Another question! Bitless?

[EnduranceAli]

Frayne hates the bit she came with (rubber covered, jointed, D-Ring snaffle). She mouths it, opens her mouth when pressure is put on the reins, and her last rider said she does try to put her tongue over the bit.

I would love to go bitless, so is it worthwhile trying another bit (I was thinking of a frenchlink, loose-ring snaffle) - or should I just chuck the bit out and go straight to a bitless (the Lodge Ropes Half-Bosal looks a possibility)?

I am basically restarting her, what with the enforced break from riding due to no saddle and her lack of ridden experience before (only broken in a year ago and only schooled in the field since then). My ideal is for her to be going happily bitless, treeless and barefoot - we intend to do pleasure rides etc.

I am happy to be patient and put the work in - she is only 7 and we have a long future ahead of us :)

Ali xx

[Mehitabel]

chances are, given she is an exmoor, that the bit is too fat and the wrong shape for her mouth. if you want to stay bitted, try a narrow mouthpiece french link or mullen mouth one - native ponies have fat tongues and low palates, so a fat bit is too much of a mouthful, and the single joint of a jointed snaffle pokes into the palate.

personally, i'd recommend staying bitted for the time being while you get to know each other - you know she has been taught to respond to a bit, but you don't know she knows how to respond to a bitless bridle. so wile you get to know each other, keep her in something you know she understands, and then experiment when you have the measure of each other.

[EnduranceAli]

Thanks - bit is definitely too fat for her small mouth. Will get a narrow, french-link for her. I have used loose-ring in the past and found it good for sensitive mouths - but a full-cheek has also been suggested. Any ideas?

[Mehitabel]

loosering moves more in her mouth, some like the stability of an eggbutt, some like to play with them, so that is really an individual preference thing. petal goes slightly better in the loosering, copper slightly better in the eggbutt.
full cheeks will help with steering if that is an issue, also hold the bit slightly stiller in the mouth, if it is a fulmer - halfway between the loosering and the eggbutt actions. a full cheek eggbutt will be just the same stability-wise but help with steering.

[No_Angel]

I found the same thing with ted when i rode him with a bit, he was so heavy and fouhgt against it so much I just felt out of control, he wouldnt stop and I felt like I was hauling on his mouth. Hes been bitless with me now and hes great, hes very light in the hand and stops brilliantly from weight aids, turns nicely and basically so much nicer to ride than when i rode him in a bit.

[Yann]

I just think its a case of trying different things out and seeing what works. I've just tried Tess out bitless and have been very impressed with the results so far. I've got a Dr Cook and much to my surprise she schools beautifully in it and I didn't need a parachute when we went on the stubble:D

[wedney]

Hi
Can i join your bitless thread?

I have been riding my mare in a Dr cook and although she goes well in it (jumping have brakes etc) I have a desire to do classical dressage. Unfortunately as the Dr cook puts pressure on the opposite side of the head there can be no direct rein pressure and therefore flexion is difficult, also although there is some release it is not quick enough or definate for her to get a reward and therefore learn correctly.

I have swapped to a hackamore and whilst I am getting a lovely soft round horse in the school, I think it is a bit harsh for her and I am getting some indication that she is finding it uncomfortable.

Can anyone tell me how they have got on with the happy wheel, or has anyone tried the equibridle. Do you know if anyone does trials?

[No_Angel]

I have a happywheel, well 2 now. I really like them, i have mine set up so its more of a sidepull action untill the reins are lifted and then the curb comes into action. All of my horses (6 of them) go well in it.