help

[Tuff_up]

i have used a bit for two horses and they both hate it rearing up or running away when they see the bit/bridle i only have 1 now so i have been thinking about going bit less my old instructor said i did nothing wrong bridling and my horse is going head shy please give me your advice i have been looking at a dr.cook western bridle my mare will be 5 in may and any kind of advice on any kind of bit less will do i didn't know how many different kinds of bitless options you can get

[hApPiNeSs]

have you got your horse's teeth checked by an equine dental technision? she may have a pain which would make her resent a bridle

[dcp]

Sounds like your horse was experiencing discomfort. I would have the teeth checked and also the bit and bridle.

[Shadowlark]

Take a peek at the nurtural bridle (www.nurturalhorse.com)- made here in Canada, I like it better then my Dr. Cook.
But yes get her teeth checked! What kind of bit is it that she is worried about? The very commonly used in our neck of the woods Tom thumb bit is actually VERY harsh despite being depicted as a training bit

[Tuff_up]

thanks guys and yeah i should get her teeth checked but the bit is the sma ebit used by her other owner and they had no problems i would still like to know more about different types of bitless bridles though i want to know if i should use a hackmore,dr.cook ect.

[esse]

If the exact same bit is or has been used by someone else with no problems I would be doing two things - first, checking the bit very carefull ALL OVER for any burrs or sharp edges - anything; and secondly checking MY HANDS. This would be after having the horse's mouth checked, of course.

A bit is only as severe to a horse as the rider's hands make it.

With this in mind, your hands need to be JUST as careful/sensitive on the reins when using a bitless bridle as when using a bit. A bitless bridle is not going to be the answer if the problem lies in your hands - or, for that matter, if the problem lies in a sensitive part of the jaw that a part of the bridle, and especially a noseband, is pressing on.