I’ve been having a lot of trouble finding the right bitless bridle for my horses. They like nose pressure, and from what I have seen I like the looks of the Happywheel bridle and the Meroth, but can’t seem to find them anywhere. Where could I get these? What other options are there?
If you wanna stick solely with nose pressure, I’d suggest a sidepull or a jumping hackamore, which is basically just a noseband you attach reins to. 
[QUOTE=HappyAltermas!;3765614]
If you wanna stick solely with nose pressure, I’d suggest a sidepull or a jumping hackamore, which is basically just a noseband you attach reins to. :)[/QUOTE]
I tried that and it works for the ring, but my horses can get a bit excited so it doesn’t offer enough for me to feel safe riding out on trails with them. I want something that just has a little bit more control if I need it.
Both the LG/Happywheel and Meroth bitless bridles are basicly working on chin or jaw pressure. Yes they have a noseband but when you pull back on the reins incresing pressure is applied under the jaw and it is this pressure that the horse gives to. This is basicly the same principle as a mechanical hackamore, (the LG actually has a curb chain) except the longer shanks of a mechanical hackamore can exert MORE pressure. the longer the shanks the more the pressure.
You could try an Indian Bosal which are inexpensive and easy to buy here in the USA. But you are like to find it’s not enough control in some situations. I ride one of my horses in a short shanked "English Hackamore: with a padded noseband and a wide, flat, english style curb chain. It gives me enough control for those hot headed moments and yet seems to be comfortable for the horse. The effects of this hackamore are milder than the longer shanked western mechanical hackamores and I can bend him laterally to the sides.
http://www.crazyropesbydebbie.com/ - Indian Bosal
Bonnie S.
Ditto on the mechanical English hackamore. I use a leather curb, like in the picture (not my horse), but no fleece cover.
I easily stop, steer and control my 2,000 lb, 17.3 Percheron… she DESPISES bits of any kind.
Double ditto to the mechanical English hackamore. I have a Sprenger with a padded leather noseband. Here is a link: http://http://www.beval.com/Products/Herm-Sprenger-English-Hackamore/2117002.aspx
Little S hackamore. Nose and chin pressure, none on the poll.
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/30/l_0e6f0538b52344e78507fd3bb0f46f74.jpg
in this one I’m asking him to come back to me a little, you can see the shank just rotates on the cheek piece, so there’s NO poll pressure. This horse hates poll pressure.
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/55/l_8d050efa311f4983875d0ff617f304d9.jpg
I ran side pulls on Strider for almost 17 years but found a bit lighter and switched to that near the end. Strider on left with my daughter
http://i41.tinypic.com/2ia6ipi.jpg
i got a bosal from the rope lady, works pretty well
I sometimes use a mechanical hack similar to the one choco posted. However, my horse started testing it (rooting) in the leather curb so I had to switch to the chain. Hopefully I can go back to the leather eventually.
I use a sidepull on my young TWH, she hates all bits( no problems with teeth that I can find) I modified it by removing it from the cheap bridle it was attached to ,including the upside-down ‘‘v’’ straps, so it’s just the rope nose, rings for bridle and reins, and chin strap so I can put it on my halterbridle. I use a Jim Warner hack on my older pony. It has 7’’ shanks that move independantly if you remove the slobber bar on the rein rings,this may not be the best for everybody but it works for us. She is 27 and she is very happy with this situation and that is all that matters to me.
Another vote for the english mechanical hackamore. I use one, and love it.
I also use one of the Indian bosals from Crazy Ropes. As far as it having enough control, that seems to depend on the horse. My sometimes-excitable young mare minds it very well (and she had issues with trying to blow me off if she thought she could), but one of my friends who also has one feels that it has no “whoa” on her older gelding (who is the steadiest horse in the world, but was used to a giant mechanical hack). In our cases I think it just got down to what the horse liked and/or was used to. I trail ride all over with mine and both the horse and I are very happy with it.
Here are my experiences with bitless. These are copied from articles posted on my blog.
I’m going to add one on the mechanical hackamores I’ve tried soon.
Dr. Cook’s
LG Bridle
Micklem Multibridle Part I, Part II
Bitless Bridle Comparison
I use the the Little S on my NSH gelding. He is pretty hot, but I’ve learned to control him. I’ve even added a wool cover to the rope noseband to make it softer.
I ust rock it back and forth if he gets a little hot.
I also use the Little S hackamore on my mustang, who can be pretty strong sometimes. I wrap the rope nose with a
layer of vet wrap.
He doesn’t like the Dr. Cooks bridle At All-tosses his head.
Does ok with bits (snaffles so far) but does better with the little S hack.
I also use an English hackamore, similar to the one pictured with leather curb. The only difference is that the nose band has fleece on the inside and I add a fleece halter piece to keep the fleece on the nose band from packing down and rubbing my mare’s nose. My horse is a 15.2 and 1/2 hand TB mare(chestnut to boot) hehe. I have absolutely no problems with control.
I like the s hackamore because it is so light and simple. The only time I have an issue with it, is if my horse really wants to go, like the start of an endurance ride. there is not much leverage, so the half halts aren’t as effective and you can get into some tug of wars. But 99% of the time, its great.
I also have a big ol’ mechanical hackamore with really long shanks. I used it for a long time with my endurance gelding but switched to the “s” because its so much smaller and lighter. Lots of people seemed to think the big hack was mean but regardless of how strong my horse got, I could do a tiny, tiny half halt and bring him back. Definitely not for those with heavy hands though!
Bitless Options???
Hi There,
I use a bitless bridle called “Freedombridle” which I bought from Moss Rock Endurance. I have been riding with it for the past 3 years and used it on any horse I know including a green, track broke only race horse (OTTB). I have used this bridle on horses that had not been ridden in a bitless ever.
Here is the weblink. They are about $80 and you can chose many colors;
http://www.mossrockendurance.com/view_product.asp?category_ID=1&prod_ID=18
Ask me any questions. I would be happy to help.
I use the Neutural Bitless bridle and have started several horse with it. I use it on my own horse.
