Bitless Bridle Recommendations?

[Ajierene]

I use a side pull on the young guy I ride. We haven’t started using a bit with him and he seems happy and responsive with the side pull.
(not exactly, but almost like this)
https://www.statelinetack.com/products/tabelo-v-brow-sidepull-brown?variant=43799360438409&&srccode=GPSLT&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22158977702&gbraid=0AAAAADou2UwQZ1pfI6wB3DJb5N33ZtLCb&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu7TCBhCYARIsAM_S3NheSRuv3_JLpgXWC1eZ_K44OzZrxKRYinBsAP3qN3DbLxkRvtSEOt4aAo8fEALw_wcB

My friend has a Dr. Cook and her older gelding was always fine in it. The young guy didn’t go quite as well in it, though he wasn’t bad. Her mare is ok in it but seems more content with a regular bit bridle. We do have some issues with the nylon ones not sliding as well, so the release isn’t great.

My lady seemed very confused and annoyed. I think the cross under makes it feel somewhat like they are being pulled from the oppposite side and she’s like “why do your leg/seat aids say left but rein says right? Woman, get your act together!”

Dr. Cook: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/dr-cook-beta-bitless-bridle-12099?sku=2109747845&g_acctid=312-013-2860&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=google_nb_pmax_na_na_na_catchall_na_na_us_sr_na&g_campaignid=22569102382&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&utm_campaign=&utm_content=google_nb_pmax_na_na_na_catchall_na_na_us_sr_na&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22569126202&gbraid=0AAAAAD_uTlSOhKeqpFyBM343h0f0r-pQ9&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu7TCBhCYARIsAM_S3Nj2PsrdzdqX6qu-sMU8t3iXm464YojPntBkZNkJHmO9RmVvMgwPMiUaAuCFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[AMWookey]

Oh thank you! I am not the op but I have a mare who LOVEs bitless, but has a super sensitive face for rubbing, and bridles need to be just the right type of material, with just the right fit, or her sensitive TB face rubs i am going to try and find the thinline converter in Canada.

Right now we are bopping around in a rope halter bc that somehow doesn’t rub

[Paisley_Pony]

You’re welcome! Something else you might consider trying is a fleece noseband cover like this:
https://www.bigdweb.com/lemieux-merino-noseband-guard

or this:
https://www.bigdweb.com/jacks-fleece-shadow-roll-cover

I’m suggesting these because even the Thinline can rub a little on my mare.

[Ottbaxel]

Well thankfully my gelding’s weird aversion to the bit has gone away. Vet and I are still not sure what caused it-perhaps his cribbing collar making his poll painful, although it’s the same cribbing collar he’s worn for years. I swapped it out for a different one anyways, padded it up a bit, and he is thankfully in a paddock now where he doesn’t have anything to crib on during the day anyways so he can go outside without it.

That being said-I borrowed a few more different types of hackamores from friends after this post (a flower one, a western style one that should have theoretically been kind of strong, a side pull), and never really found one that worked for this guy. In the ring, I can steer from my legs and seat pretty well anyways, but hacking past xc jumps he would just point himself towards whatever fences piqued his interest and it was a bit tough to turn him away from them.

The only thing I haven’t tried yet is a bitless that crosses under the jaw. I have a friend that’s going to let me try theirs for giggles since they have one anyways, but I’d say out of the ones I did try, the flower hackamore was the best for him. Just in case anyone else finds this thread and thinks it’s helpful!