I have recently been trail riding my Tb in a western saddle and we are planning a trip to the Mts with some friends.
I really don’t need to ride her with a bit on the trails and it would be easier for her to eat on the mountain trip without one in her mouth.
She is very well trained and super responsive, I could probably just ride her in her halter lol!
So I need some recommendations for the gentlest thing to put on her nose.
Thanks!!
You could try the little S mecanical hackamore or the rope nose bosal used to gallop cutting colts.
I will check that out Bluey!
My personal favorite is the Flower Hackamore. I think they’re more comfortable than a little S hackamore and provide an easier line of communication. My mare is very responsive and soft mouthed, and she really did not enjoy the little S hackamore. I don’t think she liked the pressure sensations it provided and the Flower hackamore made a great alternative.
Little S hackamore, horses can graze with them, shanks generally don’t hang below their mouths:
https://reinsman.com/shop/bits-all/little-s-hackamore/
Here is a loping hackamore/bosal, made out of lariat rope, would be best single grass rope nose, but other will do:
Whatever you use, do teach your horse for a few days so you both are communicating well before going out there to just ride along and then need direction or control and horse maybe not being sure what you want.
The gentlest thing I think would be a side pull (examples: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Thinline_EZ_Harmony_Bitless_Noseband_Bridle_Converter/descpage-THEB.html and https://www.twohorsetack.com/p-131-sidepull-nosebandjumping-hackamore-made-from-beta-biothane.aspx). Whether that’s most effective is a question for you and your horse!
Check out the bitless options at www.equinnovations.ca
I trail ride in a bosal on my mare, but only short rides. I don’t think they are as comfortable for the horse as a softer nose bitless option like a sidepull or little S hack.
I’d go with a sidepull with a leather nose. Bosal’s are more harsh and have less lateral control.
If you ride with a mechanical hackamore you don’t have much direct rein, so your horse should know some neck rein. I sometimes use an old fashioned hackamore with long shanks but just a leather chin strap set quite loose and horses seem to appreciate it.
A side pull has direct rein but very little leverage to whoa. Excellent for horses not prone to bolt or dive for grass! You can do an emergency one rein stop in that.
Thanks everybody, I learned a lot, and have some good options to look at.
Pencil bosal. I would also agree with a side pull but you don’t get a lot of whoa with one.
