Bitless Bridle Question...........

[Dales_Lover]

If (a big if) I got one of the Bitless Bridle (the Dr Cook one) could you at all fit it under/over a bridle? I have no small space/area/school to 'try it out' in until August - so I would have to ride out on the tracks in it. Now I could just pop it on up the field and walk down the small track, turn around and go back up - but before going mad in it (reckon it's safe for roadwork?) I really need to test it with back up brakes (a bit).

Help?!

[No_Angel]

You could get a headstall and cheekpieces and add the bit over the BB, with two sets of reins. Or tie the reins on the bit in a knot until you need thenm.

Hope this helps.
Tasha

[Waikato Valuta]

If you dont have a nose band it might work, but a better way would be to check if he can be ridden in halter as it's similar. and a halter easily fits under the bridle.

[Dales_Lover]

I ride her up to her field (bout 10 mins?) in a headcollar/rope halter sometimes - we have limited brakes, a lot of leg get's her turning and she can go up/down a gear easily.

I've found a close up of the synthetic one and it looks like I could fit her bridle (no noseband) over the top easily?!

[hackedoff]

I reckon without a noseband it'll fit fine BUT you will lose the effect of the horse not having the bit in! Personally I would get someone to lunge you in it.

[Dales_Lover]

I reckon without a noseband it'll fit fine BUT you will lose the effect of the horse not having the bit in! Personally I would get someone to lunge you in it.

I guess - but I would use the bitless then have the bit for back-up until I knew we would have brakes and steering!

Lungeing - well, I guess it would help if pony and rider knew how to lunge! Good idea though - i'll keep it in mind.

[hackedoff]

well you could just get someone to clip on a line and go out for a walk/trot (someone fit, mind :D ) I think you'll find you have brakes. I ride a bonehead 5 year-old in one and I have plenty of brakes and more steering than in a bit. Let's face it a bit never stopped a horse bolting, did it? :D

[shikari]

libbys bitless bridle is half price at the moment, think its £15 if you wanna try her in a cheap one before forking out for a dr cook (thats what i've done!!!)

[Showjumper]

How about getting those bit clips that attach to a headcollar? You could clip those onto the bridle which would minimise bulk but it would still be there just in case :)

[Dales_Lover]

How about getting those bit clips that attach to a headcollar? You could clip those onto the bridle which would minimise bulk but it would still be there just in case :)

Now that's a good idea - how do you attach them to the headcollar? My brains isn't working today sorry!

[Dales_Lover]

Oohh I get it now - I have the headcollar and attatch the bit to the headcollar - or to the bridle? Help!

[Drummers mum]

He he, I think you are worrying about nothing, you will be fine! :D

You can get a slip head thingimy that is just a head piece that has a cheek piece attached one side and an adjustable cheek peice on the other, they aren't bulky then. They had loads on sale in countrywide yesterday! :D

libbys bitless bridle is half price at the moment, think its £15 if you wanna try her in a cheap one before forking out for a dr cook (thats what i've done!!!)
:eek: :eek: Lol, only joking!

[Showjumper]

These are the things I mean: http://www.robcl.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCode=56906

Rather than putting a headcollar on her (bulk, again) I'd attach them to the noseband on the bridle :)

[Dales_Lover]

Ohhh, so I attatch them to the bitless bridle? Good idea..........

[tazzle22]

check if he can be ridden in halter as it's similar. and a halter easily fits under the bridle.

the dr cook bridle is NOT like riding in a headcollar and it is perhaps this misunderstanding that makes people doubt the effectiveness of a BB. The areas of contact are different and are both much more subtle ... yet can have much more effect if needed than a headcollar.

I agree that ff a horse is quiet and responsive ridden in a headcollar with leadrope attached , yes he will probably take to the DR cooks like a duck to water ....... but the reverse is not true. ie.e he might be like a tank ridden in a heacollar yet still be responsive in a BB.


It is effective enough for roadwork ... I have done endurace ( including roadwork and hills /dales and everything in between). my daughters horse - that trots like a train with a bit in and sets herself against a bit, trots beautifully for the novice that shares her ... now shes in a BB.

I am not saying it is a miracle cure for all horse ails ...... but I am a HUGE fan of the BB ....... .well not that you would notice :rolleyes:

We have had dr cooks for five years and have introduced a few ggs to them LOL.

If you want to have a bit as backup then I would suggest the headstall and bit over the bb ..... what you do with the reind depends on whether you are used to double bridle /reins or not. I dont think you can attach those bit holders to a BB , there is not an appropriate ring.( I thinkthe only bridles I have seen with them are the combination bridles.

you might also try long lining him up the track, even along the road with someone at his head for safety ..... (more for any steering wibbles than brake trouble LOL) . You could test him up to trot in that !

First few canters I would do in an area where you can have a short canter towards a fence or up a hill ( and not in company unless he will slow when they slow ) ... that way if he is a usual "tanker" hes not got a head of steam up !!!!

anyway, good luck and have fun

btw .... if you buy the bridle and you dont get on with it you can return it within 30 days ... so all it will have cost you is postage ....... . There is even a webbing version if you dont want to shell out on beta or leather one..... and you can uprade if you want within the 30 days !!!

[mustang fan]

I think you can if you dont have a noseband or cavason.