Bitless Bridle Recommendations

[Inclined]

Some horses we’ve had prefered the short-shanked “English” hackamore like this one: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/cp-hackamore-nose . The circular/star/sun/flower wheel hackamores are similar but with a little more lateral control: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Zilco_Flower_Hackamore/descpage-ZFH.html .

Probably my favorite is the jumping hackamore noseband: https://www.bigdweb.com/product/tory+leather+jump+hackamore.do . This one acts like a sidepull, but with a bit more authority.

Another that I like for horses that already have plenty of “whoa” is this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Official-Libbys-SCAWBRIG-Bitless-Bridle-Mini-Small-Pony-Pony-Cob-Full-X-Full/122045211249?hash=item1c6a762271%3Am%3AmI2ly_B39mGTWoZbBcyIULg&var=421063027852 . It’s a scawbrig, which exerts pressure only under the chin, and the material is soft. They come in lots of color choices, and there are matching rubber lined reins, too. They can be thrown in the washing machine when necessary. (For anyone interested, shipping was quick. I live on the east coast, and shipping from Britain was less than a week.)

I’ve also tried Dr. Cook’s and the Micklem bitless options, but the ones listed above are my favorites.

[leheath]

I trail ride and jump (stadium and cross country) in a PS of Sweden “english hackamore” (like the one linked in the post right above mine, but with a sheepskin lined noseband and plain leather chin strap instead of a chain). The sheepskin and leather strap ensure that my exceptionally skin-sensitive horse doesn’t get rubs even during longer rides.

My horse also goes well in the Micklem bridle (bitted or bitless) - I especially like the multiple bitless options available as it can be just a straight side pull (not ideal for my horse) or there is a chin strap option that worked super well for my horse (very similar to the Ebay scawbrig from Libby’s Tack also linked in the post right above mine - as a side note, I love Libby’s Tack!). I think you can get the Micklem with a cross under version too (similar to the Dr Cook’s?), but I’ve never had a horse go well in that configuration (perhaps because all my horses direct rein only as I’m an eventer and they have to go in a snaffle for dressage so the different feel of the cross under bitless bridles is confusing?).

I’ve tried several of the circular kind of bitless bridles (flower, LG, Zilco, wheel, etc.) but found them all to not give quite the right feel or finesse my horse and I prefer and not provide quite enough “whoa” when my horse gets amped up (eg. jumping cross country!).

[firecracker]

Another vote for the Little S hack here.

Mine has a beta biothane noseband with padding and a beta biothane chin strap, so it’s quite mild. I primarily rode in a rope halter on the trail with my previous horse, but prefer the Little S on my current horse. She can be quite spooky/flighty and the Little S hack’s leverage is helpful in those moments.

I’ve also ridden in a bosal quite a bit. Bosals are great, but you have to be very careful to get a quality bosal and make sure it’s adjusted correctly. If you go that route, I’d recommend reading up on types of bosals and how to use them properly.

For English-style bitless riding, I have a Micklem and a friend loves her flower hackamore.

There are a lot of good options out there!

[Bogie]

@Inclined

Some horses we’ve had prefered the short-shanked “English” hackamore like this one: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/cp-hackamore-nose . The circular/star/sun/flower wheel hackamores are similar but with a little more lateral control: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Zilco_Flower_Hackamore/descpage-ZFH.html .

Probably my favorite is the jumping hackamore noseband: https://www.bigdweb.com/product/tory+leather+jump+hackamore.do . This one acts like a sidepull, but with a bit more authority.

Another that I like for horses that already have plenty of “whoa” is this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Official-Libbys-SCAWBRIG-Bitless-Bridle-Mini-Small-Pony-Pony-Cob-Full-X-Full/122045211249?hash=item1c6a762271%3Am%3AmI2ly_B39mGTWoZbBcyIULg&var=421063027852 . It’s a scawbrig, which exerts pressure only under the chin, and the material is soft. They come in lots of color choices, and there are matching rubber lined reins, too. They can be thrown in the washing machine when necessary. (For anyone interested, shipping was quick. I live on the east coast, and shipping from Britain was less than a week.)

I’ve also tried Dr. Cook’s and the Micklem bitless options, but the ones listed above are my favorites.

My favorite is the flower hackamore style – also called the LG bridle or the orbitless. I’ve also had success with the Micklem. None of my horses have liked the cross under design like the Dr. Cook’s.