Take that,Grim Reaper

[HPFarmette]

I got a new horse. Some may know I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer so after my darling paint horse died in August I thought maybe my horse owning life was coming to an end.

But then again, hailll no!

Got a 20 year old tri color paint mare. She goes in a bitless bridle. I love that but I don’t know how to fit it. How snug should the nose band be, do you even call it that, the part that the reins attach to?

Thanks in advance and yes I am now very happy.

[Fiesta01]

I know nothing about bitless bridles. Just wanted to say congratulations!! Wishing you many happy years together.

[cilla1]

Congratulations on your new horse!

I usually can fit two fingers between her chin and the strap (Is that the right term? English is not my first language! Anyway the part of the noseband below the horse’s head, where the strap closure is)

[Bonnie2]

Depends partly on the particular hackamore you are using and partly on the mare. If the noseband is soft and there is no leverage, fit it like a bridle noseband. If the noseband is stiff or there is leverage about two fingers of looseness. A photo is needed to be more accurate. Congratulations on your mare! Fie on the Grim Reaper!

[Zu_Zu]

Thrilled with your new paint mare news ~ (my paint mares ~ Shetland pony through horse mare) have always helped me ‘weather’ the ‘storms’ in my life ~

Please share her name ~ and does she have a sister ? I could benefit from a new paint mare too ~

Sending Jingles & AO for you two to enjoy the beautiful fall season together ~

[glitterless]

Congrats on your new mare!!!

[cayuse]

Congratulations! Do you have pictures? Love to see her!

[reefy]

Here, here to many more years together! And yes, we need pictures of the beautiful new girl!

[cristalle]

Wonderful, I am so glad you found each other and hope you have many happy, healthy, years together!
(I know nothing about bitless bridles either, sorry.)

[TWH_Girl]

Congratulations to you! My friend uses a bit less bridle with her Arab. Maybe this article will help?

Getting Started | Happy Horses Bitless Bridles

[OverandOnward]

I also used the two fingers inside the strap with the bitless.

I find that it rides very much like a basic snaffle, once horse & rider are accustomed. The feel and response of the horse are not that different from a bit, imo. People who didn’t know us didn’t always register that the horse didn’t have a bit.

I suggest keeping the noseband well-padded, depending on how it wears on the horse. If she’s already used to it, though, it should be fine as-is.

[HPFarmette]

Thanks