What type of bridle will create the least amount of pressure on poll ?Have tried bitless cross under ,hackamore ,side pull and regular dressage bridle without noseband and Sprenger double jointed.
Seems like the side pull gets tolerated best but not 100% sure.I realize each horse is different and other factors come into play but in general,what is the consensus ?
Adding this on second thought : for now i want to try and go bitless so i am wondering which type would be best for poll sensitivity
Usually an ergonomic bridle sits back a bit to release poll pressure.
Velociti Ergonomic Flash Bridle - StateLineTack.com
For my mare, the best thing is a size bigger browband.
Your bit choice can also help. A Baucher will not contribute to poll pressure, it takes it away. Other bits may not contribute to poll pressure, but they don’t remove it. Some give a lot of poll pressure. The mechanics differ based on the cheek, rein setup and mouthpiece. As an example, a double jointed Eggbutt snaffle has vastly different mechanics than a double jointed Pelham, even though the mouthpiece is the same.
Also, some food for thought… Have you had a chiropractor and body worker out? I realize not all poll sensitive horses are that way due to a physical condition, but it’s always something good to explore for extra relief.
yes i did ,body worker comes regulalrly,chiro just did a recheck 2 days ago.both encouraged me to try bitless to see if that helps
https://www.etsy.com/listing/653617481/leather-bridle-less-bit?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-pet_supplies-riding_and_farm_animals&utm_custom1=k_EAIaIQobChMI3p_B0cKCgQMVh0ZgCh38zQfBEAQYASABEgICQvD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_12560179802_118249009374_506995549655_aud-2087634399979:pla-353481983254_c__653617481_12768591&utm_custom2=12560179802&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3p_B0cKCgQMVh0ZgCh38zQfBEAQYASABEgICQvD_BwE
War bridle
One other issue is that sometimes the problem is a too-small browband that pulls the crown piece into the backs of the ears.
Just one more thing to obsess about!
You can get a bridle with a set back crownpiece, this one is very expensive but look for used or dupes: https://marystack.com/dyon-difference-flash-bridle/
Of course, it depends on what type of riding you do, and if it needs to be legal for showing.
i don’t show ,do mainly light ring work and trail
If “bitless cross under” means “Dr. Cook’s bitless” or similar, then it definitely involves poll pressure.
yes it is the dr. cook style and that one does not get tolerated well - the hackamore (forget the proper term for the style,one without shanks ) works best so far and the side pull
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