Alternative to bits?

A

Anna.C

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Apr 7, 2000
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Devon
I've been reading the thread 'Pulling too much on the bit' with alot of interest. I'm pretty new to horse owning and have always felt a little uncomfortable with the idea of a piece of metal in the horses mouth. Having tried out Heather and Sarah's demos of how harsh a bit can be I'm even more uncomfortable! (ouch!). I'm sure a bit doesn't have to be like that in the hands of an experienced rider, but what about all the wobbly hamfisted learners like me? Are bitless bridles the way to go, or are they just as harsh on other parts of the head? I practice very hard at my weight aids, and can manage turns and walk-halt transitions in the school without the use of the reins, but out on a hack, where there are distractions its another matter.
What's the answer for us 'equitationally challenged'???
All suggestions gratefully received.
Anna
 
There are bitless bridles that i have used. they weem to work all right.They way they stop the horse is to pull down their head, so there may be some pressure around the nose area. If you do get one, get your horse used to the feeling. In order to stop a horse, you really don't have to pull that hard, the horses can feel the pull. well, good luck on deciding to use them or not.
 
Bitless can be equally as severe, depending on what type you use. Leverage hackamores (which I use ocasionally on traiols for convenience) work by putting pressure under the horse's chin with a curb strap (I use a leather one instead of a chain one). If a horse is taught how to work in it, they work very well, and you can teach the horse to respond to very little pressure. My mare that used to be ridden full time in a hackamore stops by voice command alone.

There are also hackamores that are called bosals. They are essentially a ring of rawhide or other material that goes around the horse's nose, and when you pull on the reins they put pressure on the nerves that are exposed along the side of the horse's face (because of this, they have to be positioned correctly or they won't work). A horse has to be trained to use this type of bridle, because it offers very little actual control- if the horse really wants to bolt or whatever, pulling on your reins will have about the same effect as if your horse was wearing a halter.

If you do decide to use a bitless bridle, I would reccomend you practice in an arena or other enclosed area first to see how your horse responds to it. The most important thing to rememeber is that you should never yank on the reins, no matter what type of bridle your horse is wearing.

Allie
 
You could try a rubber or plastic bit if the idea of metal troubles you, Anna, but I'm sure lots of horses are perfectly comfortable with their bits.It's usually quite obvious if they aren't. I ride my pony in a fat, German snaffle; I think that's kinder than a thin bit, but if I am rough or careless with it he pulls horrible faces, so I know he's OK most of the time.
 
Thank you for all the information! I ride Harry in a HappyMouth eggbutt snaffle, which I believe is fairly mild(?). He seems quite happy in it although he does sometimes lean on it, I'm told that this is because he was used as a driving pony in the past. It sounds as though a bitless bridle would be just as severe as a bit in inexperienced hands, so I think I'll stick with his bit for now and concentrate on keeping my hands as light as possible.
Quick question LindaAd, what does a German snaffle look like? I'm constantly confused about the huge range of bits - especially snaffles and the different ways in which they work!!
Thanks again.
Anna
 
It's a thick mouthpiece, Anna, about as thick as my thumbs, tapering towards the joint in the middle. But maybe I'm wrong to call it a German snaffle; I always thought that's what it was, but now I can't find it in any book! Maybe it's just an ordinary eggbutt snaffle?
 
If your horse used to be driven he probably had a pretty "hard" mouth to begin with. If you change bits does he change? If not you should just pick one that makes you feel comfortable (the idea of) and stick with it. It seems that the more joints the better so that's my advice.
Hackamores are the general alternative to bits but, there is a new kind of bridle that is put together (bitless) and instead of exerting pressure on the nose it presses behind the ears.
As far as steady hands for practice you can ride with a little cup of water in each hand and there is another thing that is sort of like a hula hoop that the reins are attached to and you steer with the hoop (around the horse's neck.) I've never used it but i know someone who has her riders use it.
simple, gentle, joints are good,
good luck ;)
Allie T
 
Thanks for suggestions, I liked the sound of the cups of water, but I think they would have to be imaginary otherwise both Harry and I would be soaked in minutes! When I got him Harry was ridden in a rubber coated D-ring snaffle, but he kept chewing the rubber off! I had his teeth checked then switched to the HappyMouth eggbutt, which is fatter. He doesn't seem to chew it in the same way, which I suppose must be good! Could anyone explain to me difference in the actions of a D-ring and a 'round' ringed snaffle? Does the shape/size of the ring make a big difference to the way the bit affects the horse's mouth? Sorry about all the questions... each time I get an answer I think up another one! Maybe I'll try and get a book on the subject.
Anna
 
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