Bitless Bridles?

[gracecatherine14]

I have a horse that I always had a hard time finding bits that worked for him. I have tried rubber bits, an array of snaffles, bauchers, mild mylers etc. He has very good breaks and vary rarely gets strong (only occasionally when jumping or galloping on a trail). He takes the bit nicely when i’m bridling him (doesn’t throw his up to put the bit in when being bridled) but he often constantly fusses with it, chewing, grinding teeth, and when ridden often avoids the bit and has a hard time relaxing in the contact. He has been checked by chiro vet saddle fitter dentist etc and he is fine. He has come leaps and bounds since I bought him, but I was really curious to try him bitless to see if it may help him relax. I recently rode him as normal, but with a halter and reins and although seemed a bit confused at first, seemed to just relax way more when being ridden. I really want to try to a bitless bridle to see if he’s happier (we aren’t showing much, so show legal isn’t an issue). I’m been looking into the Dr. Cook’s and also found that thinline makes a noseband converter that seems a bit cheaper to try. I’m a bit wary of the english hackamore since I haven’t ridden a horse in a hackamore before.

Just wondering to see whose tried it, did it help, and which bridle you prefer? I also want to know did you have problems when doing any ridden work with it such as getting a horse somewhat round (i’m not talking about intense dressage lol more so just helping a horse carry himself correctly), bending, jumping, etc.

[PrincessPonies]

I’ve never seen the thinline version but I ride my horse bitless. When I was thinking about switching I ride in a halter multiple times to make sure it was a good option. When I was looking at what to get I learned that some horses don’t like the crossing pressure that the Dr. Cook’s bridle. If you can find one to borrow that might help, I did and found my mare was one of the ones that didn’t like it. As for the hackamore I’ve used one on another horse and didn’t have an issue. I ended up with the Rambo Multibridle and it has been working well for me. I do keep a bridle with a bit for when I feel I need it but I haven’t used it in the last year or so.
To be honest if you aren’t showing right now I would just ride in the halter for a while. Good luck in your search.

[Texarkana]

If he is well behaved in just a halter, a plain English sidepull may do the trick.

I went to google an example and realized that the Thinline you reference is the same style I was referring to:

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Thinl…page-THEB.html

Mine is a different brand, but the same basic idea. Mine looks like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kincade-Hacka…ping+hackamore

I don’t think mine is the Kincade brand (I thought mine was Tory, but not sure), but I have the same problem about it running large. If there had been a smaller size available, I could have used it.

[gracecatherine14]

@Texarkana

If he is well behaved in just a halter, a plain English sidepull may do the trick.

I went to google an example and realized that the Thinline you reference is the same style I was referring to:

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Thinl…page-THEB.html

Mine is a different brand, but the same basic idea. Mine looks like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kincade-Hacka…ping+hackamore

I don’t think mine is the Kincade brand (I thought mine was Tory, but not sure), but I have the same problem about it running large. If there had been a smaller size available, I could have used it.

Thanks! If you don’t mind would you be able to send a picture of it on your horse? The brand you have is a bit more affordable but the picture online isn’t the best.

EDIT: Sorry just saw you didn’t have the kincade one!

[HereComesZach]

I switch back and forth between bitless and bitted riding with most of horses. I originally tried it with a VERY fussy-mouthed OTTB, figuring it might help (fun fact: he hated pressure on his nose more than he hated a bit.)

I did a lot of research and really wanted to steer clear of any of the leveraged noseband hackamores; as well as any of the pully-style cross under bitless bridles. I tried the micklem bridle as a bitless, but I could never get the micklem to fit my horse’s head, with or without a bit.

For the sake of cost, I next tried this simple side-pull from Schneiders: https://www.sstack.com/Billy-Royal-Training-Tack/Billy-Royal-Padded-Nose-Leather-Sidepull/

It is nice enough for what it is, but a couple of my horses are really sensitive about pressure on their poll/behind their ears. I also found that for english riding, it tended to twist a bit into their eyes.

I finally realized I preferred a couple of specific things for a bitless sidepull:

• Padded crown and noseband
• 3 point 'triangle' connection from noseband to cheekpiece as a stabilizer
• Throatlatch that connected below the cheekbone (a la the micklem) and could be tightened like the noseband, also for stability

I found examples of this that I could by, such as this one by Lindell, but felt they were pretty expensive: http://www.ttouch.com/shop/index.php?productID=235

I actually ended up sending in my design ideas to Gary Mundy (the stirrup leather guru,) and he helped me design and build a custom bitless bridle for me. I love that thing. I use it for all kinds of situations: low-key days where I might just want to go for a quick walk-ride with my horses; days where I want to ‘check-in’ to see how they are learning to carry themselves without a bit; re-training horses who are defensive to the bit; etc etc. I have trail ridden, and w/t/c in it. I would gladly jump with it, but the horse I usually use it on isn’t strong enough to jump consistently yet.

Here is a recent pic of my mare wearing the bridle. I was just hopping on shortly because I am recovering from a broken rib, and she had recently had her stifles injected, so we were just going to walk for a bit:

https://imgur.com/a/iczzL

[gracecatherine14]

@PrincessPonies

IWhen I was looking at what to get I learned that some horses don’t like the crossing pressure that the Dr. Cook’s bridle. If you can find one to borrow that might help, I did and found my mare was one of the ones that didn’t like it. ]

Thanks! That’s what had me concerned about the Dr. Cook’s as well. I may try a halter like you suggested for a couple more days just to be 100% sure

[gracecatherine14]

@HereComesZach

I actually ended up sending in my design ideas to Gary Mundy (the stirrup leather guru,) and he helped me design and build a custom bitless bridle for me. I love that thing. I use it for all kinds of situations: low-key days where I might just want to go for a quick walk-ride with my horses; days where I want to ‘check-in’ to see how they are learning to carry themselves without a bit; re-training horses who are defensive to the bit; etc etc. I have trail ridden, and w/t/c in it. I would gladly jump with it, but the horse I usually use it on isn’t strong enough to jump consistently yet.

Here is a recent pic of my mare wearing the bridle. I was just hopping on shortly because I am recovering from a broken rib, and she had recently had her stifles injected, so we were just going to walk for a bit:

https://imgur.com/a/iczzL

Just curious how much did it cost for you to have it made? It’s so gorgeous!

[Texarkana]

@gracecatherine14

Thanks! If you don’t mind would you be able to send a picture of it on your horse? The brand you have is a bit more affordable but the picture online isn’t the best.

EDIT: Sorry just saw you didn’t have the kincade one!

I don’t think I have a picture of it on my horse. I don’t use it often, it’s not the best option for my current mount. But it basically looks like this picture I found via google:

http://www.galadriel.shaftnet.org/ho…hackamore.jpeg

(not my horse, not my photo)

[GreyDes]

I tried Dr. Cook’s on two different horses for trail riding. It worked well for one and was completely unusable on the other. As others have said, it puts more pressure on the poll and not all horses like it. You’ll definitely want to try it before buying if possible.

There are are a lot of sidepull options out there if your horse has good brakes.

Here are a few options from Riding Warehouse - http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/SidepullBitlessHackamore_Bridles/catpage

I haven’t tried this personally, but have heard good things about the Zilco hackamore as a mild bit alternative. You could use this on your existing bridle. http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Zilco_Flower_Hackamore/descpage-ZFH.html

[Inclined]

Exselle also makes a jumping “hackamore” noseband: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/…re-havana-full. I have one of these and one of the Tory’s (https://www.cheshirehorse.com/jumping-hackamore). The Exselle version is flatter, and the Tory rounder. The Exselle is more of a dark oil with a red tint, while the Tory is more of a chocolate brown. Smith Worthington also makes one: http://www.smithworthington.com/inde…d=630&mobile=0. I also have this one. It looks like a flat noseband only in the photo, but between the layers of leather is a cord, so it has a little more “oomph” IF you need it.

I really love all three of these and will probably never go back to bits again, unless I have a horse that prefers one. My horses have been so much more relaxed and able to focus with these nosebands. BTW, I have very light hands and an independent seat, so it’s not that I’m balancing on my hands or am rough with their mouths. I think it’s simply more comfortable for a lot of horses to go without a bit.

[Scribbler]

@HereComesZach

I switch back and forth between bitless and bitted riding with most of horses. I originally tried it with a VERY fussy-mouthed OTTB, figuring it might help (fun fact: he hated pressure on his nose more than he hated a bit.)

I did a lot of research and really wanted to steer clear of any of the leveraged noseband hackamores; as well as any of the pully-style cross under bitless bridles. I tried the micklem bridle as a bitless, but I could never get the micklem to fit my horse’s head, with or without a bit.

For the sake of cost, I next tried this simple side-pull from Schneiders: https://www.sstack.com/Billy-Royal-T…ther-Sidepull/

It is nice enough for what it is, but a couple of my horses are really sensitive about pressure on their poll/behind their ears. I also found that for english riding, it tended to twist a bit into their eyes.

I finally realized I preferred a couple of specific things for a bitless sidepull:

• Padded crown and noseband
• 3 point 'triangle' connection from noseband to cheekpiece as a stabilizer
• Throatlatch that connected below the cheekbone (a la the micklem) and could be tightened like the noseband, also for stability

I found examples of this that I could by, such as this one by Lindell, but felt they were pretty expensive: http://www.ttouch.com/shop/index.php?productID=235

I actually ended up sending in my design ideas to Gary Mundy (the stirrup leather guru,) and he helped me design and build a custom bitless bridle for me. I love that thing. I use it for all kinds of situations: low-key days where I might just want to go for a quick walk-ride with my horses; days where I want to ‘check-in’ to see how they are learning to carry themselves without a bit; re-training horses who are defensive to the bit; etc etc. I have trail ridden, and w/t/c in it. I would gladly jump with it, but the horse I usually use it on isn’t strong enough to jump consistently yet.

Here is a recent pic of my mare wearing the bridle. I was just hopping on shortly because I am recovering from a broken rib, and she had recently had her stifles injected, so we were just going to walk for a bit:

https://imgur.com/a/iczzL

I ride bitless now and then.

The above are excellent design criteria for a bitless bridle. However this kind of side pull integrated into the bridle would need to be sized to the specific horse.

I use an old Western mechanical hackamore, or a para cord hand woven nose band I bought at a tack sake for $20.

I can’t use the noseband in summer because when horse dives to eat grass the noseband loses its bite

IME I can get much but not all of my horses self carriage in a bitless bridle, but I can’t progress her training. I can do more in a side pull than a hackamore because there is no direct rein in a leverage bit.

Obviously there is no contact in a bitless bridle.

I stopped riding in a rope halter because it was too loose and sloppy. The paracord nose band also shitfs too much for my liking.

I would like a stabilized side pull as illustrated above but first, the nice ones are pricier than is warranted by my use. Plus my horse has a head that’s too big for most western tack so they don’t fit.

I dislike the cross over designs because they do not release pressure promptly and the designers state on their website this is not a problem. Fail!

[Bogie]

@Scribbler

I dislike the cross over designs because they do not release pressure promptly and the designers state on their website this is not a problem. Fail!

I had one horse that vastly preferred bitless, mostly because of the shape of his mouth. I rode him in an “LG” bridle which is a sidepull with a slight leverage action. I think those are hard to find in the US now, but google “flower hackamore” and you’ll find something similar. For him, that was the perfect solution. I even foxhunted first flight using it. That horse hated the crossunder designs. They exerted too much poll pressure for him and he started rearing. I decided to listen to him instead of the manufacturers. I know other people who use them without problem so it all depends on what kind of pressure your horse responds well to.

I ride my mare in a flower Hackamore occasionally. It works well enough and i like giving her a break from the bit (and also how it makes me ride more with my seat). I’d never foxhunt her in it!

https://equineink.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/img_1386.jpg?w=1198&h=1598

My TB pays no attention to any kind of bitless bridle. I’m sure I could train him to accept it but he’s happy with his bit so I leave well enough alone.

I have several posts on my blog including reviews of different bitless bridles and my experiences with them: https://equineink.com/?s=bitless+bridle&submit=

[Foxtrot_s]

Friend of mine went bitless - used the cross-under-jaw type but had to put sheepskin under the jawbones. He was already quite well trained with a bit.

But I did notice that he went much softer, head dropped, he swung his shoulder and lengthened his stride in this
bitless (Dr Cook’s style) bridle. She has since gone away from this to a more suitable type for her horse.

I’ve also noticed that many horses need more arm strength and then there is that head tossing when doing a downward
transition. If a person could train for a lighter horse, using the seat and weight, this would not be so obvious. I think the bitless arrangement is ideal for trail riding, horse can snack and go along relaxed. Jumping - no accidental bangs on the mouth… they have their uses. My horse is pretty light so I just use a plastic bit and have not made any changes.

[gracecatherine14]

@Inclined

Exselle also makes a jumping “hackamore” noseband: https://www.jefferspet.com/products/…re-havana-full. I have one of these and one of the Tory’s (https://www.cheshirehorse.com/jumping-hackamore). The Exselle version is flatter, and the Tory rounder. The Exselle is more of a dark oil with a red tint, while the Tory is more of a chocolate brown. Smith Worthington also makes one: http://www.smithworthington.com/inde…d=630&mobile=0. I also have this one. It looks like a flat noseband only in the photo, but between the layers of leather is a cord, so it has a little more “oomph” IF you need it…

Thanks so much! I definitely will look into this style. Just wondering is there a rule of thumb of how high these nosebands should go? I didn’t see anything on the website.

[gracecatherine14]

Also thanks so much to everyone on the suggestions! Everyone has been very helpful

[Inclined]

I usually position mine about halfway between the corner of the mouth and the bottom edge of the cheekbone. (Someone else may have more definite directions.). Mostly I try to avoid placing it too low on the nose where the bones get thinner.

[Sleipnir]

My gelding has always been bitless and over the years I’ve narrowed down his preferences - the crown piece of his bridle has to be anatomical and he prefers poll pressure to anything else, but HATES too much pressure on his nose OR the head-hugging kind of action that the cross-unders present - so we were left with anything shankless. Out of the shankless LG and the Orbitless, I noticed that he goes much better in the Orbitless in its’ poll-pressure hackamore setting (can be re-set to a sidepull as well), so that’s what we’ve been using the last few years. He goes in it fabulously, be it dressage or jumping, and I just switch the reins one notch up for fast hacking or driving. I really love how the Orbitless piece never digs into his cheeks and generally stays off his face even with stronger lateral rein action, and the release is instant.

[Sunflower]

My OTTB goes bitless in a rope halter. He was very fussy mouthed with his bits, having tried all kinds. The first bitless ride-- different horse. Tension and anxiety gone. So-- that is the direction we have gone. My bitless riding is not different than with a bit in terms of riding into contact, getting a soft feel, collection, etc. With the tension and fussing gone from the mouth, my horse can now do these things which were difficult, if not impossible, when he was fussing with the bit, and with the tension that came along with that.

We jump, hack, do flat work, etc, when bitless. I am going to have to put a bit back on when I do some local shows ( as their rules prohibit bitless) but other than that, I do whatever bitless.

[pony_baloney]

I’ve been using one of these for a few years and really like it: http://www.mossrockendurance.com/view_product.asp?category_ID=1&prod_ID=12 It looks like leather and is easy to care for. I use my own leather and web reins.

[RedHorses]

My second horse went very well in just a halter, but he hated the leverage hackamore. He would round up over his back and work in a dressage carriage very nicely, but I did have to beware of him attempting to lean on the contact. I made him a halter bridle cross that was snugger that his regular halter, and had a browband to help with stability.

My older horse goes well in a short shank English or jumping hackamore - with chain curb replaced by a leather curb. We have done everything in it from hacking out out, to jumping XC, hunter paces, and 2nd/3rd level dressage (though obviously not in competition for that last one).

I can carry a contact with it, and doing so has been very good training for me to learn to keep my contact balanced (as there is the tendency to lose the contact on one rein when we over focus on the other). “Contact” is simply taking the slack out of the curb so that the lightest rein aids may be felt by the horse. Too much pressure tends to piss off the horse and provoke head tossing.