Can Anyone Recommend A Bitless Bridle?

[india]

Hi,

My horse hated (and I mean HATED) having a bit in his mouth. He's never had a problem with his mouth and has always had his teeth checked and rasped when necessary.

For the last three years I've ridden him in a natural hackamore but I'd like to take him to a few local shows next season and wondered if anyone could recommend (apart from a Dr Cooks) a pain free bitless leather bridle that may be suitable for him.

I believe these are allowed in the jumping classes but not sure about the showing classes - has anyone ever entered a showing class with their horse wearing a bitless bridle and if so what reaction did you receive from the judge?

Cheers :)

[No_Angel]

The dr cooks looks a bit more traditional. I have a leather sidepull on my pony and she goes nicely in it, i just bought a leather dr cooks noseband and put it on her normal bridle.
My girl has a happywheel on, you can just buckle that to their normal bridle aswell.
I made myself a pelham hackamore, and entered a showing class with my cob, judge didnt say anything and i was placed second:) but tha might have just been a good judge;)

[cvb]

india

I don't know about showing - it will probably depend on the level, class, and hence what rules they adopt..

but you could look at a scawbrig, or the US and Canada have something similar called a "jumping hackamore". Both of these would look quite conventional.

[DraftXLuvr]

I just purchased both a Dr. Cook's and a Nurtural bitless bridle. Apparetly the Nurtural is similar to Dr. Cook's but with a couple of improvements. I will report back after I have tried them both!

[india]

Thanks for your replies, I've certainly got a selection to choose from!!!

DraftXLuvr, does the Nurtural bitless bridle have the same steering principles as the Dr Cooks?

No_Angel, with attaching the Dr Cooks noseband onto an ordinary bridle does this mean the reins can be used in the traditional way?

cvb, is a scawbrig an attachment or a complete bridle?

I've nothing against the Dr Cooks bitless bridle, it's just that I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with the steering. I'd prefer to use one where you use the reins in the same way as a conventional bridle. :)

[No_Angel]

the scawbrig can be a whole bridle or an attachment, libbys do a webbing one and iv horse do a leather one (try horse and harmony for it).

what do you mean by using the reins the traditional way? Ive always used me reins the traditional way, tho i dont have a contact most of the time, i tend to ride on the buckle as i do more endurance type work and i encourage my horses to go about their busiess with their heads down, tho my cob does do 'outline' bitless.

a few pics of the leather sidepull
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/Picture0197.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/Picture0087.jpg

[Nookster]

I bought a dr cook a few months back. Don't find its different to the normal way of using reins.

But i have to say since going bitless. I hardly have any contact with the head and it did make me use my seat a lot more. He naturally went into a outline with no use of the bridle. Opened my eyes somewhat.

I did go back to a snaffle on sunday for a local show as i heard you were not allowed to use them showing. I felt i was a lot more for using the bit and we had a few disagreements. Mainly my fault as i hadn't used my hand and for some reason did now and again to cause disagreement as soon i realised and backed off he went well.

[DraftXLuvr]

It's my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that one would still use the reins the same with a Dr. Cook's or Nurtural bitless. I have read that people using these bitless bridles forget that they are riding bitless because they feel the same. The difference is that the horse does not feel pressure in his mouth.

The difference between the Dr. Cook's and Nurtural is that the Nurtural has shorter rein attachments, an additional piece to keep the crossed straps in place, and a cushioned nose band.

[india]

what do you mean by using the reins the traditional way?

Maybe I've misunderstood how the Dr Cook works. :o From what I was told I thought the steering was completely different to the traditional bridle or natural hackamore.

I'm used to riding the general NH way, in a natural hackamore with one hand, on a loose rein and only using my other hand for directing. could the Dr Cook's BB also be used in this way or could it pose problems?

[No_Angel]

the dr cook can be used however you like, like most bitless bridles, as long as it works and your horse is happy:D
if you prefer riding that way you can, if not yo can use the reins how you would with a bitted bridle.
I personally have a long rein and mostly ride with one hand, and use my body and move the reins across the neck to help steer:)

[Unbridled]

I've never noticed any difference in using the reins in a Dr. Cook or using it with a bridle and bit. Sugar even neck reins in her Dr. Cook. I have noticed that when direct reining Sugar is much, much lighter in the Dr. Cook and much more relaxed. I would never ride her in a bit again.

[india]

Well, I've gone and done it..........

Thanks to your replies and advice about bitless bridles (and for making me realise I'd entirely misunderstood how the Dr Cooks BB works):o I've just ordered a Dr Cooks Beta BB, all being well it will arrive on friday. :)

I'll keep you updated on how we get on with it.

Thanks again guys. ;)

[Unbridled]

Well done! I'm sure you won't regret doing so; even if it doesn't work out on your horse the company gives you 30 days to return it. But my horse adores the Dr. Cook...she will even put her head into it when I hold it up, something she would never do in a bit. We have no less brakes than before...in fact, we possibly have more, because now that Sugar is more relaxed she is even lighter and more responsive to aides.

Also, I wanted to clarify my earlier post that I would never put Sugar in a bit again. This is true, but not because I feel bits are necessarily cruel. She was just mishandled in a bit by previous owners and grew to mistrust them; in a bitless she is much more relaxed and happy. I realize all horses might not be the same way. However, I definitely think for anyone who is interested it is worth giving a try. :)

[Nookster]

I got the dr cook beta version first also. Within the 30 days i sent it back........... to upgrade to the padded leather one :D

Love it

[No_Angel]

I hope you get on with it:) I have the beta version, but dont use it (and dont want to sell it) as my horses just dont get on with it (all 5 of them)

[india]

It's arrived!!!!

First impressions on the Dr Cooks BB......very impressed with the quality and workmanship of the bridle, had a quick read through the manual and thought the detailed instructions on how the bridle should be correctly fitted was excellent.

I thought it would take some time to get the BB fitted correctly on ned but low and behold no alterations where needed, it fitted him perfectly - just as if the bridle had been made to measure!!!!!

To be on the safe side, I circled him on the 22' line at walk trot and canter before I rode him. He remained calm and relaxed but still responsive throughout (both on line and when ridden).

I realise this may be the honeymoon period and problems could still arise but at the minute I'm very pleased with my new purchase. :D

Oh, nearly forgot to ask...does anyone know if you can perform the one rein stop with the BB as I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere in the manual.

[DraftXLuvr]

It sounds like your first impression was similar to mine. :) I have the same thoughts as you on the "honeymoon period."

By "one rein stop" do you mean the one rein emergency stop, or just stopping normally with one rein? This may seem a silly question, but I always stop my horse with lifting only one rein rather than pulling back on both.

I also wondered about the emergency stop. I have not tried it in the BB yet, so I am not sure of the answer.:confused:

[india]

By "one rein stop" do you mean the one rein emergency stop, or just stopping normally with one rein?
I was on about the one rein emergency stop, it's what I use in certain situations when riding him in the natural hackamore. :)

[DraftXLuvr]

I would think that if you can stop your horse with the hackamore, you could also do it the same way with the BB. Someone with more emergency stop experience should probably give you better advice. I have only had to use it one time out on the trails and it was in a regular snaffle bridle.

[Unbridled]

Yes, you can use the emergency stop in the Dr. Cook; I've done so with Sugar and it works just the same as with a bit.

Have you ridden in your bitless bridle yet or just lunged in it? When you first start riding make sure you do it in a safe place, like in an arena with the gate shut. But your horse will probably adjust to the change very quickly--I hacked Sugar out alone the second time I ever used the Dr. Cook and she did just fine. :)

EDITED TO ADD:

I forgot to add that I also own the Beta version of the Dr. Cook and it's great. After a long, sweaty hack when everyone else is wearily oiling leather, all I have to do is run the water hose over my bridle and I'm done. True, it's still not as pretty as leather, but I find it much more useful.

[DraftXLuvr]

Thanks Appy this is good to know! I rode my horse on the Dr. Cook's the day that I got it. I long lined my horse in it first and he didn't seem to mind it. He was just fine when I rode him too! :) I have the beta version and it is a breeze to clean. :D

[india]

.....Thanks Appy this is good to know!
Ditto.....I've only had to use the one rein stop in an actual emergency a couple of times but I like to practice it now and again to make sure the brakes are still in working order. :)

I've also got the Beta version and actually prefer it to a leather or webbing bridle, not only because of how easy it is to clean but also because how soft and supple it is - I should imagine it's very comfortable for the horse to wear.

Yes Appy, I've also ridden in the BB (albeit only in the paddock and arena) and so far so good. I'm hacking out this weekend and will keep you updated on the progress. :)

Edited to add:
Decided to play today instead of riding, I though you might like to see my boy playing his favourite game....jumping at liberty.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y75/rushmoor/eae71013.jpg

[DraftXLuvr]

That is a beautiful horse you have there! My horse likes to just plow through the jumps rather than over them. If the jumpers leave their barrels or jumps up, Jazz will go around and knock them all down when he is turned out! :rolleyes:

[india]

That is a beautiful horse you have there! My horse likes to just plow through the jumps rather than over them. If the jumpers leave their barrels or jumps up, Jazz will go around and knock them all down when he is turned out! :rolleyes:
Thanks for the compliment DraftLuxr, I think he's rather special...but there again I'm biased.:D

B hasn't always enjoyed jumping, infact, he had to be ridden/jumped in a waterford bit by his previous owner because he used to tank of as soon as he reached the other side of a jump (and very often when out hacking)!!

Through process of elimination, I realised this was probably due to him constantly being jabbed in the mouth when being ridden/jumped and because of this, he associated wearing any bit with pain.

So, after watching a demonstration and being impressed with what I saw, I began following the Parelli system (but not as a purist). B came on in leaps and bounds and 'we' passed our level 1 on a live assessment a couple a years back. However, PNH requires the bit to be reintroduced midway through L2 and I wasn't prepared to do this, so now we just enjoy playing the PNH L2and L3 online and liberty games and continue to ride bitless.

Wow, sorry.........I've rambled on there a bit haven't I. :D

[DraftXLuvr]

That's ok, I think this board is all about rambling on about our horses. :) I've seen Jazz jump over a couple of jumps when I am standing on the other side of the arena with a treat. He will perk up and start running toward me, and sometimes he will jump over the jumps. Everyone at the barn loves to watch him jump because he's so big with big furry feet. Maybe one day I will actually get to jump while riding him. Just some small jumps to teach him about getting over fallen logs on the trail. Most of them he can step over. He does enjoy rolling those big plastic barrels around with his nose in the arena though...:rolleyes:

[Sienna Star]

Try the IV Horse Scawbrig Bitless Bridle from horse and harmony, i have a black leather one, cost £80 and worth every penny, it looks great and would be suitable for showing.

[DraftXLuvr]

I got my Nurtural bitless bridle (nylon) and have tried it several times now. I do like it very much! The things I like better than the Dr. Cook's are that it has a rubber padding under the nose band with little nubby things on it that keep it from slipping, and also provide a little extra weight for stopping power. Also the circle keeper under the chin does help keep the straps from twisting. The only thing I don't like is that it is a little hard to get the headstall over my horse's ears. It is stiff and hard and I have to bend his ears flat to get them under. It's not that big a deal though, my horse likes his ears touched. It's just different than a regular bridle and the Dr. Cooks slips on over the ears like a regular bridle.

I am loving riding bitless!

[Imp]

Oh, oh, what a timely thread! I'm about to buy a Dr Cook's BB for my mare.

I've been working with an IH RA and she rode her yesterday in her Dually with the reins attached. What a change in her manner :eek: Megan normally hates schooling but had a lovely time, it revealed a lot to me about her nature - she really wants to please, but has bad association with the bit (her teeth are fine).

She spent the first 5 minutes circling in walk, Megan was chewing the air looking for the bit (she leans hard on the bit). She then seemed to realise there wasn't a bit and her ears went up and she had a lovely walk and trot around the school without one silly moment - she did swing her head to the side when first asked to trot, she does this in the field when she trots to us at dinner time so I assumed it was a happy head swing. Instructor commented on how responsive and forward going she is; I assured her she isn't normally when bitted.

RA said I wouldn't be covered for insurance if I hacked her out in the Dually but that a proper bitless bridle would be fine :D

Let us know how it progresses, I'll be watching this thread

The bareback pad's in the post too http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/lynda788/SMILIES/bouncythingy.gif

[india]

Well, things haven't worked as planned....

Our first hack in the bitless bridle had to be cancelled because B's lame:( We've done quite a bit of jumping just lately and I think this could be where his lameness stems from.

DraftXLuvr, the Nurtural BB sounds as if it's quite a good bridle, please keep us updated on the pro's, con's and comparisons with the Dr Cooks - it's really interesting.:)

Imp, I've only been riding in a Dr Cooks for a short time, but by what I've experienced so far, I thoroughly recommend them!!! What type of bareback pad have you ordered? I've got a 'BestFriend' one and they're brilliant. ;)

[DraftXLuvr]

Oh India I am sorry to hear about B's lameness! I hope he is feeling better.

I have another update on my bitless bridle comparison. After riding a few weeks in the Nurtural, yesterday I decided to go back to the Dr. Cook's and compare. I did some arena work, and then went out on the trail with two other riders.

What I discovered quickly in the arena is that there is a marked difference between response time in direct reining. Remember, my horse is 3 yrs old, and has only been ridden for about 3 months. He does not know neck reining yet and has only begun to recognize seat and leg cues. So direct reining is what I have to use until he consistently follows my seat and leg cues. The big difference between the Nurtural and Dr. Cook's is where the reins attach to the bridle. On the Dr. Cook's the metal rings that you clip your reins to have about 8-10 inches (20-25cm) distance from the noseband. On the Nurtural, the metal rings can be adjusted so that they are right next to the noseband (like a sidepull or jumping hackamore).

When I went to steer him in the Dr. Cook's, I noticed a delayed reaction from my horse because I believe the leverage was different from the Nurtural because of the distance of the rein connection from the noseband. It took more pressure from me to get him to turn his head. Literally I had to paw through alot of rein to make him do it compared to the Nurtural. With the Nurtural I used much less pressure, most of the time just a movement of my fingertips to get him to respond. This could also be beacause the Nurtural has a heavier rubber padded noseband.

On the trail, we were bringing up the rear, and a good thing too. A large German Shepherd dog came out of nowhere, and Jazz decided the dog was definitely going to eat him and took off. I was able to stop him pretty quickly but I am not entirely sure it was with the bridle, or the horse's rear end in front of us. Probably both. I believe it may have taken me a little longer to stop him in the Dr. Cook's because I had to slide my hand down the rein a ways and pull hard before I could get his head turned and his hindquarters disengaged.

Overall, I think both bridles are well made and work fine with a well trained horse. However, the Nurtural has some definite avantages over the Dr. Cooks. I believe the action of the Nurtural is closer to that of a bit because the reins are attached where a bit would be attached. Also it has the action of a sidepull or jumping hack because of the padded noseband and where the reins are attached. All this in addition to the "hugging" action of the BB makes for a great tool.

[india]

DraftXLuvr, what a brilliant in depth comparison, thanks for taking the time to post it. It definately seems as if the nurtural BB is suiting you and Jazz more so than the Dr Cook's. :)

The only concern I'd have with the nurtural BB would be the heavier rubber noseband. My horse tends to fight against any type of direct pressure by either headshaking or pulling at the reins. :confused:

With the Dr Cooks this problem hasn't reared it ugly head (yet), maybe this is due to the overall hugging action of the bridle, but I'm not to sure the extra pressure applied by the nurtural noseband wouldn't make the problem re-occur.

He's still out of action at the minute but he's gradually improving, so hopefully we'll be back on track within the next couple of weeks.

Please keep us updated, it's very interesting reading your views. :)