Which bitless would you recommend?

[NuttyMare]

For a horse that is young, does NOT like having the bridle put on (is obviously scared and stressed as he takes to trying to pull the metal off the top of the door when the bridle appears which is obviously showing a great amount of tension and distress (like a person gritting their teeth when they're in pain) but is otherwise the sweetest horse to be around. He takes a while to trust in people, but gives the best hugs ever!

Ok, I'll stop going off track now.

He head tosses when ridden (not constantly but my instructor has put it down to "bad manners") and this seems like the type of horse to benefit from bitless IMO. He isn't strong.

Not the greatest amount of cash to play around with, so Dr Cook may be a little out of the question? Or is it worth saving up for for this type of horse?

[KarinUS]

if you want a Dr Cook you can save money by ordering the Beta instead of the Leather and use your own reins- don't buy theirs

[NuttyMare]

Would you suggest a Dr Cook then?

[Showjumper]

I really like my Dr Cook. It gives very precise cues, and Dolly offers her nose when I ask to bridle her. She obviously likes it as much as I do :)

[NuttyMare]

Thanks Showjumper :D

[No_Angel]

I llike my Dr Cook but find my hackamore easier to put on. My TB doesn't like the hackamore, to much pressure for her, but my Id x tb is fine with the hackamore (haven't tried the Dr Cook on her)
You could even try a scawbrig.
My id x tb isn't strong at all, neither is my tb, but I use a hackamore on her as she goes nicely with it and I dont want to struggle with her as she rears.
I use a german hackamore on my Hw cob for fast work, or a english hackamore with a curb chain at the back for slow work.
If you want something very mild a scawbrig might be good.
Hope this helps
Tasha

[NuttyMare]

Thanks a lot Tasha :)

[KarinUS]

Yes, I like my Dr. Cooks. I am using it on our Western horse as well as on my English trained horse.

[NuttyMare]

Thanks everyone for the help :D

[shandy84]

Also shandy has taken to headshaking recently and it was due to midges a nose net may help stop it becoming a habit if you try a bitless and he still head tosses.

I personally like a hackamore for bitless but when I have a little more money will be saving for a slightly more bitless bridle. if you wanted to try a hackamore as you're local i could let you borrow it ad see if it helps any before you spend out, let me know if yu want to.

good luck with him....you've got to post about him now though those little titbits are highly unfair :)

[Dales_Lover]

Get the neck and back checked out first. Horse near me was the same and the vet found she had put something out in her neck, poor thing.

[temujin]

i use my bitless bridle as a head collar aswell so i dont ever have to 'put a bridle on' as it were.
its good; ive ridden for nearly a year in it for jumping, schooling and out on hacks. no extreme difference form riding in a snaffle.
cheap also cos you can make it yourself :P (i got my rope from a gardening store)
see this link:
http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/tiehalter.shtml

[NuttyMare]

Hehe, thanks everyone.

[Drummers mum]

Have to put in my 2 peneth!!

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

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! :D

2 peneth over! :p