Bridle from Australia. Unfortunately when we chose our name some years ago now we were not aware of other bridles by the same name around the world or else we would have come up with something else to save confusion. This is our website www.nobitbridles.com so you know who we are as compared to others. We have an agent in the UK incase anyone has any questions about our NoBit. You can find Ellie's details on the website.

I guess the plus side is with all these types of NoBit Bridles as well as hackamores, side pulls and bosals etc is that we now have so many different options for our horses.

[Drummers mum]

Drummer only takes a pony size head collar but needs a cob brow band and nose band on his bridle, I've got a feeling I shall have to mix n match! lol!

[Drummers mum]

Just had a look at your nobit bridle Aussienobit. Its lovely, I love the colours, it has the same action as the Dr Cook, its a shame you don't have an English web site to buy on line!

Even better, there is a rather PINK picture of a certain very PINK looking young lady with a PINK bridle and an email saying how great it is!

Can you guess who it is? lol!:D

[AussieNoBit]

I didn't realise until recently that Millie's mum was a member of this forum. I think Millie looks great in that pink bridle.;)

You can order off us if you like as we do send quite a lot into the UK. You just have to allow about 7 to 10 days for the airmail delivery. Alternatively just contact Ellie at
eamcmillan@btinternet.com as she is in the UK and can arrange quicker delivery for you as she keeps most colours and sizes in stock.

[intouch]

Just wondering if you can get a horse "on the bit" in a bitless - if you know what I mean! I know you have to have a bit for dressage comps.
My boy goes nicely in self carriage but backs off a true contact, so I get "loss of contact" in otherwise decent tests. I've been wondering if the Dr Cook would give him more confidence.

[cvb]

simple answer is yes.

and if you've seen any of the decent bridleless demos - yes without a bridle as well !

[racipaci]

I'm thinking of trying the bitless bridle as Dave never seems 100% happy in his snaffle, the only thing i'm woried about is when I come to compete and have to put the snaffle back in, will the change unsettle him for the competition?

I guess I could school in a snaffle and hack in a no bit?

[chev]

'On the bit' is just a way of saying a horse is going nicely in a good outline, using his quarters properly (engaging his quarters - impulsion comes from behind, so not 'pulling' himself along from the front) and stretching his head forwards and down so his back is slightly raised and he's using his back muscles correctly. The hwole picture is then one of impulsion, lightness and balance. the phrase 'on the bit' probably derives from the fact that bitted bridles were the norm (and still are, in dressage).

But no, you don't honestly need a bit to get a horse 'on the bit'!

Yann - I'm convinced. I think Rhodri's going to start his career bitless (and by the time he's ready to start it I should have saved up the money for it! ;) :D )

[Yann]

LOL, have I started something here?:D

I wondered about the schooling thing, as Rio does go nicely in her Pelham, but I'm assured it can be and is done. Will be interesting to find out if Rio agrees!:)

[cvb]

Originally posted by racipaci
I'm thinking of trying the bitless bridle as Dave never seems 100% happy in his snaffle, the only thing i'm woried about is when I come to compete and have to put the snaffle back in, will the change unsettle him for the competition?

I guess I could school in a snaffle and hack in a no bit?

Surely he's still going to be not "100% happy" when you then swap back to snaffle ?

Plus you'd have to make sure that you were using the same aids with bit as w/o. And the presuure would be in entirely different place.

So yes IMHO it would unsettle him to just swap back for comps.

But the bitless might help him and you work out what the issue with the snaffle is ?

[sheil]

Regrettably, until such time (sometime in the next 100 years we hope ;)) that the rules are updated to allow Bitless Bridles in all competition / showing classes, many people have to put a bit in their horse's mouth for competition, despite the fact that they know that their horse performs much better without the bit.

They do all of their hacking, schooling etc bitless and literally only use the bit for the actual competition - they tell me that the horse performs better in competition under those circumstances, than when the horse was bitted all the time. This applies to driving too.

So, in the experience of countless users of The Bitless Bridle (genuine Dr Cook I must add, cannot say for other types of bitless bridle) it will probably not unsettle him just to use a bit for competition.

Let us know how you get on if you do decide to go down this route :)

PS: We also have countless Bitless Bridle users who now refuse to compete / show until the regulations are changed... I believe ShowJumper has been in contact with the BHS regarding use of the BB in competition.

[hackedoff]

Have ordered mine!!! will let you know how we get on.

[Drummers mum]

Have PMed Showjumper but will ask all your advice.

Drummer is 38" round ears so cob but is 22" round nose so puts him on the border, is bigger better and go for full nose band?

I'm talking about Dr Cook btw!

Have also emailed Sheila but I like asking you lot too!

[Drummers mum]

up up up Please help me!

[Yann]

LOL! Can't remember the size ranges off hand but you want to choose the noseband which has your horse's size in the middle of its range, not at one or other end of it, or you might find yourslef running out of or short of holes:)

[Drummers mum]

22" is top of the cob and middle of the Full! I am going to double check tomorrow anyway as Sheila doesn't have any of the leather bridles in stock! Only padded and thats too expensive, although.....................!:p

[xine]

thanks for the post yann,
i was wondering about the beta material (the draft size isn't available in leather) now i'm not so apprehensive. your photo looks really good. too bad you don't get a sales commision! you've convinced me more than the cook site!
chris

[sheil]

Originally posted by Drummers mum
... as Sheila doesn't have any of the leather bridles in stock! Only padded ...

in the colour and size Drummers mum wants :)

Stock of leather bridles should be fully replenished by the end of this week ;)

[Drummers mum]

Sorry, thats what I meant, I was just typing in a rush, I didn't mean to offend you.

[sheil]

No offence taken Em :D, just didn't want people thinking I had no leather bridles in stock :eek:

[Showjumper]

I have indeed! :) I got a lovely reply from the BHS stating that they don't have any problem with bitless bridles so long as they are fitted well and the horse is happy and comfortable.

They also see no problem with horses being ridden bitless in competition, and urge anyone to speak to the show secretary if they want to ride bitless and the rules don't state that they can't.

[Drummers mum]

Cool! well done you!:D