Bit less options and dressage

[teamfire]

Hello!

I have a 13 year old gray Andalusian cross, and unfortunately we have found his first melanomas in his mouth during his dental.

He’s only had a few, tiny, unchanging ones up to this point, but they are in spots that are less concerning. I have no idea if these are super old and slow changing or maybe not.

He has one on each side of his mouth, one is very small but the other is already the size of a dime or so. Fairly flat still. They dont quite sit in the corner of his mouth, but just in front of where the bit would rest, towards his nose inside the upper lip area. So right now they do not interfere at all with his bit, which is just a basic o ring single joint snaffle.

However, I like to be prepared. I dont know what his future will be like. I worked with a small animal Oncologist on her team for a few years, so I’m pretty familiar with the protocols there but melonoma seem to be less aggressive in horses.

I would like to keep working on our dressage goals until it no longer is benefiting my horse. However, it may come to point where a bit will no longer be comfortable (size of tumors, or surgery perhaps) but he really enjoys having a job. He is my first horse and I only entered the horse world about 10 years ago now so I still am learning so I don’t really know much about bitless options. So I am beginning my research now before I need it. I thought hearing from other dressage folk might lead us in an appropriate path.

Any recommendations of systems that might work for us? He is very face sensitive but a good learner, so I’m sure we can adjust to anything. Hoping to find something we can start to play around on the trails to start before introducing it as arena work.

My apologies for being long winded… !

[MyssMyst]

Western dressage allows a bosal at any age, I believe.

[RedHorses]

I use an English jumping hackamore with leather curb strap on mine. “Contact” becomes taking up the rein just enough to take the slack out of the curb without applying pressure - this allows the horse to feel the smallest finger twitch.

I found that riding dressage in the hackamore really helpful in learning to keep the contact balanced between left and right hands.

[pluvinel]

The dressage classes of Working Equitation competition do not require a bit.

[AZ_TD]

@Snowdenfarm

I found this the cheapest way to try bitless. It is just a simple side pull that attaches to any bridle. I also have a Dr. Cook, but found it makes my horse curl. The ThinLine side pull noseband is still my horse’s and my favorite two years later. There are many options, even double bridles. None are acceptable in shows – unless that show allows you to ride Hors Concours. HC let’s you ride and get your test back with the judge’s comments, but you are not eligible for placing or ribbons.

Sorry, if you ride HC at a recognized show, you must still follow all the USEF rules.

[kelo]

Western Dressage allows you to compete bitless – you can check their equipment rules for specifics, but that would be a great option.

Or you might have to be prepared to just do dressage lessons and not show (or maybe just schooling shows with the proper dispensation from show management?). I know several people who have had mouth issues with their horse, and they ride in bitless equipment for the horse’s well-being, and I commend you on your concern and forward thinking.

[hoopoe]

western dressage and working equitation sound like exciting options.

I echo Az TD to ride HC at a show you must comply with all the rules

[MysticOakRanch]

For competition, you can also check with schooling shows - some of them will waive equipment requirements. On the home schooling front - you can do pretty much anything you want! It is only if you are showing that you run into rules. I’ve seen people who can school all the upper level work in a halter or a bosal - so if you don’t need to compete, just find what works for your horse and move forward with it. If you clinic, make sure the clinician is OK with your equipment of choice…

[teamfire]

Thank you for all your responses! Western dressage sounds like a future competitive option…!

Although I was interested in showing , its not a major motivator for me right now. I’m ok keeping at home and just doing lessons. I still have a lot to learn.

I dont know anything about going bitless, so just wanted to see if perhaps there was any preferences, or easier transitioning, for a horse exclusively ridden in a bit. I’ve always been too nervous to try riding in a halter, although he is sensible and I’m sure he would be fine! Took me 2 years to even try bareback hahaha…

I guess looking for something user friendly?? But seems like anything works.

[Janet]

My gray Conn x TB has melanomas (walnut sized) in both corner’s of ber mouth. The bit does not seem to bother her at all.

None the less, I sometimes ride her in a “home made” hackamore, which is just a dropped noseband with reins attached, and she goes fine in that too (though obviously I could not use it in a dressage show, or the dressage phase of a horse trial).

[Jack_richer]

@Janet

My gray Conn x TB has melanomas (walnut sized) in both corner’s of ber mouth. The bit does not seem to bother her at all.

None the less, I sometimes ride her in a “home made” hackamore, which is just a dropped noseband with reins attached, and she goes fine in that too (though obviously I could not use it in a dressage show, or the dressage phase of a horse trial). xender discord omegle

Western dressage allows a bosal at any age, I believe.

[Scribbler]

I switch between bits and bitless on the horses I ride.

I have ridden in a snaffle, a double bridle, a side pull, a bosal, a mechanical hackamore and a rope halter.

My experience is that you don’t get the finesse for lateral flexions and bends without a snaffle. You need to ride more off your seat. A sidepull and a halter give you a true opening rein but a bosal and a mechanical hackamore do not.

[Snowdenfarm]

@AZ TD

Sorry, if you ride HC at a recognized show, you must still follow all the USEF rules.

Agreed, but to me there is no point riding HC at a recognized show really.

[AZ_TD]

@Snowdenfarm

Agreed, but to me there is no point riding HC at a recognized show really.

Yes, pretty rare, I guess if your horse is wild and you want to get through a test and don’t want the score to count. Also, you have to clear it through show management, you can’t just decide at the last moment and tell the judge ;)!

[Mersidoats]

@Snowdenfarm

Agreed, but to me there is no point riding HC at a recognized show really.

Some people do it if they train with the judge - or have been trained by the judge within a certain time frame. If that judge is the only one S judge (or higher) at a small recognized show and if you’re riding an FEI test, you’re SOL - so you ride your test HC.

[Janet]

I agree. “HC” is mostly used when it is not legal for you to ride under THAT judge. Most common when there is a last minute (after closing date) change of judge.

[Scribbler]

Wierd spam reported.

[pinknemo13]

@MysticOakRanch

For competition, you can also check with schooling shows - some of them will waive equipment requirements. On the home schooling front - you can do pretty much anything you want! It is only if you are showing that you run into rules. I’ve seen people who can school all the upper level work in a halter or a bosal - so if you don’t need to compete, just find what works for your horse and move forward with it. If you clinic, make sure the clinician is OK with your equipment of choice… cartoonhd

yes you are right i agree 9apps