Bitless bridles for cheeky monsters!

[alwaysfallingof]

I've been thinking about going bitless with Max for a while now. He was ridden in a flash when I bought him, and I've recently got to the point where I can ditch the noseband completely, so we've made some progress.
However, he can still be a bit of a little monster when he wants to be - occasional napping, diving to the side, miraculously spooking to the side *every* time I ask for a canter transition :rolleyes: :p
If I went bitless with him, would I lose all control? ...because sometimes he just ignores me and barges where he wants, and I have to use the added "OI!!" that having a bit gives me.

[KarinUS]

I had the same concerns when I investigated bitless for our -sometimes headstrong- mare, especially since she is ridden by my relatively inexperienced OH! :eek:
What I didn't realize was that we didn't have 100% control with the bit either.
The bitless is not a magic bullet. The horses will still have their own opinions. But I find that in the bitless I witness less struggle between OH and his mare. She seems more agreeable.
Should she decide to tank off she can do that with or without bit.
I took the plunge because they offered a 30-day trial. And then we liked it so much we purchased one for the second horse, too.

Just try it out and see if it works for you!

[No_Angel]

The thing about the Dr Cook style bitless bridle is that the horse can't really get away from the pressure, it can't get the bit between its teeth and run.
My mare can get very cheeky sometimes, especially when we were out hunting and she tried everything in her power to nap to the hunt masters, then finally gave up and stood in a bush, and wouldn't move. She has also napped a few times when out hacking and I have pretty good control, as she can'r get away from the pressure, I do use a martingale tho as she tends to carry her head high and I have to look round her head.
I think the only thing you can do is try it.
Also think what sort of bitless might suit you horse. Ive got 4 horses, three are bitless and the one whos just come back from on loan will be bitless when she comes back into work. I use a Dr cook, an english hackamore and a german hackamore.

[temujin]

i ride bitless. my ponys quite spooky but she trust me quite alot but she goes well and shes very responsive to the bridle.
i think everyone should ride bitless cos then it save the horse if you have heavy hands and doesnt ruin their mouth plus you work with your horse much more cos you can feel so much betta!
i made my bridle (parelli pressure halter style with rings at the side for reins and i ride with loose contact), but the Spirit ones seem quite good -tho i dont know where you can buy them from!
:) love your horsey 4eva and he' love u back 4 eternity :)

[Drummers mum]

I have just posted this reply on another thread but I thought it was relevant here!

Get a Dr Cook, I love mine, Drummer loves it even my instructor likes it!!!lol!

Mine took a bit of getting used to and we had some steering issues in it at fisrt but Drummer is so much more relaxed and forward going in it. I have even started to get him working better from behind. In his bit he used to stick his nose in the air and evade. I also love it for hacking because when he spooks I know I can't jab him in the mouth if he catches me unawares and also he can get a bit excited with others and I have much better control!

Hope that helps a bit!

[notpoodle]

id love to try it but am too much of a chicken to do it i think :( (and i cant afford a dr cook!). ive heard all sorts of horrible stories of ponies tanking off in hackamores and rope halter things ... is a crosspull 'safer' in that respect you think? do you all use it out hacking (in traffic?) as well?

julia

x

ps: like max, angel is no bolter or anything, but *can* take the mick and has a knack of being evasive (but then again, could that be because she isnr keen on bits?!)

[No_Angel]

I think a hackamore is stronger than a crosspull. My horse Murphy is a very strong HW cob who when he feels like it sets his neck and hes off, nothing can stop him apart from his german hackamore, he runs right through a pelham sometimes.
In the sense of stopping bitless bridles are better because the horse cant get the 'bit between their teeth' and so you have a better chance of stopping.

[Dales_Lover]

My mare can get very cheeky sometimes, especially when we were out hunting and she tried everything in her power to nap to the hunt masters, then finally gave up and stood in a bush, and wouldn't move.

Sounds exactly like Ebby :D

[temujin]

i do everything in my bridle
hack
jump
school
nd i would do shows but im not sure thats allowed with my bridle and also my silly pony ;) (i love her really!) wouldnt be able to compete anyway!

[KarinUS]

After last weekends trail ride my OH and I agree: for cheeky monsters the bitless actually seems to provide more control.
OH's horse can be so headstrong and in the past they sometimes got into an 'argument'. The mare would get upset, etc.
With the bitless she doesn't get annoyed. It's definitely has improved things and does not offer less control than a bit.