Hilason bitless bridle

[Scribbler]

[QUOTE=ivym;8674813]
There were a couple of suggestions for the sidepull at Moss Rock Endurance. But, what’s the difference with the Freedom Bridle?

http://www.mossrockendurance.com/view_product.asp?category_ID=1&prod_ID=5[/QUOTE]

From this website, the Freedom Bridle can be configured in several ways, including as a sidepull or as a cross-under chin, or with a bit.

A sidepull is essentially a stabilized halter: a noseband, with the reins attached to the sides of the noseband. This allows you to use a direct-style English rein, unlike a bosal, where the reins attach under the chin.

I have used a sidepull extensively to problem-solve with my mare, but am now back on a snaffle. IME, you cannot really ride on contact with a bitless bridle. You can achieve collection, stretch, flex, etc, but more from leg and seat than hands.

I agree that I do not like the design of the cross-under-chin bitless bridles. The Dr. Cook website addressed the issue of slow release from pressure by saying that it didn’t matter, which was IMO the wrong answer.

However the sidepull is a very mild bridle. If you cannot ride your horse safely in a halter, you cannot ride it safely in a sidepull. On the other hand, many horses can be ridden safely in a halter, at least in the arena, though most people never try.

But it isn’t as seamless as just going from one snaffle to another.

And, like any bit, if your hands are unstable, if you are balancing yourself on with the reins, or if you are giving erratic cues, the horse will get “numb” and ignore the cues in future. So if your problem is that you are forced to balance on the reins, the neckstrap is a good idea, or switch to a western saddle and western no-contact riding so that you are more secure in your seat and can throw away your hands (well, what would be considered throwing away your hands in English riding).

A dressage seat, bridle, and style of riding may not be optimum for someone with compromised physical function, which I say aware that paraolympians compete only in dressage. But if you aren’t on that competition path, maybe riding Western would be safer and more comfortable.

The other option is a western mechanical hackamore, which has a lot of pressure and a quick release. But it is not a soft bit, and would require as much finesse as any metal bit. Plus you cannot ride on contact with a mechanical hackamore.

[RedmondDressage]

I pinged my friend who is a para rider to see if she has encountered any good options out there - here is her advice… She says it kind of depends on what the issue is. If it’s more of a strength or grip issue you can use loops or ladders. If its a limb control issue a grab strap is the way to go. She said in her experiences a bitless/sidepull/etc will likely be as difficult for the horse, possibly more so than a traditional bridle.

[ivym]

My problem is (which you can’t really understand - I don’t) is that I feel like I’m gonna fall off, if I sit up straight. Instead, I tilt to the side. My reins are in my left hand and my right hand has a death grip on the handle that’s in place of a horn in a western saddle.

[Bogie]

I would try a sidepull style bridle. The aids are not as subtle as they are with a bit which means you need to ride more with your legs and back. But it means if your hands aren’t as steady, you are not sending a lot of mixed messages to your horse.

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=ivym;8676111]
My problem is (which you can’t really understand - I don’t) is that I feel like I’m gonna fall off, if I sit up straight. Instead, I tilt to the side. My reins are in my left hand and my right hand has a death grip on the handle that’s in place of a horn in a western saddle.[/QUOTE]

Does this happen other times or just on the horse, how about sitting in a chair, riding a bike?

I know a few people who rode with a very forward tilted upper body until they started dressage. When they had to sit upright, they all said they felt like they were going to fall off. As they rewired their muscle memory the feeling went away.

Have you tried lunge lessons with your eyes closed? First few times at a halt then when you are ready at a slow walk. You would need a very qualified instructor’s help.

Edited to add: Ivym, I just saw your post on another thread. I understand now that you are dealing with an injury, and my suggestions may not be appropriate for your needs.

Does the horse you ride neck rein? That may make a sidepull or a hackamore more effective.

[ivym]

I think I do need to rewire my brain. The wheelchair I am sitting in has a contoured back, but I ALWAYS sit straight in that. The saddle I’ll use is treeless and lunge lessons without stirrups but with the saddle and the handle might be what I need.

I was also gonna get a Hilason protective vest. But you guys didn’t think Hilason was a good idea - what about their vest?

[Scribbler]

A cross-country protective vest does seem like a good idea; don’t know my way around the brands. I know all helmets are certified to a certain standard, not sure about the world of vests.

[csaper58]

Maybe ask on Eventing forum about vests?

[Wicky]

Have you read The Ghost in My Brain? It is the story of a man who had a severe TBI, and how he did manage to rewire his brain. Took the help of people who really understood the issues. He had some visual problems related to balance too.

[LookmaNohands]

Robin Bernhard works with people who have had TBI and related injuries to “rewire” their brains.

http://www.bbbxpress.com/virginia_center_for_neurofeedback_attachment__trauma

[Bogie]

I would not buy a Hilalson protective vest. I would buy a Charles Owen or Tipperary vest (used by eventers).

[Pocket_Pony]

[QUOTE=ivym;8676397]
I think I do need to rewire my brain. The wheelchair I am sitting in has a contoured back, but I ALWAYS sit straight in that. The saddle I’ll use is treeless and lunge lessons without stirrups but with the saddle and the handle might be what I need.

I was also gonna get a Hilason protective vest. But you guys didn’t think Hilason was a good idea - what about their vest?[/QUOTE]

I haven’t looked at your other posts, so I’m not exactly sure what your physical issues are, but if you are having trouble with balance and stability, a treeless saddle might not be your best bet. Depending on the horse you are riding and the pad setup, a treeless saddle might feel more bouncy to you so you could actually have some difficulty finding your balance. And a treeless saddle may also allow you to continue to be crooked more than a treed saddle would. A saddle with a tree will offer you more stability as a rider, if that is something you are struggling with.

I have ridden in both treed and treeless saddles, and while the treeless was helpful with some issues of mine (chronic back pain), it offers no help in the stability department.

[ivym]

Treeless for fit issues with a really wide-backed horse.

[Inclined]

Another bitless alternative which I don’t think anyone’s mentioned yet is a “jumping hackamore”. It’s not really a hackamore at all, but a stiffened noseband (a little like the one on the ttouch bridle but wider). Here it is: https://www.horseloverz.com/english-horse-tack/english-horse-bridles/bridle-pieces/tory-leather-jumping-hackamore . It fits on the bridle where the bit would go normally, and you just remove the bridle’s noseband. This is my young horse’s favorite, and it functions like a sidepull with just a little bit extra “stop.”

[Tiffani_B]

What about buying a horse that neck reins instead of direct reins? Or having someone teach the horse to neck rein? That way you can ride in a halter and not worry about anything in the horse’s mouth. If the horse is trained to whoa by voice command, you’d never have to make any contact with the mouth at all.

And FYI, just because you put a bitless bridle or hackamore or any of these other suggestions on a horse, doesn’t mean the horse will know what to do with it if they are used to a bit. Is someone going to train the horse to respond to a new style of communication?

Me, I’d go with a neck reining horse. Might mean you end up with a western horse, but that doesn’t really matter for your purposes. You aren’t going to show and are going to mostly walk. You probably want a horse that’s wired more to the “slow” end of the spectrum anyways, which would be a western horse. I also suggested in your other thread you look at getting an older horse, late teens or early 20s. They are more inclined to go slow or stop if things get scary and less inclined to test their riders. You’ll get much more enjoyment out of a safe ride!

[Salty]

My pony loves that jumping hackamore & haated the Hilazon. The Appendix hated the jumping hack with a passion & loves his loose ring French bradoon.

Please get a certified vest. And maybe do a hunt for a deep seated dressage saddle that will fit your horse.

Good luck! Check out the Riders with Disabilities forum also.

[ivym]

I steered away from quarter-type breeds because of their low bone mass and poor feet. I don’t really know whether I’m going for Western or not. The saddle I picked out is Western. Has to be. I can’t cope with leathers. Dressage is a way of living, not a look - to me.

[arlosmine]

The freedom rider is another version of the cross under type that everyone has said they didn’t like. Neither do I for all of the same reasons. Get a side pull. The Ttouch one looks particularly well designed.

[Foxtrot_s]

Ivy: Do you not have a person familiar with your needs or limitations?
Are you with a para group? I would think they could offer you more than us.
Usually, we put our riders on made, steady eddy horses, so they know most of what is required of them.

[Tiffani_B]

[QUOTE=ivym;8681817]
I steered away from quarter-type breeds because of their low bone mass and poor feet. I don’t really know whether I’m going for Western or not. The saddle I picked out is Western. Has to be. I can’t cope with leathers. Dressage is a way of living, not a look - to me.[/QUOTE]

ANY horse can be trained to neck rein. Saddlebreds, warm bloods, OTTB, doesn’t matter the breed. Heck, my saddle seat and hunter horse are both able to direct rein and neck rein. I teach all of mine to neck rein because it’s useful.