Second vote for the Light Rider here. I didn’t like the Dr Cook because I found there was not enough release (it tended to ‘hold’ onto my horse’s head when I lightened my contact).
The Light Rider works well for all my horses. I usually use them for trail riding. My aids certainly aren’t subtle enough to do dressage training in them, but I would put that down to lack of rider skill 
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That is interesting that Thinline is now making that style of noseband. I have one of the generic leather ones in that style and then use the Thinline pole padding to provide additional cushioning. I have also used a sheepskin fuzzy. I haven’t shown my gelding in it but used it after he pinched his lip on a loose ring I had been using. He liked it and was good, including jumping around a course in a grass ring. I will try to find a pic of it as I am sure I have one somewhere.
Ditto the Dr. cook’s is not for every horse. I had one that loved the Dr. Cook’s. I loaned it to a friend who is also light with her hands and her horse would not tolerate it; both were Tennessee Walkers.
i have used a mechanical hackamore on another Tennessee Walker for 22 years. I tried several types of bits on him, I finally stopped wasting money and kept him in the hackamore.
Oh thank you! IIRC, it was just a bit < $100. I’ve been using it off and on for about 3 years now, and it still looks brand new! :encouragement:
Hi all! Thanks for all your suggestions. I know its been a few weeks, but wanted to give you a little update on everything. I ended up ordering the Smith Worthington jumping hackamore noseband that someone suggested on here. I’ve been riding in it for a few weeks and he is SO much more relaxed. I can ride him on a very loose rein now and he barely lifts his head high anymore/gets tense and just seems happier to be ridden. He literally stuffs his face in the bridle when I tack him up. I have even jumped him in it and he was very respectful of it and didn’t get strong at all (he normally does when I jump him with a bit, so I was very shocked!)
So overall, bitless was the way to go for him. I’m tempted to order the orbitless with my next paycheck as this particular noseband tends to move the cheek pieces close to his eyes at time, and i’ve heard it’s a bit more stable on the face.
Thanks all for your suggestions once again!
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